I woke up in bed, Aurora's head on my bare chest. Vampire sex. Hybrid-Vampire sex. I sighed in delight as I stretched the little I could. Then I started to mull things over in my head and picked my phone up before dialing up my son Marcellus. We need to talk about his daughter. I've come to accept the fact that Marcel is old enough to have a child of his own… I have as of yet to accept the fact that Marcel is a father. I stopped myself from chuckling. I didn't want to wake Aurora.

"Dad? Where are you? Uncle Elijah was wondering about you." I smirked.

"Don't be ridiculous little one. Elijah is furious with me right now. Speaking of fury, how is Davina Claire? Not making any trouble I hope. Or have you reined her in yet?" He cleared his throat.

"She's not causing trouble right now. In fact, she's actually… repentant."

"You better not be lying to me or you'll be the one who's repentant Marcelly."

"Dad! Stop it with that Marcelly thing! I hate that nickname!" I ignored him.

"How's the Strix treating you? You know, since you joined them against my wishes?"

"I've already been punished properly for that infracture." I smirked.

"Yes, I know. I just want to keep you in on who's really in charge of you, who really cares about your well being. Tristan could care less if you died. The only people he came here to protect is Elijah. Not you, not me, not Rebekah. Elijah. He is, after all, his sire. Lucien is here for me. Aurora, Rebekah. They've all made it abundantly clear why they came."

"Then why do you hang out with Aurora?"

"Because right now she's the only lover who accepts me for who I am… or what I'm doing at the moment. I've had a fight with Elijah and the rest of my siblings. Being home isn't exactly on my priority list."

"Even if your kids are at home?"

"I trust them to keep you safe. Besides, you're two hundred years plus. You can look after yourself mostly, and look after your little brother Ty Ty."

"Is that Niklaus?" I heard Elijah ask.

"Gotta go! Bye!" I hung up immediately. I heard Aurora chuckle.

"Niky." I grinned at her. She sat herself upon my bare nether regions. She rubbed herself against me. "Wanna go again?" She asked. I gave her a wicked grin.

"Of course my sweet." I reached my head up to pluck a kiss on her lips but the doors opened and I saw Aya. I groaned. "Strixs!" I grumbled, throwing the covers atop us. Aya chuckled.

"Tristan would like to see his sister, and you, at the table for breakfast." She turned and headed off. I growled.

"No matter where I go there's always someone telling me what to bloody do! I'm a thousand years old! Let the customs rot in hell for all I care." The real reason I stay with these three is because they seem to help keep my undying fury down to a medium. Aurora sighed.

"I love it when you get this way. It just makes my heart flutter." She said silkily. I sighed in pleasure. I licked her lower jaw and she squealed in pleasure. I was encouraged and grabbed her head, pulling her closer to me. I nibbled on her ear lobe before flipping us over and she moaned in pleasure. I heard someone clear their throat and looked behind me to see Lucien.

"Aurora, Tristan said he wants to see you at the table for breakfast and since… you know… Tristan kind of…"

"Okay, okay Lucien. I'll get up. You're such a buzzkill." Lucien smirked.

"Not me, Tristan is. I'm just trying to keep you out of trouble." Trouble? I growled but got off her and got out of bed. Lucien blushed before walking off. Aurora chuckled.

"I'm the only one who likes to see naked Nik."

"Not the only one." I replied. She gave a jealous frown. "Those who I compel will also love to see me naked." I quickly grabbed my clothes and began to get dressed. Nudity isn't my strong suit at places that don't belong to me.

"Niklaus!" I turned around. I'd been walking in the streets, alone. "We have a plan. To take down Tristan. With him gone, we can take down Aurora and Lucien." I gave him a dark smile. Not for the reason he believes but still. I'm great at playing games.

"How's Katerina?" I teased. He frowned.

"Niklaus, please." He pleaded. I shook my head, rolling my eyes.

We were in the living room. We being Elijah, Freya, Vincent, Rebekah, and I. They were talking about their plan to take down the Martels and I had just been told that the Strix had kidnapped Hayley. She'd been on her way to see her pack. I was torn. I liked both sides but… right now I need to pretend to be o their side. Tristan knew who's side I was really on.

