AN: Thank you for all the reviews, follows and notes. :) So now the offensive is on. Everyone is looking for Claire Dubois. I need to think about the next chapter, but maybe I'll do an update this weekend too. This is not a Kol/Bonnie love story but I do love them together. The next chapter will be revisiting some of Dark Klaus, so for those that do not care for that, you should be able to read Chapter 8 without skipping any major plot points.
I do not own the Vampire Diaries or Originals Characters. I own the story. ****Note: This story contains themes of an adult nature, including and not limited to rape, murder, kidnapping, domination, submission and more. If you are uncomfortable with themes of this nature, please do not read. This story may cause triggers*****
Chapter 7
The next morning, Caroline woke up to see Klaus as still as he had been the previous day. It was peaceful in the room. Sebastian was sleeping on one of the sofa's when Caroline heard someone coming up the stairs. They both jumped to attention. When the door flew open, there stood Nadia in all her European beauty. "Well I'm not trying to kill Klaus so you can all relax…yes?"
Nadia walked towards the bed. "Klausss." She traced the back of her fingers along the side of his face. It was a very tender gesture on her part, one that made Caroline's hair stand on end; however, she immediately blew it off and walked towards the girl.
"Hi Nadia." She gave her a hug which kind of surprised her.
Over the next couple of days, other sired hybrid's showed up to show their support. The grounds were teaming with supernatural beings. It was kind of unnerving to Caroline. For a moment, she wondered how many people she knew in her previous life were something other than what they appeared to be.
Elijah was keeping in touch as promised. He and Rebekah were chasing down leads to Claire, but so far they hadn't been able to find her. He left word that Bonnie and Kol would be back in the next day or two to try to lift the curse. Caroline was kind of shocked and impressed by how many people showed up to give support for Klaus. One thing was for sure, the witches would definitely have their hands full. Apparently you could be a monster and be someone liked by people, although in all fairness, most were sired hybrids so she wasn't sure if that exactly counted.
A couple of days passed when Kol swept into the room in his normal fashion with his killer smile and good looks. This time though he was holding Bonnie's hand. Apparently things were happening there. They both looked ecstatically happy disregarding the 'Klaus dying thing'.
"So I found the spell to break the possession. I'm sure it will work. The witches were right behind us. No sooner had she said the words than Caroline heard the cars pull up down stairs. They filed into the room, behind Bonnie. She crossed the room to where Klaus was presently passed out. The witches followed her and surrounded the bed.
She pulled a smudge stick out of her bag which she lit and then placed one hand on Klaus while she started repeating the incantation. One of the witches copied her and they all joined hands around the hybrid to form a circle. Inveniere potencia reparon malifica. Inveniere potencia reparon malifica. As they repeated the words, her eyes rolled back in her head and all the lights in the room shattered. The fire in the fireplace blew up and a wind appeared out of nowhere; then everything blew out. They stood in absolute silence for a few moments. Caroline looked around, no one seemed at all wierded out by what just happened so she stood there quietly.
"I broke the link to the spell." She raised the candles in the room and the fireplace with her hand. Okay that was impressive. Sebastian called one of the guards on duty to replace the light bulbs in the room, saying there was some kind of electrical surge. Stirring from his sleep, Klaus started to regain consciousness as he looked at the scene that surrounded him. Immediately on the defensive, he backed up in the bed and stared at Bonnie. "Who are you?"
"I'm the witch that just saved your life for now. Who is Claire?" He was clearly confused by the scene around him as he looked at everyone in the room.
"Claire?"
"Claire. The witch that attacked you is Claire Dubois. She has a coven behind her and she's angry. The spirits are not happy with her, but unfortunately, she is using a combination of expression and traveler's magic." In his confusion, he started sweating and looking from side to side.
"Okay, everyone…we can ask him questions in a bit. Everyone back off for a moment." Caroline approached him. He grabbed her hand. Everyone backed away from the bed to give him a little space. After all, he'd been out of it for weeks.
Caroline sat on the bed beside him, he was still clutching her hand like his personal savior. "Klaus how do you feel?"
