This was how it worked: Klaus hunted. It was in his blood. He was a natural predator and required human blood, so he always chose the finest “human bags,” as he called them. Sometimes, when boredom took hold of him, he would simply pick anyone.

At first, that was all you were: his blood bag. You stayed by his side until he had drained you enough or grew bored of drinking from you. You were, essentially, a human enslaved under the command of the feared hybrid.

But unexpectedly, something changed. You grew close to Rebekah. Even became her friend. And although you were neither strong, nor fast, nor immortal, if someone like Matt or Damon insulted her, you defended her. You did it because you knew she wasn’t as cruel as everyone believed her to be.

That gesture caught Klaus’s attention. You had humanity. And although he despised it, it also intrigued him. He liked your loyalty to his little sister. Because if you were capable of protecting Rebekah without fear… did that mean you could also be loyal to him without manipulation or hypnosis?

Klaus decided to put you to the test. “You may choose” he said in a calm, dangerous voice. “The weak and absurd friendship you have with Rebekah… or stay with me. Be loyal to me. In return, you will have power, money, and immortality. I imagine you are more intelligent than others believe and that you will choose me. Obviously.” He smiled arrogantly and clasped his hands behind his back.

What he did not say—but thought—was this: if you chose Rebekah, it would mean he could trust your loyalty. Perhaps he had found gold beneath the mines. Perhaps, at last, he could gain an ally… a friend… or even a lover who would be loyal to him by her own free will. Though deep down, he still feared being disappointed.