"Two Original vampires and two powerful witches against an army of miscreants? I'm rather looking forward to it." Vincent gave me a look and I scoffed at him.

"Keep in mind that I'm mortal, and, as much as I want these guys out of my city, I like breathing. So, let me go to the covens. I can propose an alliance. They hate you guys, but if I explain what's going on…"

"All I think I got from that was you calling yourself immortal." Everyone sighed in exasperation.

"There's no time."

"If Tristan knows what's good for him, he won't harm Hayley." At least that was a truth. I was ignored. I felt my fury rise but I just stood there.

"There never is. But, before we rush into battle, let's keep in mind that Tristan may be the very foe to lead you to your doom. Isn't this exactly what the prophecy foretold? I will not lose any of you"

"Tristan wouldn't even know how to kill a puppy if his life depended on it!" I growled. "Let alone would."

"Brother, perhaps you should stay…" I snorted. You just want to kill Tristan!

"And what kind of father would I be if I didn't fight for the mother of my child?"

"Intention's got nothing to do with it. As long as Tristan de Martel has the Serratura and your baby's mama, the advantage is all his."

"Don't sass me or the first thing I rip will be your tongue!" I snarled.

"Niklaus!" Elijah warned. I looked away from them. I can't let my anger get the better of me, even if we are trying to figure out how to kill my friend… it's like trying to figure out how to kill the Ripper. I hate it with a passion.

"Well, then we should take that advantage from him." Freya said thoughtfully. "I'm gonna need something that belonged to his sister."

I was closing the doors of a shipping unit when I heard Elijah call Tristan. How funny that in the end I'd be betraying both sides of the 'war'.

"If you touch a hair on her head-"

"I'll do my best to restrain my brother, Tristan, but you and I both know that he can be impossibly savage when he wants to be." I looked back at him. Tristan knows I wouldn't harm Aurora, just as I know Tristan won't harm Hayley. It's just a show of power.

"State your terms." Tristan growled.

"You'll meet us at Patrick's Dock, the warehouse. We exchange Aurora for Hayley and the Serratura. Oh, Tristan? I would make it snappy. Unless, of course, you want Niklaus to eviscerate that poor girl." Elijah hung up. I glared at Elijah.

"Elijah, you know for a fact that's not fair. We should be trading two things if we want both."

"I'm surprised at you brother." He replied. "I thought you liked bloodshed and violence."

"Oh, shut up! At least Tristan wanted to defend you. He just had a horrible idea on how. Why use a Serratura when you can use a bloody witch?" Elijah sighed.

"Just do what your supposed to do Niklaus."

"You never listen to me do you?" I snarled but shut up and did as he said. Otherwise, I'd ruin everything. We walked to the center of the room before we were surrounded by other vampires.

"Here they come." I saw Tristan, Aya… and Marcellus! I glared at the child. How dare he! I felt a low growl escape my throat as Tristan began to speak.

"Gentlemen. I wish I could say it was a pleasure."

"Marcellus. Why are you here, and why are you with him?" I demanded.

"Membership has its privileges." Spending so much time with him, I could tell it was more of a question than a statement. He's doing the same as me. Playing both sides. I do it better however. I've done it for years.

"Let's get on with this, shall we?" I want to know what treachery my family has cooked up this time. Tristan turned to a vampire woman and nodded and she and another vampire brought out Hayley. Bloody and shackled. "Kinky." I replied. Elijah gave a grunt of annoyance. When they let go of her, she fell. Oh well. Doesn't really matter, I suppose. At least she's alive.

"Hayley Marshall, only slightly worse for wear. You'll have to forgive her if she seems a bit off. There's enough wolfsbane in her system to kill an entire pack. However, here she is, as requested. Now, where's my sister?" I was about to reply, remembered Elijah and Marcel were here, and turned it into a snarky remark.

"She lives, but only just. You can thank Elijah for that." Stupid brother of mine. I walked over to Tristan, intending to tell him the truth but decided against it. I need to play aggressively or they will know something's up. "I wanted to flay her and hang her skin as a flag." I whispered sweetly. "Anyway, enough chit-chat. Let's conclude this tedious business, shall we?"