"I…I'm hungry. Caroline please get everyone out of here for a bit." Snapping her head around, "Someone please call for a couple of blood bags and then everyone leave for a little while. There is a sitting room on the first floor."
"Thank you." From the look on his face, she could tell he was uncomfortable with people seeing him in such a weakened condition.
"Why are there so many people here?"
"Klaus what do you remember?"
"I remember being sick and then I was dreaming of…I was dreaming and I felt like my insides were collapsing and tearing apart."
"Well, Kol found a witch, Bonnie, who broke the link to the spell. Elijah and Rebekah are trying to locate Claire Dubois and kill her or something. She's after you for something Klaus. Everyone's here because they are ready for war with the witches."
"Caroline." Beautiful gray blue eyes gazing up at her like she was the Madonna herself.
"Umm." Caroline was a little taken back by his intensity at the moment and she made sure everyone was out of the room. There was a knock at the door, so she took her hand away from his and went to get him the blood.
"Here. This should make you feel better." She pressed the tube to his mouth. He drank it down like he hadn't eaten in years. The second was gone too. While he was making the other bag disappear, she called down for two more blood bags. His color, if he had any, was starting to return and he didn't look grey anymore.
That's when it hit Caroline. "OMG!" She took the key out of the drawer and called Kol and Bonnie back up to the room. As soon as they reappeared a few moments later, Caroline ran to the coffin room. "Claire Dubois!" That's where she had seen the name. She flew through the door and found the ornate wooden box with all the letters inside. Fishing through the letters, she found the one she was looking for.
Walking back in the room, "I give you Claire Dubois." She handed the letter to Bonnie. "Now we can do a locator spell, yes?" Bonnie read the letter and was fuming from the contents.
"What is this?"
"Klaus has very dark tastes."
Bonnie was visibly angry and glaring at the hybrid. "You did this to a witch?"
"I didn't know she was a witch at the time if that makes you feel any better." A judgmental look crossed Bonnie's face.
"Okay Klaus. I am going to block this spell. I am going to help you. I want your word that you will never do this to another witch again. I want your word that not only will you not do this to another witch, but that you will protect the Bennett line."
"Well I would say that my current predicament would already preclude the fact that I wouldn't be stupid enough to do this to another witch."
"Klaus, your word."
"Fine. I will never do this to another witch and I will protect the Bennett line."
Satisfied she held out her hand, "Look Klaus, this is no laughing matter. This witch and her coven are strong and I guarantee you this does not end tonight." She studied him as he lay there smugly glaring at her. "Give me one of your necklaces." Reaching up he removed the black beaded rosary he always wore and handed it to her.
"Really? A rosary?" She eyed him as she laid it on the bed and said an incantation over it. There was a rush of energy as she sealed the spell and handed the necklace back to Klaus. "This will protect you from that spell, however, it will not protect you from all magic. Klaus the spirits are not happy with you, but they aren't happy with the coven either. This witch wants you dead and she possesses the power to at least seriously injure you."
Once Klaus had the necklace back on and was resting comfortably, Kol, Bonnie and Caroline headed to the seating area so they could do a locator spell. Bonnie lit the letter on fire and the map simultaneously caught fire and burned away until all that was left was Chicago. "Well that was helpful. Kol you should call back Elijah and Rebekah and tell them the witches are here." He nodded as he walked away and dialed Elijah.
Klaus was standing behind them. "Shouldn't you be resting?"
"How can I rest when there is a coven that wishes to destroy me? I think my time is better spent figuring out how to keep this latest threat at bay." Rolling her eyes, Caroline went back to the map.
"So there's no way to figure out where they are exactly?"
"I have it figured out to a small sub-section of Chicago. Other than that no; but at least we know they are here. My guess is that they will attack soon. It would be very helpful if we could find some leads on the travelers, then we could at least figure out what kind of traveler magic it is, it might narrow it down a bit." It was a few hours later when Elijah came in as they were planning on how to divide up the city to find Claire. Upon seeing Klaus, Elijah hugged Klaus. Rebekah appeared minutes later and had a similar response. Exchanging a look that said so much more than 'Always and Forever', everyone gathered around the table and talked about how to deal with the coming threat.
