The streets of the neighborhood from across the river were packed with musicians playing instruments, while others sold merchandise in stalls. 

A group of vampire recruits stood before me.

Gia was playing bango drums. 

"Gia's proven herself," I told them. "She knows what she's getting into. So, she's going to be the first one to be turned. Everybody else? First, we need to be sure that you can handle moving up a notch on the food chain. The emotional ups and downs, the solitude, and bloodlust. Imagine hearing the sound of a heart beating, beating, beating, and wanting more than anything to feed. That's what it's like to be a vampire. It's not for everybody. Some folks, well... Let's just say it brings out the worst in them. Then, there are the other side. Having speed and strength, power and agility, the feeling of being able to do anything you want. For some, it brings out the best in them. Some relish in it, dive into it, take all of what it has to offer. You can be one of them." 

**

Marcel noticed Elijah standing nearby, walking toward him. "Elijah. Didn't expect to see you on this side of the river." 

"Didn't expect to see you and your prodigy assembling a new vampire community," Elijah replied. "I guess we're both full of surprises." 

"Our community was fine until Klaus had the brilliant idea to make moonlight rings," Marcel told him. "Now that Harvest girl's making more, offering them to the wolves in exchange for their allegiance. And the wolves are just kneeling at her feet. The Quarter's become a dangerous place, and you? You're the last true vampire left. You ask me, you're better off joining our community." 

Elijah forced a smile, shaking his head. "Hmm, no. I came to make you an offer. Find me the white oak stake, and I'll let this little social experiment continue." 

"Aw, even if I wanted to help, I don't have a clue where the stake is," Marcel told him.

"Yes, but you do have an ally in Davina," Elijah told him. "She can find it. Thing is, I'd speak to her myself, but I feel the conversation might become a little... unpleasant." 

Marcel became serious. "You don't go anywhere near her." 

Elijah smiled. "Then it's settled. You'll deal with the matter personally." 

Elijah patted Marcel patronizingly on the shoulder, walking away. 

**

Gia continued to play her bongo drums. I stood next to her, playing the acoustic guitar, both of us smiling at the music. 

I knew Elijah was watching us, placing the guitar aside, standing, walking toward him. "You gonna continue to stalk out this place, or are you gonna talk?" 

"Where's Marcel?" Elijah asked. 

"Calling Davina," I answered. "She's on her way. By the time she gets here, you need to be gone." 

"I'm not going anywhere until I know the whereabouts of the stake," Elijah told me. 

"You think she's just going to cooperate with you standing here?" I asked. "First thing I learned about your family, wherever you people go, threats and bloodshed are soon to follow. So, just stay out of sight, all right? Try not to kill anyone." 

I turned to walk away.

"And where will you be in all of this?" Elijah asked. "Babysitting?" 

I turned to face him. "I'm trying to prepare these people for lives as vampires. But, hey, I guess you don't know how that is. Not everyone has years to do what has to be done." 

I turned around, walking away. 

**

Davina had the white oak stake, but she wouldn't use it against Klaus because it would kill Marcel, me and every vampire any of us had ever turned. 

Davina and her date had been attacked at Rousseau's by werewolves. She had had brought Mikael back to life on a leash of a bracelet, and now she disappeared. 

Elijah and Marcel were back here now. 

Gia was playing on her violin. 

"Let me guess," Marcel said. "Davina's nowhere to be found. She wasn't in the attic, wasn't anywhere near the lycee." 

"I have people looking all over this city," I told them. "She is gone. No doubt to protect Mikael while he recovers from the wounds he sustained." 

"She's scared," Marcel told us. "What do you expect?" 

"If I discover that either of you had even the slightest suspicion that she brought Father back..." Elijah trailed off. 

"Yeah, what?" I asked. "You gonna threaten us? Our people? I mean, get in line. The witches hate us, the wolves can kill us any time they like. We can't even go into the Quarter without risking our damn lives, and we used to run the Quarter. And now, Mikael's back. The vampire who hunts vampires. You really think that works in our favor?" 

"You want my help finding Davina?" Marcel asked. "I need to know where you stand. Now, Klaus is on Team Wolf. What are you?" 

"I don't do teams," Elijah told us.

"I'm sorry, but that's not an option," I told him. "See, you're an Original. Every vampire that's ever been sired is an extension of you and your family. Now, you can walk away from that, and side with Klaus and the wolves. But you're not one of them, and never will be. You want allies, right? Look around. This is ground zero for a new vampire community. Now, you may think that you're better than us, but we're all you got." 

Elijah was amused. "And why would I play benefactor to a collection of lost children?" 

Marcel rolled his eyes. "That's right. You never were any good with children. But, like it or not, vampires exist because of you." 

I walked over to Gia, nodding to her. 

Gia nodded to me.

I put a hand on either of her shoulders. "And these folks are gonna need your help." Gia nodded to me. I snapped her neck, carefully lowering her body to the ground. "Her name's Gia. I fed her my blood a few hours ago. When she wakes up, she's gonna need a mentor." 

Marcel looked at Elijah. "I hope that you do better with her than you did with me."