"My sister first. And, if you're tempted to argue, consider the numbers." Sorry Tristan, I refuse to fight your Strix. I walked closer to him, showing I wasn't intimidated. I am never intimidated! Tristan looked hurt but quickly covered it up with the best poker face I've ever seen on his face. He stood his ground. A whine almost escaped me but I smirked and gave an evil grin, pointing at a rusty green shipping container, walking over to it. They told me they intended to dump him in the ocean so the best thing to do was to pick one that was almost entirely rusted, but not enough to arouse suspicion. I opened it and when I saw Aurora, I gulped. What the hell is she doing here?! Act natural! "If they try anything, attack." Aya nodded and Tristan vamp sped into the container. He took off the hood and her head rolled on her shoulders. Tristan looked at Aya and she nodded. We were allowed to take Hayley. I let Elijah do that.

"Oh, brother, you came for me." Tristan smiled.

"Always." Tristan stood and pulled Aurora to her feet. She wrapped her arms around him in a hug. I smiled. They have a great relationship. "Come on. Come on." I beamed, unable to help myself as Elijah checked Hayley over for any serious injuries. I saw Aurora reach into Tristan's pocket and pulled out an item. She yanked herself free. He slowly reached to take it from her. I tilted my head in confusion. What's wrong with Aurora? "Rory…? What are you doing?" Aurora slammed the Serratura against the wall. I took a step to vamp over but staid my pace, gulping as I watched the horror unfold. The container shook, Aurora looked at Tristan with a strange expression, as Tristan realized what happened. He tries to run out of the shipping container but was blocked. Tristan looked at Aurora in horror. "No… Aurora… What have you done to us?" I bit my lip, worried.

"Not to us…" Aurora walked out, right past the barrier. I backed up, surprised. The hell is she?! "To you." I stared at her, horrified. She betrayed her brother?! Suddenly she turned into Camille. … Am I drunk? Or am I dreaming? What the hell is going on?! Then it hit me. A glamour spell. That still doesn't explain how! Tristan was furious.

"What is this?"

"You know what they say- payback's a bitch." He was horrified, I was stumped until I recognized something. A scent. A strange scent coming from Camille.

"How is this possible?"

"The Serratura creates an impenetrable boundary. Nothing living or dead can pass through." Elijah replied. Clue number one! Camille looked at me cautiously.

"I'm neither, thanks to Aya." I blinked. The hell you mean neither?! You're a fucking human!

"No. No. NO!" I vaguely heard Tristan yelling and heard him vamp against the barrier before banging on it a few times. Rebekah rushed out and joined Camille. Vampire? Or Hu-! Oh my God! She's in transition! I growled. Now is not the time to figure out how this bloody happened! Tristan looked at the Strix and I copied him. Bloody traitors! I snarled and turned to attack them but Elijah grabbed hold of my wrist, quickly getting in front of me. "What are you waiting for? Take them! Now!" Just as they were about to attack, Elijah stepped forward.

"Before you rush headlong toward almost certain death… As your sire, I would like you to employ just a little bit of common sense." He stated, trying to keep me under control as well as protect Hayley.

"We are ancient vampires, Elijah- each of us almost as strong as you."

"I WILL RIP YOU APART!" I glared at Aya. Elijah shrugged.

"You might almost be successful in subduing us, but at what price? Most of you will die in the process, and for what? To avenge a fool marching you headlong toward your very extinction in the name of a witch's prophecy? You do realize he engineered absolutely all of this purely to satisfy some petty grievance against my family?" Elijah turned and walked toward the container, smiling fakely at Tristan. I need to do something or all hell will break loose.

"Elijah!" I snarled. "You're taking it too far! Do you seriously want to be giving them ideas?! If their from your bloodline, then surely they have your tenacity." He turned to look at me. He seemed to think better of whatever he was going to say. Instead he walked to Aya.

"I am not your enemy. It's true, I delivered you into this existence. I can just as easily pluck you out of it. The choice is yours to make." Aya looked torn. Marcel quickly marched over and blocked her, Aya and I both giving him a look of betrayal. I could feel my anger spiraling out of control.

