The originals the loss by julie plec

Familyispower.TheOriginalvampirefamilysworeit
toeachotherathousandyearsago.Theypledgedto
remaintogetheralwaysandforever.Butevenwhen
you’reimmortal,promisesarehardtokeep.
Afterahurricanedestroyedtheircity,Klaus,ElijahandRebekahMikaelson
haverebuiltNewOrleanstoevengreaterglory.Theyearis1766.Thewitches
liveonthefringesinthebayou.Thewerewolveshavefled.Butstill,Klaus
isn’tsatisfied.Hewantsmore.Hewantspower.ButwhenKlausfinallyfinds
awitchwhowillperformaspelltogivehimwhathedesiresmost,she
secretlyusesKlaustounleashacurse—onethatbringsbackhundredsofher
ancestors—andbeginsawartoreclaimNewOrleans.Asthesiblingsfightoff
theattack,onlyonething’sforcertain—theresultwillbeabloodbath.


DearReader:
Sogladyou’vereturnedforthenextinstallmentofMikaelsondrama.While
youcantuneintotheCWtoseethepresent-dayKlaus,Elijah,andRebekah,
ourbelovedOriginalVampirefamily,theirpasthasabout1,000yearsworth
ofstoriestoshare.Youcanunearththesetales,courtesyofHQNBooks,in
associationwithAlloyEntertainment,intheirnewtrilogyofbooksthat
featurespartofthevasthistoryofTheOriginals.
Inthefirstbook,youwatchedaseachoftheMikaelsontriostruggledwith
theirvampirenaturesandtheircomplicatedheightenedemotionsinorderto
seekoutlove.Inthisbook,you’llfindtheMikaelsonsfortyyearsafterthey
landedinNewOrleans.They’vebanishedthewitchesandwerewolves,and
madethecitytheirperfecthome—yetofcourse,Klausstillisn’tsatisfied.
He’slosttheloveofhislifeandhewantsherbackatanycost.Butwhena
resurrectionspellbringsmorechaosandhorrorthanthesiblingsever
imagined,RebekahandElijahareforcedtofightanever-before-seenevil.

InTheOriginals:TheRise,TheLoss,andTheResurrection,you’llgettosee
sidesoftheMikaelsonvampiresyouneverknewexisted.Turnthepagefora
bookthathasalltheromance,murder,andmayhemoftheTVshow,anda
storythatwillkeepyouthirstingformore.
Withbestwishes,
JuliePlec
CreatorandExecutiveProducerofTheOriginals


CREATEDBYJULIEPLEC
basedon


Contents
PROLOGUE
CHAPTERONE
CHAPTERTWO
CHAPTERTHREE
CHAPTERFOUR
CHAPTERFIVE
CHAPTERSIX
CHAPTERSEVEN
CHAPTEREIGHT
CHAPTERNINE
CHAPTERTEN
CHAPTERELEVEN
CHAPTERTWELVE
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
CHAPTERFIFTEEN

CHAPTERSIXTEEN
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN


CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
CHAPTERNINETEEN
CHAPTERTWENTY
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE
CHAPTERTHIRTY
CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE
CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO
CHAPTERTHIRTY-THREE
EXCERPT
ABOUTTHEAUTHOR


PROLOGUE
1766
LILYLEROUXHADpromisedherselfthatshewouldn’tcry.Hermotherwould
neverhaveforgivenherforcrying.Lily’sjobwastolookstrongandpoisedin
herfittedblackdress,toacceptthecommunity’scondolenceswithout
seemingtoneedthem.ShewasinchargeofNewOrleans’switchesnow,or

whateverwasleftofthem.Shehadtoleadthem,notleanonthem.
Theycouldcertainlyusesomeguidance.Lily’smotherhaddoneherbestto
holdthewitchestogetheraftertheirhurricanehadrazedthecitytoits
foundationsmorethanfortyyearsago,butthelosshadbeencatastrophic.
Andtheguiltofhavingcausedsomuchdestruction...theguiltwasevenmore
devastating.
Inthemeantime,otherplayershadsteppedintothevoidofpowerleft
behindbythewitches.TheFrenchhadrecentlyhandedNewOrleansoverto
theSpanish,whohadchosentowhollyignoretheirnewterritory.Instead,it
wasthevampireswhohadtakenthereins.
TheMikaelsons—theOriginals,threeoftheveryfirstvampiresin
existence—hadmadetheirmoveatanidealtime.Elijah,Rebekah,and,worst
ofall,Klausnowruledthecity.Thewitcheshatedthemwithapassion,
althoughLilysuspectedthathermothernursedanoddsoftspotforthem.She
alwaysshutdownanytalkofretaliationbyremindingthemthatthewitches’
ownhandswereresponsiblefortheircurrentmisery.Iftheyhadn’ttriedto
seekrecklessrevengeagainstthewerewolvesforbetrayingtheirtruce,they
wouldn’tbesequesteredinthebackwatersofthebayou.
ButYsabelleDalliencourt’sblindloveforthevampiresmeantthather
funeralwasasorryshadowofwhatLilythoughthermotherdeserved.
Ysabellehadledherpeopleoutoftheruinedcityandkepttheircommunity
together;shehadcounseledthemagainstadestructivepathofwarandtaught
themtofocusonthemselvesandtheircraftratherthanonthewalking
abominationsthatsatontheirformerthrone.
Everyonestood,andLilyrosenumblywiththem.Sixwitchesliftedher
mother’swoodencasketontheirshoulders,andsheheardMargueritesobas
theycarrieditpast.Lilyrestedacomfortinghandonherdaughter’sthin
shoulder,andfoughttheburningbehindhereyes.
HermothershouldhavebeenenshrinedintheheartofNewOrleans,notin
thelittleshackthewitcheshadbuiltinthemidstofaswamp.TheOriginal

vampireswereresponsibleforthisslight,Lilyknew.Theycouldhave
forgiventhewitches’weakness,asthewitcheshadoncelookedpastthe
brutalityofthevampires.Instead,theMikaelsonshadtastedfreedomandran
withit,creatinganarmyofnewvampiresfromthehumansofNewOrleans
anddrivingthewitchesout.
ButLilywouldnotletasingletearescape.Ifshecried,itmeantthatthe
vampireshadwon—brokenherstrongspirit.Instead,Lilyforcedherselfto
seeYsabelle’spassingasasign.Itwastimeforanewera,achangingofthe
guard.Lilywassicktodeathofsubsistingunderthevampires’tyranny.The
Mikaelsonsneededtoanswerfortheirsins,andLilyLerouxintendedtomake
suretheypaidinfull.


