save my soul : k.m.

two sides of the same coin - chapter 3

'It went missing... the night I lost my child. So, it's in play, and the thought of that makes me very nervous. Especially on nights like tonight.'

Klaus explained to Marcel about the white oak stake and Astrid sat there boiling over. Her leg bounced as she cracked her knuckles, thinking of all the ways that she wanted to rip the Guerrera's apart. A bounty? On her head?

The hybrid simply couldn't catch a break.

'Why would you tell me that?' Marcel questioned, looking extremely confused at his sudden openness after having disappeared for so long.

'Depends. Do you have it?'

'Of course he doesn't.' Astrid spoke up in a daze, her eyes staring into a random corner of the room and both men looked at her - Joshua having excused himself moments ago. 'If Marcel kills you then he dies too, along with every vampire you've ever turned.' She finally looked up, scoffing as she poured herself another drink. 'Christ it's like my sire line are the only ones who can keep themselves in check.'

Marcel nodded and laughed at Astrid's comment, 'She's right, Klaus. I wouldn't do that to you. I've done a lot.. but not that'

'Well, then, perhaps you'd like to help me get it back? We attack the wolves, tonight, when the moon hits its apex. They won't expect it while I'm weak.'

The full moon had risen over the skyline and shone down on Klaus as he spoke. From across the river, you could see the lights turn on slowly in the Quarter - getting ready for another night of partying.

'Hey, bad news or good news?'

Astrid smiled, looking exhausted as Joe finally arrived at the loft. Marcel beamed and stood up, 'Klaus, Joe. Joe, Klaus. Now, you wanna talk Guerreras - nobody fought harder back in 1925 than Joe, here. Fought so hard he retired into retail, been keeping the peace ever since and living right under their noses'

'And has also provided your wife with an extensive music collection since 1925.' Astrid spoke to Klaus before standing up. 'Hello mate. Happy to see you got home dry.' She hugged her friend.

'Yeah, well, good news is, your order came in this morning.' Joe looked at Marcel then Astrid, 'And your records didn't get touched.'

'Ah good' She hummed and cheered her glass towards Joe, 'To power of Louis Armstrong and Dr. John.' Astrid took a long swig as her old friend facepalmed and stifled a laugh. 'I don't know what you're fucking laughing at' She tried to stay serious but failed, cracking up laughing which set Marcel off. Astrid noticed Klaus looking quite lost and out of place. The two made eye contact and Astrid made the mental decision to involve him too, shouting at him. 'I don't know what the fuck you're looking at either!'

Her smile melted his cold exterior and he relaxed, laughing himself before walking over between Joe and Astrid - sitting down and wrapping an arm around his wife.

'And, bad news?' Marcel asked after calming down, tears in his eyes as he reached the end of his hysterics.

'I got made. Davina and Astrid saved my ass, but what's done is done. So, pour me a drink, and play me a song, because it's gonna be my last.'

It was Astrid's turn to facepalm as Marcel shook his head, 'Joe. Don't be dramatic. Just head out of town 'til things blow over'

'No way. I don't run from Guerreras.' Joe's brow creased and Marcel began to debate with him, 'You don't leave, you won't have to. They'll sniff you out in a day'

'Hey, let them come hunt me down! 'Cause I've had a good ride.' Joe cheered and Astrid shook her head before talking to Marcel, 'No point trying to debate, Marcel. He hasn't budged in 90 years - he's not going to now just because some knock off Guerrera thinks she can take our town.'