~E v e r l a s t i n g~ {book two}

~eight~

Klaus has set up a dinner table is set up in the courtyard to celebrate his return to leadership over New Orleans and his repossession of the Abattoir compound from Marcel. The vampire army, including Marcel and his closest friends, are seated around the table. Klaus and Hayley are seated at each end, while Davina's awkwardly seated between two vampires. Klaus calls for everyone's attention to give a speech by tapping his glass with his fork.

"Let us begin with a toast to our shared gift—immortality. After a thousand years, one might expect life to be less keenly felt, for its beauties and its sorrows do diminish with time. But, as vampires, we feel more deeply than humans could possibly imagine."

Davina, getting bored, takes out her phone and replies to the occasional text messages from Declan. Yes, she has been keeping in touch with him. A group of waiters and waitresses join them at the table, one standing by each of the guests. Davina frowns at the man hovering over her. "I don't need you, thanks. Not a vampire."

"Insatiable need, exquisite pain," Klaus continues. "Our victories and our deaths." The servants slit their wrists and bleed into the glasses, making Davina cringe.

"To New Orleans," Diego says as he raises his glass.

"To New Orleans," Klaus repeats as he does the same.

"To New Orleans," everyone except Davina choruses, as she was too busy texting. They all raise their glasses before drinking.

"I understand that some of you may have questions regarding the recent change in leadership, and I invited you here tonight to assure you that you are not defeated. No, my intentions moving forward are to celebrate what we have. What Marcel, in fact, took and built for this true community of vampires."

"What about her," Diego questions, pointing at Hayley. "The wolf. And why is there a witch here?"

"For fun," Davina smirks before going back to her phone. "Don't mind me."

"Had you'd let me finish, Diego, you would know that there is, of course, one further matter I would like to address." Klaus walks over to the other end of the table where Hayley sits. "As many of you know, this girl is carrying my child. Consequently, I trust you will all pay her the appropriate respect. However, I understand that some of you are concerned by this vicious rumor that I intend to use the blood of our child to create hybrids. I assure you I do not."

"Father of the year," Hayley remarks.

"It appears I will have to earn your trust," Klaus sighs, visibly frustrated. "Very well. We'll eliminate the root of your anxiety. You see, how can I sire any hybrids if there are no more werewolves alive in the bayou to turn?"

Hayley looks at him, horrified. "What? Klaus, no!"

"So, eat, drink, and be merry," Klaus smiles, ignoring her. "And tomorrow, I guess you have yourselves a little wolf hunt. Go ahead, have fun. Kill them all."

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"Trying to sneak out, are you?"

Hayley turns around and almost jumps out of her skin. "Oh, god, you scared me."

"Better me than one of Klaus' brainless minions," Davina replies with a grim smile. Suddenly, Elijah appears and cracks Diego's neck, as he was approaching the two girls. "Aw, Elijah, way to be subtle."

"Elijah, you shouldn't be here," Hayley warns him. "Klaus has his guys watching me."

"I wouldn't worry about them," he shrugs. After a moment, Rebekah comes along, kicking down two other vampires who were hiding around the corner. "Come, we mustn't linger. We'll get you somewhere safe."