CHAPTERONE
ITWASKLAUS’Skindofnight.Wineandbloodflowedfreely,andtherelaxed
companyandsummerheathadledtoaneasylooseningofeveryone’s
clothing.Hecouldonlyguesswhatwasgoingonupstairs,buthewouldleave
ittohisimaginationfornow.
Therewouldbetimeenoughtotakeitallin.Thatwasoneofthenice
thingsaboutbeingbothakingandanimmortal:Hecoulddowhateverhe
wanted,wheneverhewanted.Elijahtookcareoftherunningofthecity,
RebekahtookcareoftherunningoftheMikaelsons,andKlauswasfreeto
takecareofKlaus.
Carousingvampiresfilledeveryroomonthegroundfloor,andKlauscould
hearthepartycontinuingthroughtheceilingabove.Intheforty-oddyears
sincetheyhadtakenpossessionofadyinggunrunner’smodesthome,the
Originalvampireshaddoneagreatdealofaddingonandimproving,buteven
soitwasfilledtocapacity.Toeffectivelyruleoveracityfullofeageryoung

vampires,theMikaelsonsmightneedtomovetoalargerhome,butfinding
morelandwouldn’tbetheproblemitoncehadbeenforthem.Newproperty
waseasytocomebyinametropolisemptyofwerewolvesandwitches.
Mostofthewerewolveswhomanagedtosurvivethehurricaneand
explosionof1722haddriftedaway,andtheoneswhoremainedkepttheir
nosesdown.Thewitcheshadfaredabitbetter,butnotmuch:Theysquatted
outinthebayou,theirtasteforpowerbroken.NewOrleanswasessentially
freeofvermin.
DecadesafterVivianne’sdeath,itstillmadeKlaus’sguttwisttothinkof
whatthewitchesandwerewolveshaddonetoher.Thewaythewitcheshad
offeredherhandinmarriagetothewerewolves,asifheronlyvaluelayinher
heritageasthechildofbothclans.Aftersigningherlifeawayinapeace
treaty,thewerewolveshaddemandedmoreofhermindandheartatevery
turn.Shehaddiedtooyoung,stilltryingtomakeeverythingrightbetweenthe
factions.
Hepushedthosethoughtsawayandfinishedhiswhiskey.Hehadbeen
drinkingliberally,tryinghisbesttotrulyjoinintherevelryaroundhim.Yet
forty-fouryearslaterandhestillexpectedViviannetowalkthroughthedoor
andmakehimwholeagain.
“You’resoquiettonight,Niklaus.ShouldIgetyouanotherdrink?”A
buxomyoungvampirefellintoKlaus’slapwithagiggleandinterruptedthe


darkturnofhisthoughts.Herlong,strawberry-blondehairsmelledlike
orangeblossoms.Lisette,heremindedhimself.Shewaspartofthenewest
cropofrecruitstotheirlittlearmy,butshecarriedherselfwiththeeaseofa
vampirewhohadlivedforcenturies.Shedidnotseemintimidatedbythe
Originals,nordidshestrainherselftoimpressthem,andKlausfoundthat
indifferencemildlyoffensive.
Heblewstrandsofherlonghairawayfromhisface.“Wouldyouliketo

stillrecognizeyourselfbytheendofthenight?”heaskedher,anedgeof
dangerinhisvoice.
“Youunderestimateme.Iamdeepandmysterious,”Lisettetoldhim,with
amockseriousnessinherwide-setgrayeyes.“Comeupstairswithme,and
I’llproveittoyou.”
Klausbrushedherreddishhairasideandkissedhernecklingeringly.She
sighedandturnedalittle,givinghismouthbetteraccess.“Nottonight,love,”
hemurmured,travelingdowntohercollarbone.HowevergratingLisette’s
disingenuousnessmightbe,hehadtoadmitthatshehadabeautifulneck.
Acrosstheroom,anotherpairofvampiresmovedtogetherinasimilarway.
Watchingthem,KlauscontinuedtobrushLisette’slightlyfreckledskinwith
hislips,butitonlymadehimfeelhollow.Hecouldgothroughthemotions,
buthecouldn’tbeconsumedbythem.Nomatterhowfarhewandereddown
thepathofdebauchery,hecouldn’tquitegetlost.
HewantedVivianneback.Thatwasthesimple,scaldingtruthofthematter.
Hehadtriedtoburyherandtriedtomournandtriedtomoveon,becausehe
knewthatwashowdeathwassupposedtowork.Hehadseenitcountless
times,eventhoughnoonewouldeverbeforcedtomournthelossofhim.His
motherhadbeenawitch,histruefatherhadbeenawerewolf,andtosavehim
fromdeath,hismotherhadmadehimavampire.Klauswouldneverdie.
Itwasuselesstocomparehimselftootherpeople.NiklausMikaelsonwas
nevergoingtoaccepttheworkingsofnormal,mortaldeath.Itwasstupidand
beneathhim.IfhewantedVivianneLescheresathisside,rulingNewOrleans
ashisqueenforeternity,whyshouldthatbeanimpossibledemand?
Lisetteshiftedagain,ratherenjoyably,tryingtobringhisfullattentionback
toher.Itwasnouse,though.“MapetiteLisette,youdonotwanttotangle
withmetonight,”hesaid,slidingherbackontoherfeet.
“Asyouwish,”shesaidbeforesaunteringoff,glancingoverhershoulder
tomakesureKlauswaswatchinghergo.Hewas,ofcourse—itwasasimple
courtesyafterrejectingheradvances.Andthebackofherwasjustaseasyon

