Chapter 4
Disclaimer: I don't own the Vampire Diaries. I'm just borrowing. Only the story belongs to me.
Note: Previously, in "In the Lion's Den," Caroline meets Klaus' sister, Rebekah, who gives her a new idea for the next book in the Destiny Meadows series.
Hey, lovelies! Hope you had a great New Year! I know I haven't updated lately (the last time being November 29), but real life has been hectic, and inspiration has been lacking. Since I have a moment now, I thought I'd share with you. No spoilers, just sit back and relax!
ON WITH THE MADNESS!
Later that Day…
The tower of papers seemed pile almost taller than her as Caroline looked over the Mikaelson family records that Rebekah had gotten for her to help her with the research she would need for the next Destiny Meadows book. She never imagined that she never looked extensively into the Kruschev clan until now. Maybe she had given a brief mention of it in one of the books (possibly in either the first or maybe second book, she couldn't remember which), but that was the extent of it. Now that she was actually writing about them, things were different.
Klaus' family certainly has a lot of records, she thought. I think there's enough information in here for two books, possibly three. Though, there's something I just don't get. They look so young, and yet, these records look like they go back over a thousand years. Could it be that...no, that's ridiculous. They're not that old, are they? They're probably descendants of the original Mikaelson family.
"How's the research coming along?"
A familiar accented voice brought her out of her reverie and Caroline turned around and saw Klaus standing there, a smile on his face. Honestly, what was it with him and popping up unexpectedly? Didn't he have anything better to do than scaring people out of their skins?
"Well, Rebekah gave me quite a bit to work with, I'll tell you that much," she replied. "There's enough here to write at least two books, maybe three." She sighed. "Your family looks like it goes back to the medieval period. It makes me wonder just how old you really are. I mean, you look young, and yet, you belong to a family that's super old."
Klaus didn't answer right away, not sure how he was going to explain this to her. He also wasn't sure if she was going to look at him the same way after he explained that he was an ancient hybrid and his siblings were vampires, as well as the fact that his sister-in-law was a witch.
Seeing that he wasn't saying anything, Caroline said, "Klaus, are you okay? You got all quiet there. I didn't say anything wrong, did I?"
Klaus shook his head. "No, love, you didn't say anything wrong."
"Then why did you suddenly go all silent?" Caroline's eyes widened. "Oh my God, your family has some deep, dark secret that you don't want anyone to know about, doesn't it? I mean, what if the records Rebekah gave me reveal that you're a band of killers that hide their victims in the basement?"
As she continued to speak, Klaus heard her heartbeat from where he was standing. Shit, he hoped that she wasn't this scared when he told her who he really was. You may not know what her reaction will be, but you have to tell her. Either that or she'll discover the truth while she's browsing through the records.
Carefully, he approached her and pulled her into his arms, running his fingers through her hair to soothe, feeling her calm down against him, her nervous heartbeat slowly fading. Once she was calm enough, he stepped back and there for a moment, there was silence between them as he looked into her blue eyes with his greenish blue ones. Finally, the quiet got to be too much for him and he decided to speak before he went insane. To hell with the negative reaction, Niklaus, you have to tell Caroline the truth.
"You say that you're wondering just how old my family is. Well, the thing about us living here for centuries? That wasn't an exaggeration. You see, we're not like most people. In fact, we haven't been like most people since the medieval period."
Caroline blinked. "Klaus, are you saying that you're..."
Klaus nodded. "Yes, Caroline, I'm saying that I'm a vampire. Actually, I'm a vampire/werewolf hybrid, the product of an affair between my mother and a werewolf. In fact, she was the reason my siblings and I are what we are. She was a very powerful witch, and she used her magic to turn us into vampires. She even turned my stepfather into a vampire." When Caroline didn't say anything in response, he added, "Please, Caroline, say something."
"I'm just trying to comprehend what it is you're saying to me," said Caroline. "According to you, your mother, who was a powerful witch, had an affair with this guy, who was a werewolf, which resulted in your birth, and then she turned you, your siblings, and your stepfather into vampires. I know that I shouldn't be shocked, since I write about this stuff for a living, but to actually learn that the creatures I write about exist? That's a lot to take in, especially in one sitting." She went to turn and walk away, but she never got far because Klaus grabbed her arm. "Klaus, please, just let me go. I really need to think about this."
"I don't want you to be afraid of me," said Klaus. "I realize that what you just learned is overwhelming, but the last I ever wanted to do was frighten you."
"I'm not afraid."
"You are afraid, I can hear it in your voice and see it in your eyes."
"Okay, so maybe I am, but how do you expect me to react to something like this?"
Klaus didn't answer, but maintained his grip on her arm. Finally, he pulled her to him, capturing her lips with his in a soft yet urgent kiss. Caroline wasn't expecting this to happen, especially with someone she barely knew. Then again, didn't the same thing happen with Destiny and Sebastian in her books? After the initial shock wore off, she returned the kiss, bringing her free hand up to run her fingers through his hair, trembling at the feel of each strand against her skin. Several minutes later, they pulled away and there was another silence, the only audible thing being Caroline's heartbeat.
The silence continued until Caroline said, "Wow, that was..."
"Unexpected?"
"Yeah, very," she replied. "But, it also felt good. Maybe a little too good." She sighed. "Though, it did help take my uneasiness away." She saw that Klaus was still holding her arm. "You could let me go now, you know."
Klaus released her arm. "I apologize for that, love. I never want you to be afraid of me. I swear to you, I would never do anything to hurt you. I want you to feel safe with me."
Caroline nodded. "I know, and I'm sorry if I got scared when you told me the truth about you and your family." Curiously, she added, "Though, there is one thing I'm curious about. It's about Elijah's wife, Amelia. Is she a vampire too?"
"No, she's a witch. Their daughter, Evelyn, is one as well. Amelia does have a sister named Sarah. She was turned into a vampire by our cousin, Warren." He sighed. "Sarah was also married to my brother, Finn, but it was a loveless marriage, much like my mother and stepfather's marriage."
Caroline looked sympathetic. "I'm sorry."
"Not half as sorry as I am for being part of this bloody family." Klaus then stepped back. "I'll leave you to your work."
Before Caroline could protest, he vamp sped out of the room. As she stood there in silence, she thought about what she had just heard. Klaus' family seemed to have a lot of skeletons in their closet, but then again, what family didn't? In fact, the Mikaelsons made hers seem like the Brady Bunch in comparison. She then looked back at the documents she had been looking at before their conversation. Although what she found out was shocking to say the least, she couldn't let it keep her from her work.
This would definitely throw my fans for a loop, she thought. Klaus' story about being the result of a forbidden love affair between his mother and a werewolf is quite intriguing. Kind of makes me rethink Sebastian's origins a bit.
Note: I will end Chapter 4 here. That Klaroline kiss was unexpected, wasn't it? Well, let's just say that it's a preview of things to come. Stay tuned!
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