"It's done. The moment has passed. Be smart, Aya. Smarter than Tristan. Don't waste any more of our guys." She turned to the rest of the Strix.

"Stand down." I groaned, looking painfully at Tristan since no one was paying attention to me anyway. Tristan was furious.

"You will not abandon me!" Aya walked toward where Tristan was trapped, Elijah preventing me from causing the fight, and gave him a regretful look.

"It's a shame it has to end like this."

"Aya, this isn't over!" Aya put her right hand over her heart in a salute.

"May the ghosts of our fallen keep you company." She said coldly. I sneered at her. When I get away from this place, the first to die will be her. The Strix left the warehouse. Tristan shouted after them.

"Aya. Aya! AYA!"

We were back at the house now and I had just been told what Rebekah, Freya, and Camille had done. Camille had been injured to near death and Freya and Rebekah had used her to help the plan. I was furious. I don't know what to do!

"You need to feed Camille!" I ordered her. "Otherwise you will die! You know that as well as I do. I've told you the first time we met, the first time we ever had a 'session'."

"I'm sorry Klaus." She replied. I growled.

"If you don't feed, I will make you feed!" I stopped myself from threatening her uncle. That would be going over the line, even for me. … Actually, no, it wouldn't. It be over the line for our friendship. I will compel Lucien to make her feed! Once again, Elijah got in the way. "I won't let her die." This is what I get for leaving the house for so long. Elijah sighed.

"If you care for her, you will let her choose." I scoffed at him. As if he would do the same! I swatted his hand away and jerked from his grip, baring my teeth at him.

"I will not lose her because of your stupid principles!" I snarled in his face. Elijah didn't even flinch.

"Allow her the dignity of this choice, Niklaus. You force her, you lose her forever."

"You forget I can compel her!" I snarled. This time Elijah gave me a warning look. He tapped me on the chest.

"We finish this." I feel so helpless! So angry! Damn it Freya! Damn it Rebekah! This is the first time I've ever been betrayed by Freya. Not so much by Rebekah. Hayley and Elijah walked over to the container.

"So, this is to be my end?" Elijah smiled and I gave a weak smirk.

"No, no. This is the very beginning! You are going to the bottom of the ocean, where you will drown in darkness again and again and again over the course of centuries." I gulped. How… despicable. "This will be your splendidly horrific and perpetual end."

"What have you done with my sister?" He asked, worried.

"She's safe." I gulped, looking away from everyone. "But, I assure you, her death will be spectacular." Elijah went to close the door but Hayley stopped him. I scoffed before throwing my head to the side before settling down again.

"Wait." She walked forward to look Tristan in the eye. I want Lucien. I need to know where the bloody hell Aurora is. "Remember my face." She started to close the door. "Because it's gonna be the last one you ever see." I glared at her as she slammed the door shut, hard.

"Oh, I'm sorry little wolf. I didn't know he hurt you that badly." I sneered.

"Why do I get the odd feeling you don't really care?" Hayley sneered back. I scoffed at her before vamping away.

As I was screaming in the bayou in sheer fury, I heard my phone buzz. I'd called Lucien and told him of how Aurora might be in danger. I answered the phone. "What?" I snapped.

"Aurora's gone." Freya replied. I froze.

"What did you just say to me?" I asked flatly.

"Aurora's gone, Klaus." I licked my lips. Lucien. "Klaus?" I took a deep breath.

"How can Aurora be gone?" I demanded angrily. Playing both sides is beginning to get tiresome.

"Oh. Apologies I left your lunatic ex unattended. See, I was busy casting the spell that saved the day. The effort left me a little taxed." I growled, to let her hear my 'anger'.

"Some witch you are. She was drugged into a stupor and confined by your spell!" I sneered. I sighed in exhaustion.

"Well, she couldn't have broken free of my barrier on her own. Either she was aided by a witch, or someone who has access to dark objects."

"Lucien." I smiled. At least I have one good thing to thank for today. I headed home, my real home. I needed to be near them. They've lost a lot and I miss Tyler, Kolinn, and Geena.