theeyesasthefront.
Heeasedhimselfupoutofhischairandslippedoffintheopposite
direction.Afewvoicescalledafterhimashemovedthroughthedimlylit


rooms,whichwerefullofsharpteeth,ringinglaughter,andsensuouslimbs.
Heignoredthem,havingfinallyrealizedwherehewantedtospendthisnight.
Heclimbedtheornatespiralstaircase,linedwitharedsilkcarpetthat
RebekahhadorderedfromtheFarEast.Ashepassedbyseveralbedrooms,
heheardhisnamecalledagain,butthistimeinsofter,throatiervoices.He
resistedtheimpulsetolookthroughthedoorsthathadbeencarelessly—or
deliberately—leftopen,makinginsteadforasmallstaircaseatthebackofthe
house.
Klaushadaskedhissiblingstokeepitprivate,andsoRebekahhadpicked
amedievaltapestrytoconcealthedoorframe:aunicorn,withitsgoldthreadedmanelaidgentlyinthelapofalovelymaiden.Rebekahhadthe
strangestnotionssometimes.Heglancedbehindhimandthensweptthe
curtainaside,retreatingfromhisguestsandtheirrevelrytothesafetyofhis
atticsanctuary.
Thiswastheoneplacehissister’srestlesshandshadnottouched.Theattic
wasmuchlargerthanwhenthey’dinheritedthehouse,butit’dretainedits
originalrusticlook.Unpolishedbeamscrisscrossedthehigh,gabledroof,and
theroughfloorboardscreakedcharminglybeneathhisfeet.Therewereafew
windowssetintothepeaksofthegables,andduringthedaysunlight
streamedinfromalldirections.
Klausmovedhiseaselwiththesun,watchinghispaintingschangeoverthe
courseofeachday.He’dsometimesclimbuphereatnightandlightafew
candles,steppingbackfromtheeaseltotakeintheeffectofallofhis
canvasesatonce.Hehadbeenworkingfeverishlyandcouldn’tremember
everbeingsoproductive.
Itwasawaste,though,becauseeverylastpaintingwasofher.Vivianne’s

lefteye,blackinapaleseaofskin.TheoutlineofViviannerunningthrougha
cobblestonedstreetinthemiddleofthenight.Vivianneinhisbedthefirst
night,thelastnight,everynight.
Itwasn’twork;itwastorture.Hecouldneverpaintanythingelse.Even
whenhestartedadifferentsubject,itneverfailedtotransformintoanother
aspectofVivianne.
Hiscurrentpaintingwasofherhair:blackandsleekasaraven’swings,but
withalifeandmovementthatKlausstruggledtocapture.Inthelightofhis
candle,itlookedflatandwrong,anentirestoryhewassomehowfailingto
tell.Hepickedupabrushandbegantowork,addingtextureandlightinsome
places,whileleavingothersasdarkasgravity.
Thewailingsoundofthehouse’sprotectionspellwentoffagain,asithad
beenallnightlong.Everyoneelsewastoobusywiththeirpartytopay
attentiontoit,butKlausstopped,brushhalfwaytocanvas,atthesightofa


witchattheeastwindow.Shesatontheouterlintel,poisedasifshewere
restingonaparkbench.
Klausknewheratonce.NomatterwhatYsabelleDalliencourt’soldspell
assumed,thiswasnotexactlyanunexpectedintruderontheirland.Hecould
seetracesofhermother’sfaceinLily’s,inthestrong,straightnoseandthe
longplanesofhercheeks.Herhairwasdarker,moreofarussetthanauburn,
buthereyeswerethesamefathomlessbrown.
Hecrossedtheroomquickly,wishingthathecouldcoverallofhis
canvasesashewent.VivianneandLilymighthavebeencousins,butLilyhad
norighttoseeherimagethewayKlausportrayedit.Nomatterherrelation,
Lilywasoneofthem,adescendantofthecowardsandweaklingswhohadlet
Vivslipaway.
Heopenedthewindowandinvitedherinsidenonetheless.Lilywasalsothe
firstwitchinoverfortyyearstorespondtoKlaus’sovertures,andhecouldn’t

affordtoslighther.
Toraisethedeadwasdifficult,butitwasmorethanjustthat.Itrequired
darkandfrighteningmagicthatfewwoulddaretoevenattempt.Fordecades
Klaushadletitbeknown—quietly,withoutinvolvinghissiblingsin
somethingthatwasreallynoneoftheirconcern—thatthepriceof
readmissiontoNewOrleanswasVivianne.Thewitchesbadlywantedtheir
homeback,butnonehadbrokenranktotrytheirhand.Ysabellehadmuchto
dowiththat,heknew,butnowshewasdead,andherdaughterhadcometo
bargain.
“Icangrantyouwhatyoudesire,”LilyLerouxtoldhimwithnopreamble.
“Butitwillcostyou.Oneitemforthespell,andanotherformydaughter.”
“AsIhavesaid—”Klausbegan,butshewavedthewordsoffimpatiently.
“Iknowwhatyouarewillingtooffer,”sheremindedhim.“Nowlistento
whatIwant.”
Klauswasnevereagertobeonthewrongsideofabargain,butifitmeant
thatViviannewouldbereturnedtohim,hewouldlistentoanythingthewitch
hadtosay.