Elijah and Kol detailed the people to Klaus that had come to support the family and what had happened in the weeks that Klaus had been out of commission. Klaus listened. Every now and then, Klaus would steal a glance at Caroline. It unnerved her. Bonnie and Kol were the first to leave hand in hand, to track down leads in Chicago. There was a coven that Bonnie was familiar with and they wanted to see if they had any disturbances or contacts. Elijah and Rebekah decided to stick around for awhile and do some research in the library on Traveler magic. Everyone trickled out of the room. The mansion was full. Every room occupied.
"Klaus…" Caroline started. "I know you have been out of it for awhile…."
"Caroline…thank you. I know I don't deserve what you did, but I appreciate it all the same." His eyes searched hers. There was a softness in them that she had never witnessed. At that moment he looked truly vulnerable, as if he was a completely different person. Shaking herself out of the trance that she caught herself in.
"It's fine. I mean…you're welcome. Klaus, Genevieve is still here."
"I'm sure Genevieve is fine. I'm not going to pay her a visit anytime soon. Would you please just explain that I'm indisposed and that she should continue to spend time with Mrs. Erdman?"
"Yes. Sure…I'll do that. How do you feel?"
"Love, I'm a little weak still. I feel enraged, but it's not the time for rash action." His voice trailed off as he started focusing in on that feeling. Grabbing her hand again, "Will you come back Caroline?...Please?"
His entire state was catching her completely off guard. Hesitating for a moment and looking deep in his eyes, she stammered… "Yes. I'll come back as soon as I talk to her."
Caroline headed down the stairs to Genevieve's room and knocked on the door. She heard the girl's voice timidly say "Yes?" It was abnormal for people to knock. Caroline threw open the door. Genevieve was sitting on the bed reading.
"Hi Genevieve. I'm sorry that no one has been down to talk to you. Klaus is not feeling well and has been in bed for awhile. It's going to be awhile until you see him. He said to just continue your lessons and make yourself at home. If you need anything, call one of the servants."
"Oh…okay." She seemed rather disappointed that she was going to be alone for longer. Caroline could relate; it was a pretty lonely existence where no one would talk to you and you could not really go outside or even outside your room.
"Well maybe I'll come down and have lunch with you one day if you want to?" It was more of a question than a statement.
"Sure…that would be nice Caroline. Thank you." Her words had a hint of relief to them. Caroline departed feeling better about the girl; after all it was difficult to be in this situation. She vowed never to forget that feeling.
Starting up the stairs to the third floor, she realized exactly how exhausted she was. It had been a long several weeks. Things were as chaotic as ever. Somehow things were better though now that Klaus was back. It was a little terrifying though, knowing the lengths he had gone to with her and with others. She wondered why Klaus didn't turn Claire. Caroline couldn't help but thinking if he had none of this would be happening right now. Claire was definitely not a victim. What was it that made him choose? It truly bothered Caroline. Brushing it out of her mind, she concentrated on the task at hand and just made her way back to Klaus's room, where she found him sitting on the sofa with a bourbon and staring into the fire. His eyes drifted up to Caroline's face.
"Love…please" he motioned to the other sofa. "I've so missed our chats. How are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling torn. On one hand, you do terrible things, on the other hand, I'm sired to you and I can't help feeling protective. I really thought you were going to die and not to be selfish but I would really appreciate it if you wouldn't do that, since I would die too."
A smirk spread across his beautiful full lips and transformed into a full smile. "Well love, I don't plan on dying. It's rather difficult to kill me."
"Well, Klaus, they gave it a good go. You were out for weeks." Grimacing, Caroline couldn't help but feel a pang go through her heart.
Klaus stood and extended his hand to Caroline who eyed it suspiciously. "Love, please just stay with me tonight." Exhaling a deep breath, she took his hand and followed him to the bed. He didn't do anything or say anything, they simply laid there staring at the ceiling of the massive bed and talked for hours. Caroline got the feeling that he just didn't want to be alone.
The next morning the mansion was alive with activity; Caroline woke with a start and realized that Klaus was gone. She found everyone downstairs in the library with piles of books lying around. Klaus and Elijah were arguing about the origin of some Traveler spell or other. Rebekah was flipping through a book. Sebastian and Nadia seemed to be doing more flirting than anything. Everyone looked up at Caroline as she entered; then immediately went back to whatever they were doing previously.
