I had followed Elena to the cave where Katherine was imprisoned. I stayed outside not wanting to be seen. Discovered. I used a spell to conceal where I hid. from where I was a could here part of the her story. She had been betrayed at a young age when her own family took away her infant child. Not long after she got involved with a man only to find out he wasn't a man at all, but a monster. Katherine was a survivor. She had survived having her heart ripped out when her father took away her daughter and she would survive this. When Katherine sought refuge from Rose and was betrayed again she stabbed herself in captivity. Rose forced her to drink her blood and heal the wound. she killed her self with her blood still in her, and came back as a vampire. Katherine over threw Rose leaving her to her fate. Elena seemed upset by that as if Rose was the one who was wronged. Like she shouldn't have to suffer at the hands of her own actions when she was going to throw Katherine to the wolves. Elena was one of those people who believed everyone could be saved. It was a dangerous flaw. Not everyone could be saved, and sometimes you have to save yourself. I had learned that, the hard way. Towards the end of her story Stefan came for Elena. As they were leaving Stefan looked over my way.

"what is it?" asked Elena.

"nothing I thought I caught a scent."

He couldn't see me, I knew he couldn't but it still made me nervous. When I was sure Stefan was gone I heard Katherine call to me from the cave.

"come out little witch."

I walked in and looked into the eyes of the women I was about to give my life to. I was trying to trade the devil I know for the devil I didn't. except Katherine wasn't the devil, no but she could certainly dance with one. Maybe even be his consort


.

Katherine took a moment to assess her. She looked over the girl's mahogany skin and dark eyes. Expressive eyes. The girl was nervous. She recognized the look of someone who was afraid of the shadows, someone haunted.

Katherine spoke in a cool voice. "why are you here?"

"To be in your favor" Was the girl's response.

Katherine raised and eyebrow but didn't let those words lull her. No one ever did anything without a motive. The question was what was her motive.

"what's your name?"

"Holly Greystone" the girl, Holly said. Katherine had heard of the Greystone witches they were powerful enough to rival the Bennett witches. She had heard that some of the family dabbled in dark magic. Holly reached her arm across the barrier offering herself. Katherine grabbed her arm before the girl could change her mind. Holly came close and Katherine never broke eye contact as she bit into the girl's arm. Witches blood was stronger then humans because it has magic running through it. Vampires rarely got ahold of witch blood, they tend to go after prey that isn't lethal. As Katherine drank from holly she got images of the girl being thrown down, beaten. Slashing a blade across her arm to invoke a blood sacrifice then she was dragged off and locked away. Then the girl escaping she sought out Isobel and came to find Katherine. Katherine let go and the images stopped.

"why did you come to find me?"

"I want your protection, and for you to teach me how to be strong like you. I can break the spell that holds you."

"you want protection go the originals" Katherine knew from those images the kind of protection Holly wanted was more then she was willingly to give. She wasn't going to risk her life for this girl.

"I've heard about Klaus, he's a bully and cruel just for the fun of it. You are cruel out of self preservation."

"the lesser of two evils" Katherine said.

"Exactly. Katherine make me your weapon. I will stand against anyone who threatens you. All I ask in return is that you stand with me against My enemies when the time comes." Holly spoke with passion in her voice.

"I'm safe where I am no vampire would dare come for me in here."

"Katherine you value your life too much to be content with this. Don't let your fear imprison you like this. Besides Klaus only has to get a witch to break the spell before he can drag you out screaming. And who will save you then?" Katherine looked sharply at the girl as she spoke those last words.

"And how do I know Klaus didn't send you?" she said in a low voice that promised violence.

"he wouldn't have me ask you to come out. He would just take you."

Katherine thought for a moment she didn't want to be imprisoned and if this girl was naïve enough to think she could take on Klaus who was she to say other wise, as long a she got her freedom. Holy wanted her to stand against her enemies once she helped her, she seemed to be willingly give her life to protect her as long as she promised to return the favor. She would agree and just make sure that the girl died before she tried to collect on her debt.

Katherine smiled "you said your strong enough to break the spell?"

Holly nodded. "I want you to make a Blood Oath."