CHAPTERTWO
REBEKAHHADTOadmitthatKlausknewhowtothrowaparty.Sheandher
twosiblingshadlivedinrelativesolitudeforsolongthatnowitwasasifshe
couldnevergetenoughofnewcompany,andKlausalwaysseemedreadyto
provideherwithplentyoffriends.Litheyoungvampiresfilledthemansion,
dancing,singing,drinking,andcastingalluringglancesatoneanother...andat
her.Alwaysather.Shewasmorethanacelebrityamongthem;shewas
practicallyagoddess.
Afterafewglassesofchampagne,Rebekahfoundthatbeingworshipped
suitedherjustfine.Therewereafew—well,morethanafew—youngmale
vampireswhomadeasportofcompetingforherattention,andshe

encouragedthemshamelessly.TherewasaRobertandaRodgershe
constantlymixedup,andEfrain,whohadextraordinaryblueeyesbutgot
tongue-tiedatthemeresightofher.Tonightwasaboutcelebrating,and
tomorrownightwouldprobablybethesame.
Robert(shewasalmostsure)refilledherglassbeforeitwasempty,andshe
smiledlanguidlyathim.Theywerelikesweet,admiringpuppies,sittingat
herfeetandlappingupeveryscrapofherattention.Itwasimpossibletotake
anyofthemseriously,butperhapssomethingnot-so-seriouswasexactlywhat
sheneeded.
Shehadbeeninlove,andsheknewhowthatended.Butshewouldlivefor
averylongtime,anditwasnotrealistictospendtherestofeternityrunning
awayfromeverysortofconnection.Agoodflingwasafundistraction...and
thenperhapsanotheroneafterthat.
Acheerful-lookingvampirewithreddish-goldhairstrolledintotheparlor
whereRebekahheldcourt,andshenoticedKlausleavingthedrawingroomin
theoppositedirection.Sulkingagain,sheguessed.Hewasasmagneticas
ever,drawinginhumansandvampiresalike.Theyflockedtothehouseathis
suggestion,andthenhehidfromthemlikeahermit.Hewasgoinguptothat
draftyatticagain,shejustknewit.
“I’msorryformybrother’srudeness,”shetoldthefemalevampire
impulsively.
Thegirl’sgrayeyeswidenedinmomentarysurprise,asifit’dnever
occurredtohertobeoffendedbyKlaus’sabruptmoods.Rebekahfeltfoolish
forhavingevenmentionedit,butthenthevampiresmiledeasily.Herteeth
werewhiteandeven,likeagoodstringofpearls.“Noneed,”sheassured


Rebekah,ascasuallyasiftheywereequals.“Heiswhoheis.”
“Wisewords,”Rebekahagreed,drainingherchampagneandthenstaring
pointedlyatRodger.Hehurriedawaytofindanewbottle.“Klausdoesn’t

haveitinhimtothinkofothers.”
TheonlythingtowhichKlaushadreallyappliedhimselfoverthepast
forty-oddyearswasdrivingRebekahandElijahcrazy.Hehadwonownership
ofthattawdrybrothelhesoenjoyedinacardgameandpromptlylostitagain.
TheSouthernSpothadspentallofaweekunderthenewsignreadingtheslap
andtheticklebeforeitsoldonehadbeenrestored.Still,Klausspent
inordinateamountsoftimethere,drinkingandwhoringasifhestillwere
neededonhandtoruntheplace.Hehadonlystumbledoutinthemorningsto
interrupttheFrencharmy’sbattlesandfeedathispleasure,forcingRebekah
touseherpowersofcompulsionagainandagain.Hedelightedintormenting
theFrenchgovernorsuntiltheyweredrivenoutoftown,almostruiningThe
Originals’claimtotheirlandwhentheFrenchhadsignedthecolonyoverto
theSpanishafterthewar.
Theredheadedgirlsatdownwithoutwaitingforaninvitation.Rebekah
raisedaneyebrow,butshewasamused,andtheboldyoungthingdidn’tseem
theslightestbitintimidatedbyherexpression.“Iwouldn’texpecthimtothink
ofanyonebuthimself,”thegirlagreedeasily.“Iwasjusttryingtohelphim
outofhismood.”
“Andwhywouldhebeanylessmoodyforyouthanfortherestofus?I
don’tevenknowyou,”Rebekahremindedher.Shewassureshehadseenthe
girlaroundbefore,buthadprobablybeenpayingtoomuchattentionto
Robert/Rodgertonotice.Inanycase,attendingafewpartieshardlymadeher
apartoftheMikaelsons’innercircle.
“Oh!I’mLisette,”thevampirechirped,extendingherhandasan
afterthought.Sheofferednootherexplanationordefenseforherpresumption,
anditseemedlikeshewastotallyunawareofit.TheOriginalmystique
seemedtosliderightoffofLisette.AfterthefawningattentionofRebekah’s
admirers,itwasliketheshockofdivingintoacoolpoolofwater.
RebekahhesitatedforthebriefestmomentbeforeshakingLisette’s
outstretchedhand.Partofherwantedtoshakesomeappropriatereverence

intothegirl...buttherestofheractuallyenjoyedthenovelty.Aflingwouldbe
great,butafriend...HowlonghaditbeensinceRebekahhadhadareal
friend?Hernature,herposition,andherfamilymadeitvirtuallyimpossible
tomakegirlfriends,muchlesskeepthem.RebekahMikaelsonwasdangerous,
intimidating,immortal,andguarded.ButLisettedidn’tseemtocare.
“Sotellmeaboutyourself,Lisette,”shecommanded,thenbithertongue
andsoftenedhertone.“Please?”


“Oh,me?There’sreallynothingtotell.”Lisettegiggled,butthatdidn’t
preventherfromimmediatelyproducingafewchattydetailsabouttheother
partygoers.
Shewenton,andRebekahbaskedinthenormalcyofit.Theymighthave
beenofanage:youngwomennavigatingsocietytogether.Shelistenedraptly,
askingquestionswheneverLisetteneededprompting,andLisetteobliged
withanastonishingwealthofinformationaboutnearlyalloftheMikaelsons’
guests.MostofRebekah’spetsgaveupanddriftedawayafterawhile,and
evenshy,smittenEfrainlookedaroundasifhemightprefertobeelsewhere.
ButRebekahdidn’tcare.Admirationwaseasyenoughtocomebythese
days,butLisettewasararerkindofpleasure.Theywerestilltalkingwhena
commotionbrokeoutnearthesweepingmainstaircase,andRebekah
reluctantlydecidedsheneededtoinvestigate.Shehadputfartoomuchwork
intomakingthishousecomfortabletoletitgotoruin,nomatterhowmuch
funeveryonewashaving.
Whenshereachedthefronthall,though,sherealizedthatthenewest
vampiresweren’ttheproblem.Klaushadreturnedfromhissulk,andseemed
determinedtospreadhismiseryaround.Afewnervous-lookingvampires,in
variousstatesofundress,huddledtogetheronthestaircase,coweringasKlaus
pushedpastthem.“IfIfindyou’vetouchedanythinginthoseroomsIwill
sliceyouopenfromthroattoankleslookingforit,”hethreatenedthenearest