"Soooo…what's going on?" She interrupted.
Klaus looked over at her again. "Good morning Caroline. We were just researching."
Raising and eyebrow, "is that what it's called?"
Through the day, everyone read and announced anytime they found anything remotely related, then there was a back and forth process of destroying the theory, which usually erupted in an argument between Klaus and Elijah.
By the time Kol and Bonnie made an appearance much later in the day, everyone had just about given up. They too had a day of absolutely no leads, although their relationship was definitely making great progress. Kol barely left her side and maintained contact almost always. In truth, Caroline was kind of envious. They seemed genuinely 'in like' with each other, the looks on their faces when they looked at each other was just 'more' every time she saw them. It was like watching love bloom. She sighed as they kissed and everyone looked at her. Ooops…room full of vampires with super hearing. Smiling, she shook her head and went back to reading.
After deciding that there had been enough reading and enough arguing, Klaus suggested everyone have dinner. It was a lovely evening. Klaus of course ended the evening with playing the piano and showing his artwork. He so loved an audience.
Kol and Bonnie were leaving early the next morning to go search out more witches. Elijah headed back to see Hayley at his house. Rebekah went to her room early. Nadia and Sebastian continued their chat out in the conservatory, which left Klaus and Caroline alone, yet again.
It was cold outside, otherwise he would have asked her to go for a walk and there was the additional problem of a coven of angry witches that seemed hell bent on destroying him. He didn't have the courage to tell Caroline about his time being passed out. One thing was for sure though, something had changed during that time. "Do you want to join me for a drink Caroline?"
"Sure. Okay Klaus, what is with the nice act? You've been totally different since you woke up and not that I don't appreciate it but it's just not you."
He crossed to the bar to make them a drink. "Well love, maybe I've reformed."
She snorted at the assertion. His eyes turned cloudy. "So is that it? Am I beyond redemption?" His eyes coldly staring her down as he handed her the drink.
"I don't know Klaus. I mean I hope you've at least learned a lesson from all this." She barely got the words out before he pulled her roughly to him and his lips came crashing down on hers. His tongue forced her lips apart searching, she met his fierce invasion. A growl escaped his throat as he pulled away, stared her down…and left. "Good night Caroline. Sleep well love."
Floored, she said nothing as he walked away. Okay. What was that? She wondered if he was going to take his anger out on Genevieve but she listened and he definitely went to his bed chamber on the third floor. She took her time ascending the winding staircase, unable to free herself from the thoughts plaguing her mind.
Once in her room, she realized she hadn't spent the night in her room in a really long time. She had been back and forth to get clothes, but she had been in Klaus's room either in his bed or on the sofa for the last three weeks. It would be nice to relax a little bit. It had been exhausting. She decided to relax with a nice long bath. She called on the intercom to see if someone could light the fireplace in her room. As she stepped into the bathtub, she heard someone come in the room and tuned out.
It was about a half hour later when she walked out in just a robe to the room and saw Klaus sitting there. "Sorry love. I lit your fireplace, I dismissed the guard. I ran into him on my way in."
Sighing, "Klaus what are you doing here?"
"I knew you were there."
"You knew I was where?"
"I knew you were there beside me in my bed while I was incapacitated. I heard everything you said. I could feel you beside me."
"Umm…okay? And?"
"I just wanted to tell you that…" He paused. "That I appreciated you…well that I appreciated you." With that, he turned and left…again.
Shaking her head in exasperation, she climbed into bed and decided to finish her book, which she didn't because she fell asleep immediately.
The next morning, Caroline awoke feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. Kol and Bonnie were planning on leaving early so they would be gone. She listened closely for Elijah, but there was nothing. The servants were running around and Sebastian and Nadia were eating breakfast. Klaus's side of the mansion was unusually quiet, feeling a momentary stab of fear, she headed for his room. "Enter Caroline."
"Love your heart is beating loud enough to hear three states away." He grinned.
"Whatever, I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I didn't hear anything."
"I was just thinking about my friend Claire Dubois." Okay interest piqued.