one,whocouldonlytrembleinreply.
Hadsomethinggonemissing?SomethingofKlaus’s?Whateveritwas,it
mustbeimportantenoughthathewouldsearchforitinthemiddleofaparty.
Shecouldnotimaginewhatwouldprovokehimtoactsobizarrely,except
thatmaybehe’dsimplygonetoolongwithoutmakingascene,andcouldn’t
helphimself.
“Mydearsister!”hegreetedher,hisvoiceamockeryofbrotherlywarmth.
Thenathoughtseemedtooccurtohim.“Youprobablyhaveit,”hetoldher
cryptically,andclimbedbackupthestaircase.
“I—Doyouthinkyou’regoingtomyroom?”Rebekahshrieked,running
afterhim.“Niklaus,whatthehellhasgottenintoyoutonight?”Skippingthe
partytobroodinhisatticsoundedlikeabrilliantplanincomparisontothis.
Hedidn’tanswerher.Instead,hethrewopenthedoortoherroomand
begantearingthroughherthings.Herthings;hecouldn’tevenleavethisone,
tinycornerofthehousealone.
Shegrabbedhisarm,butheshookherhandoffandupendedajewelrybox
ontohervanity.Pearlsandtopazesspilledeverywhere,andsoftgoldgleamed
againstthepaintedwood.“It’snothing,”hemuttered,notevenbotheringto
lieconvincingly.“There’sjustatrinketI’velost,anditmighthavewoundup


here.”
Heopenedanotherbox,riflingthroughitcarelessly,droppingaruby
earringontothecarpetwithoutevennoticing.Asilverchainsnappedunder
hiscarelessfingers,onethatEricMoquethadgivenRebekahwhentheyhad
bothbelievedtheycouldhavealifetogether.“Getout!”Rebekahcried,
shovingKlauswithallofherstrength.Hisbodyflewbackward,crashinginto
thedoorwithasatisfyingsplintering.“Whateveritis,youwon’tfindithere.”
Klausjumpedbacktohisfeetandmovedontothenextroom.Within
seconds,Rebekahheardanothercrashfromdownthehall.Ifshedidn’tgo

afterherbrother,sherealized,thedamagewouldescalatequickly.Hehadn’t
evenbotheredtothrowouttheoccupantsoftheroomthistime.Rebekah
foundhimthrowingclothingoutofaclosetwhiletwovampireswatchedhim
fromthebed,anembroideredcoverletpulleduptotheirchinsasifthethin
silkwouldprotectthemfromalunaticvampire.“Stopthismadness,”she
ordered.
Hewavedherawaydismissivelyandwalkedouttothetopofthestairs,
shoutingthatitwastimeforalloftheirgueststoleave.Whywasitupto
Klaustodecidethatthepartywasover?Hehadaspecialtalentforruining
beautifulthings.
Rebekahreachedthebottomofthestairsjustintimetoseehim
disappearingintoElijah’sstudy.ShefeltsureElijahwouldthankherfor
keepinghimout,andsoshegrittedherteethandpushedthroughthecrowd.
KlaushadalreadyforcedopenadrawerofElijah’sdesk,andRebekah
gasped.Elijahhadn’tappearedyet,butthemomentherbrothersawwhat
Klauswasdoing,thehousewouldnotbebigenoughtoholdthethreeof
them.
“Don’ttouchthat,”sheshouted,throwingherweightagainstthedrawerto
slamitclosed.Klausshovedherasideandbrokeopenthelockonanother
drawer.Rebekahpushedhimback,andhetrippedoveroneofthelarge
candelabrasthatElijahhadalongthewalls.Itswayeddangerouslytowardthe
windowbesideit,andRebekahhadjustenoughtimetoseeacurlofsmoke
riseupfromthefabricbeforeKlaussprangtowardher.
Theforceofhisattackknockedthembothbackoutintothefronthall,
snarlingandbiting.Vampiresscattered,andsomewherenearbyRebekah
heardthesoundofbreakingglass.Tangysmokedriftedoutoftheopendoor
ofthestudy,andsheguessedthatthecurtainshadcaughtfire.Klaus
destroyedeverything.
Shecouldn’tlivelikethisanymore,notwithKlaustheterror.Hedidn’t
appreciateanythingsheorElijahdidforhim.Hewassoself-centeredthathe

couldn’timaginethathissiblingsmightprefertonotspendtheirliveseither


cleaninguphiscurrentdisasterortryingtopredicthisnextone.
AsshegaspedforbreathinKlaus’sarmlock,Rebekahmadeuphermind:
She’dfindawaytodestroywhateverwasleftofKlaus’shappinessjustthe
wayhealwaysmanagedtoruinhers.


CHAPTERTHREE
ELIJAHRANANidlefingerupanddownAva’sbarearm,feelingperfectlyat
peace.Suchtranquilityhadnotbeeneasy,andthecosthadbeenhigh,buthe
hadpersevered.He’dkepthissiblingstogetherandovercomeeveryobstacle
thiscityhadthrowntheirway,andnowitwastimetoreaptherewards.
TheFrenchhadlosttheirgripontheregion,andnowSpainhadseized
powerandestablisheditsownruleoverNewOrleans.Butitquicklybecame
clearthatactuallyrunningthecitywasofnointeresttoKingCarlosIII,and
theSpanishgovernorhe’dsentoverdidn’tfindthetaskespeciallyappealing,
either.TheFrenchcolonistsweredisgustedbytheregimechange,andElijah
hadalwaysviewedhumanunrestasanopportunity.
Asaresultofhissavvyandforesight,everythingofconsequenceinNew
Orleansnowhadtogothroughhim.Trade,construction,legalmatters...Elijah
Mikaelsonwasthecity’sbeatingheart.Andonceherealizedthatthewitches
couldnolongerenforcetheirbanonsiringnewvampires,Elijahhadtaken
particulardelightincreatinganewcommunity.Hisfamilywasthecentral
coreofhisworld,buttherewerebenefitstobuildingasocietyaswell.Hehad
everythinghehadwanted,andnowhehadAva,whoseemeddeterminedto
comeupwithallsortsofnewthingsforhimtodesire.
Shestretchedacrossthefour-posterbed,anddappledlightfromthe
fireplacepaintedcuriouspatternsonherskin.Justashereachedforheragain,

heheardacrashandascreamcomingfromdownstairs.Hewaitedfora
moment,hopingthatitwouldfadebackintothepredictablesoundsofaparty,
butthecommotiononlyseemedtogrowlouder.
“Itcan’tbesuchadisasterthatyouhavetoleave?Icanbarelyheara
thing,”Avaprotestedasherosefromthebed,andtheglintinhercatlikeeyes
wasalmostenoughtomakehimignorethetrouble.
“AsmuchasIwouldliketokeeptakinginthesightofyou,itseemsasif
myattentionisrequiredelsewhere,”Elijahsaidwithonelastquickkissashe
slidbackintohisdiscardedclothing.Hehadnotrisentopowerbyignoring
warningsigns.
Inthehallway,hecouldpickoutbothofhissiblings’voicesinthedin.
Therewasalsoadistinctcracklingsoundbeneatheverythingelse,andElijah
couldsmellsmoke.Elijahresignedhimselftodealingwithwhateverwas
happeningbelowandabandoningAvaforthenight.
Hiswillingnesstogetinvolvedinthiskindofmesswaspreciselywhyhe


wasinchargeandtheSpanishweren’t,butsometimesitinfuriatedhimto
havetobetheresponsibleone.Hestormeddownthecurvedstaircase,the
stenchofsmokeburninginhisnostrils.Itwascomingfromhisstudy.
Elijahfrozeforaninstantinthedoorway,takinginthedisaster.Hehad
oftenusedhisstudyasarefugeawayfromhissiblings’endlessconflicts,but
morethanthathehadmadeitintoatremendousresourceintimesoftrouble.
TheOriginalsdidn’tpossessmagicthewaytheirmotherhad,buttheywere
magic.Theirentireexistencewasframedbyit,andtheirlivesweredependent
onit.Elijahhadcuratedanimpressivelibraryofbooksandmanuscriptson
thesubject,inadditiontoalloftheordinarypaperworkhisprominencein
NewOrleansrequired.Watchingitallburnwasanunexpectedblowtohis
stomach,andElijahdoubledovertotakeinadeepbreathofsmokyair,his
nailsdiggingintohisfists.

Inadditiontothecurtains,twowoodenbookcasesoneithersidehadgone
upinflames,andmanyoftheitemslookedunsalvageable.Butthecharred
wallsandbookswerenottheonlydamage.Hisdesk—aheavypieceof
chestnut—stoodaskew,andsomeofthedrawersthatheknewhadbeen
lockedwereajar.Thefirehadnotsimplybeenanunluckyaccident;someone
hadbeeninthisroom,goingthroughhisthings.
AndElijahcouldguesswhothatsomeonewas.Rebekahmayhave
provokedhim—shecouldn’talwayshelpherself—butthedestructioninhis
studywasKlaus’swork.Therewasnooneelseintheworldwithsuchatalent
forinconvenientchaos.
EvenwithElijah’sunnaturalspeedandstrength,ittookhimafewminutes
toputoutthefire.Inthemainroom,RebekahandKlauswerelockedina
pointlesslyviciousstruggle.Neitherofthemhadasilverdaggeror,
thankfully,awhiteoakstake,theonlytwoweaponsthatcouldtakedownan
Originalvampire.Alltheycouldaccomplishwasannoyingeachotherand
makingfoolsofthemselves.Theirwoundswouldheal,buttheembarrassment
wouldlinger.
ElijahgrabbedKlausbythecollarandthrewhimbackward,thenstepped
forwardtoresthisfootagainstRebekah’schest.HeheardKlausstrugglingto
stand,andheldoutawarninghand.“Enough,”hesaid,hisvoicelow.“The
twoofyouwerecontenttoletthehouseburnaroundyou.Overwhat?”
Theybothbegantoargueatonce,andheheldhishandupagaintosilence
them.Then,reluctantly,hepointedtoKlaus.HewouldratherhearRebekah’s
versionofeventsfirst,asitwasalmostcertainlythemoreaccurateone.But
Klauswouldneversitbyandlethertellit.Givinghimthissmallconcession
wouldhelpreestablishpeace.
“Oursisterisoutofcontrol,”Klausspatcontemptuouslyashestoodup


andflickedthedustfromhiscoat.“Iaskedforherhelpinfindingasimple

trinket,andshefollowedmearoundthehouse,attackingmelikesomekindof
madwoman.”
ToElijah’sshock,Klausstormedfromtheroomwithoutwaitingtohear
anotherword,scatteringtheremainingguestsashewent.
“He’slosthismind,”Rebekahargued,shovingElijah’sunresistingfoot
awayandsittingup.“Idon’tknowwhathe’supto,butthisthinghewantsis
nomeretrinket.Hewantsittoobadly.”
Therewasnodoubtingthatshewasright.Elijahcouldn’timaginewhat
Klauswaslookingfor,orwhyithadsuddenlygrippedhisbrotherthathe
musthaveitrightnow,inthemiddleofthenight.Klausshouldhavebeen
enjoyingtheparty,nottearingthehouseapart.Somethinghadsethimoff,and
Elijahreluctantlyguessedthathewouldneedtogettothebottomofthis.
Together,theyfollowedthetelltalesoundsofKlaus’srenewedsearchto
Elijah’sbedroom.AquickglancetoldElijahthatAvahadleft.Hefeltaquick
pangoffrustration—Klaus’sselfishnessneverstoppedintrudingoneveryone
else’slives.
“You’renotwelcomeinthisroom,brother,”Elijahwarnedhim,hisvoice
coldandmenacing.“Whateverthistrinketistoyou,youarestillamemberof
thisfamily,andthissortofbehaviorisunacceptable.”
HethoughtheheardKlauschuckleunderhisbreathasheopenedElijah’s
wardrobeandbeganhunting.ElijahunderstoodwhyRebekahhadlosther
patienceandattackedhim—thereseemedtobenootherwaytogetthroughto
himinthisstate.
“Ifweknewwhathewanted...”Rebekahwhispered,herblueeyesflicking
sidewaystomeethisown.Shewasright.Iftheycouldfinditfirst,theywould
havesomeleveragetomakeKlaus...what,though?Apologize?Explain?
Think?Noneofthatwaslikely.
Butwheretoevenstart?Thehousewasfullofpowerfulobjectsthatthey’d
collectedoverthecenturies,andKlauscouldbeafteranyofthem.Their
motherhadbeenoneofthemostpowerfulwitchesinhistory,andtheywere

theoldestandstrongestvampiresinexistence.Useful,pretty,andpriceless
“trinkets”weresocommonintheirhousethattheyneverwouldhavemissed
oneiftheyhadnotcaughtKlaussearchingforit.
“Telluswhatyouwant,brother,”Elijahordered.
Tohissurprise,Klausemergedfromthewardrobe,lookingalmost
reasonable.“Iwanttobeleftalone,brother,”heretortedsarcastically.His
voicewaslight,buthisblue-greeneyesblazedwithapassionthatElijah
thoughtborderedonmadness.PerhapsRebekahwasright:Maybetheir
brotherreallywaslosinghiswits.Hehadnotbeenthesamesincethatterrible


nightVivianneLeschereshaddied,butitwasn’tasiftheyallhadn’t
experiencedalossduringtheirlonglives.
“Youdon’thavetherighttobeleftalone,”Elijahsaid.“Ihaveput
everythingintobuildingthishavenforyou—forbothofyou.”Hesaw
Rebekahflinch,buthedidn’tcare.“Ihavespentdecadesbuildingakingdom
forus,andallyouhavetodoissitbackandenjoy.Instead,youspendyour
timeonthisnonsense.Youletourhouseburnwhileyouthinkonlyofwhat
youwant.Thesamewillhappenwiththisentirecityifyouaren’tcareful.”
Klaussimplywalkedaway.Hedidn’trespondorcomplainorargue,just
saunteredpastthemasifhehadnotheardasingleword.
Somethinghadshiftedwithinhisbrother.Theyheardadoorslam
downstairs,thenElijahfeltthehairstanduponhisarms.Hecouldhearthe
soundofKlauswhistling.Cheerfully.
“Goodriddance,”Rebekahmuttered,oncethesoundhadfadedintosilence.
ButElijahknewthatthiswasn’tthelastthey’dhearofthis.Klauswasupto
nogood,andwhateverhisplan,hewasjustgettingstarted.


CHAPTERFOUR

KLAUSTANGLEDHISfingersthroughthependant’schain.Setinsilver,the
largeopalhadbelongedtohismotherandheldapowerfulenchantmentinits
fire-streakeddepths.HesuspectedthatLilyknewsomesecretaboutthestone
thatshehadkeptfromhim,butKlauswasjustthankfulthatsomeonehad
finallytakenhimuponhisoffer.
Longaccustomedtomakinghisownluck,Klaushadspiedoneverywitch
inNewOrleans.Hehadsoughtouttherenegadesandrulebreakers,offering
evermoreelaboratebribesandthreatsinhisdesperationtogetVivianneback,
ashismother’scurseforbadehimfromdoingmagichimself.
Eventually,hisschemeshadgrownlessfrequentandmoredesperate,brief
flaresofdefianceagainstimpossibleodds.Viviannewaswaitingforhimon
theOtherSide,andhewasfailingher.Inspiteofallofhispower,hecouldn’t
securethecooperationofasinglewitch...untilnow.AndsowhateverLily
wanted,howeveroutrageousherdemands,toKlaustheyweremorethanfair.
Heknewthathissiblingswouldnotfeelthesameway.Elijah,inparticular,
wouldneverhaveagreedtothissortofbargain.Rebekahhadasoftspotfor
trueloveandmightyieldeventually,butshewouldn’thavekeptKlaus’s
secretfromElijah.Theywouldhavesmashedthestonebeforetheywouldlet
himgiveittoawitch.
ThemomenthehadfoundtheopalinthebackofElijah’swardrobe,hehad
resolvedtosaynothingtohissiblings.Herefusedtobestoppedwhenhewas
soclosetogettingherback.
Heneededher.
Deathdidn’thavetomeanforever.Nottoavampire,andespeciallynotto
anOriginal.Ifhe’dhadtimetogiveherasingledropofhisbloodbefore
she’ddiedthatnight,itwouldhavebeenenough.She’dhaveawokenthenext
nightasavampirewithanendlesssecondchanceatlife.Unfortunately,
Viviannehadbeenkilledinstantlybyablastofgunpowderexplodingbeneath
herfeet,ashadmostofthewerewolvesinNewOrleans.
Warmrainbegantosplatteragainsthisface,andthethicknessinthe

summerairbrokeashereachedthewitches’cemetery.Heremembered
anotherstormalltoovividly.Thethunderrollingin,thewerewolves
surroundingthehouse,andVivianne,hopefultothelastthatshecould
somehowmakeeverythingright.Shehadbeenbeautifulthatnight.Heneeded
totellherthat.


Thecemeterywasdark.Cloudscoveredthemoon,andthesteadyrainhad
extinguishedanycandlesmeanttolightthewayforthedead.Onceupona
time,everyspacebetweenthetombsandthetrailingvineshadbeenfilled
withcandles,incense,flowers,andcharms,butafterthewitchesmovedtothe
bayou,ithadfallenintoneglect.Ivyandmossoverwhelmedthegraves.
OnlyVivianne’stombwasasspotlessasthenightshehadbeenlaidtorest.
Thewitchesmayhavestoppedhonoringtheirdead,butKlaushadnosuch
trouble.Thewhitemarbleofthelittlemausoleumglowedfromwithin,so
polishedwereitswalls.HecastaglanceattheshrineasLilyemergedfrom
behindacurtainofrain.Curiously,nowaterseemedtolandonher.
“Doyouhavethependant?”Lilyasked,holdingherlanternsothatitcasta
shadowoverVivianneLescheres’sengravedname.Herhoodwasthrown
back,andherbrownhairwaspulledseverelyagainstherskull.
“Nopleasantries?”Klausremarked,danglingtheopal.“AndhereIthought
wemightbecomedearfriends.”
“Iwouldn’texpectso.”Thewitch’stonewasfrosty,butshefollowedthe
gentleswingofthegem.Shereachedintothepocketofherwoolcloakand
pulledoutasmallglassvial.“Butalongwiththependant,thereisoneother
thingI’llneedbeforeIreturnViviannefromhereternalsleep.”
Klauseyedthevial,feelinghisjawsetwithanger—heshouldhave
expectedthatshe’dwanttoraisethepricewhenViviannewasnearlywithin
reach.
“Andwhatwouldthatbe?”Hehopedthewordssoundedundecided,but

theybothknewhewouldn’trefusewhateversheasked.
“It’sjustasmallmatter,”sheassuredhim,“moreofagestureofgoodwill,
really.Thelandweliveonnowisstagnantandunhealthy,andmydaughter
hasgrownill.Ourartshavenotbeenabletohelpher,butIbelievethatyour
bloodcan.”
“Myblood,”Klausrepeated,hismindracing.Themixthanraninhisveins
wasmuchmorepreciousthanthependant,anddangerousinthewronghands.
Itseemedpossiblethathisbloodcouldbeusedtocureasickchild,anditwas
justonetime,onespell.Anecklaceandalittlebitofblood;itwasnothing.
Notevenworthmentioningtoanyoneelse.
Klausbitintotheskinofhiswrist,thensteppedforwardtoholdthearm
wherehervialwouldcatchhisblood.Thevialfilledtothetop,andLily
pressedasoftwaxstopperintoit.“That’severything,”hetoldherfirmly.
“Begin.”
Lilysnatchedtheopalfromhishand,andlostnotimeinmarkingouta
curiousdesigninthewetearthinfrontofVivianne’sgrave.
“Standatthiscornerhere,”sheordered,pointingwithonelongfinger.


“You’retheanchorforthespell.”WhenKlaushesitated,sheshovedalockof
hairfromherfaceandsighedimpatiently.“She’scomingbacktoyou,”the
witchexplained,asiftoachild.
Klaus’smindfilledwithquestionsheknewheshouldask.Didthatmean
Vivianne’snewlifewouldbetiedtohis?Wouldshebemortal,thissecond
timearound?Wouldshetrulybeherformerself?Buthe’dproceednomatter
theanswers,sohewouldrathernotknow.Klaushadalwayssubscribedtothe
notionthatitwaseasiertoaskforgivenessthanpermission...ifhehadto
choosebetweenthetwoatall.
HesteppedontothespotLilyindicatedandfocusedontheonlythingthat
mattered:Viviannecomingbacktohim.Thatverynight,hewouldholdher

again.Hecouldseeheralready,justasshehadbeeninthatlastmoment.
Beforetheearthhadexplodedbeneathherfeet,she’dlookedupathim
throughthewindow.Herblackeyeshadflashedinherpale,perfectface,her
darkhairshoneinthemoonlight.Herdefiant,strong-willedspiritmadeitself
knownintheangleofherpointedchin,andherbloodredlipsseemedtobe
callingtohim.
Lilybegantochant,andinhishead,KlausheardViv’slaughterrippling
belowtheincomprehensiblewords.Heconcentratedonit,holdingfasttothe
ideaofher,tryingtopullherbackfrombeyondthegrave.Helethimself
becomeconsumedwiththoughtsofVivianneuntiltheydrownedout
everythingelse,eventhewordsofthespellthatwouldbringherhomeagain.
Klausfeltthetinglingofmagic,notaroundhimbutratherallthroughhim.
Itpushedandtugged,naggingathimuntilhehadnochoicebuttonotice
whatthewitchwasdoing.Thespellwaswrongsomehow.
Lilyunstopperedthevialofhisbloodandcarefullytippedoutafew
preciousdropsontothegleamingwhiteopal.Theyfadedintothestoneasifit
hadswallowedthem.Thenshehungthechainaroundherneck,chanting
somethingthatwasnotthespelltoraisehisbelovedfromthedead.
Buthewasafraidtostopher....Amistakeinthiswouldcosthim
everything.Nomatterhowsurehewasthatsomethingwaswrong,Vivianne
mightstillstepoutfromthetombbeforehimanderaseallofhisdoubts.
Instead,Lilystopped,breathingheavily,asifshehadbeenrunning.The
tingleofmagicflaredthroughKlaus,andthenitended.
“Whatwasthatspell?”Klausdemanded.Hetriedtoshakeoffthespell,but
hecouldfeelitholdingfast,weavingitselfintohisblood.Whathadshedone
tohim?“Speaknow,beforeItearoutyourthroat.”
“Iwouldn’tdothatifIwereyou,”Lilywarnedhimwithasmile.She
producedasmallbladefromhercloakandsliceditacrossherarm.Klausfelt
astingingonhisownskin,andlookeddowninsurprisetoseeathinlineof