****1862****
Devon sighed as he plopped down into the lounge chair in disappointment. The man teaching him to control the strange powers –whom had turned out to be a vampire- had left out of frustration. Their training had not been fruitful, and with each day that passes without success, his frustration levels elevated.
"Why is it so hard to do a simple spell?" Devon mumbled to himself as he rested his head his hands.
"Maybe because the one teaching you has no idea how to teach magic." A voice sounded from the other side of the room.
Whipping around, Devon saw the man he had 'met' a week ago. The same one that had pinned him to the wall – and sniffed him like a creep - was now leaning against the frame of the entrance way.
"And you would know how?"
Instead of an answer, the man – Kol, as he said his name was last time they met- walked over and sat down in the chair across from him.
"Close your eyes," when the fae went to argue, Kol continued," Don't argue, mate, just do it."
Devon huffed slightly but conceded and closed his eyes.
"Now focus. Feel the energy swelling inside. It is like a ball, all you have to do is reach out and grasp it. It is a different feeling for each person, but it should feel like something akin to happiness."
True to what the vampire said, Devon could sense something almost in the pit of his stomach. Something that, when the fae focused on it, felt like pure serenity. A question asking if he felt it came from the other in the room so quiet that Devon almost missed it, though in his tranquility the fae still managed to nod slightly.
"Good, mate." Kol murmured as he lent in to whisper in Devon's ear, "Now I want you to picture the kitchen, and when you do, tug at the power that you feel."
Again listening to the instructions of the vampire, Devon felt a strange surge in his chest and opened his eyes and to his amazement, was in the room he had been picturing in his mind. Closing his eyes, Devon repeated the process and opened his eyes to find himself back in the den in front of the vampire.
Kol gave a charming smirk as excitement spread across the other's face before it turned to shock as he was slammed with a sudden and unexpected embrace. The blue eyed man's ecstatic appreciations ran together so fast that the original could not comprehend much at all.
"It seems that you have been entertained while I was out," Klaus' voice sounded out from behind making Devon release Kol from the hug and gaze at the other original.
Klaus smiled slightly at Devon's embarrassed expression before turning to his brother and saying," Unfortunately, I am going to have to ask you to leave, Kol. This is my project and you were not invited."
In response, Kol stepped closer to the fae and slung his arm around him before replying," Well, brother, it seems I am needed, seeing as you have had him here for days and had yet to make progress. I am here for just a few minutes and have already helped him."
"I don't want to leave." Kol concluded as he set his head on the fae's shoulder with a smirk.
****present day****
Devon watched as Klaus paced across the soon to be living room. While talking out loud, Klaus had come up with an idea on how to get the council members on his side. Though, to get the council to trust him, Klaus would have to have his hybrids stop murdering people; the only problem with the idea was the Scooby gang.
"Damon should have called by now, begging for my not to hurt you. Why isn't he?" Klaus growled out as he continued pacing.
Shrugging, Devon replied," Maybe, Elena has not told him."
"Why would she not?" Klaus retorted as he stopped to glare at his only friend," It would end the dangers to her brother and everyone else she cares about."
"How should I know? But racking your mind about it won't solve anything. She isn't going to tell Damon, so just wait for an opportunity to show and tell him yourself."
Sighing, Klaus agreed and let the topic drop and instead focused on getting ready for the party at the Lockwood's house.
"When it's time for the party, put on the tux I found you, okay, pet? I want you to fit in to the party if I need you. You can stay in the shadows till then as I suspect you would want to."
**** With Elena and Alaric****
"I didn't really sleep last night." Elena grunted as she punched the bag.
"Neither did I," Rick admitted," Probably something to do with dying."
"Are you okay?" She inquired.
"No, I'm fine. " He insisted," I think the ring however, is running low on batteries."
"Yeah, it's another reason Jeremy has to get out of this town. If those rings have a shelf life, than he is not safe, neither are you." Elena remarked as she kicked the bag.
"I have been meaning to ask you, how was I healed? Damon said it wasn't him or Caroline and I doubt that Stefan took time to help someone other than himself. So who did?"
Looking down to the left, Elena conceded,"… Do you remember the thing that was following Klaus?"
Eyebrows raising in worry Alaric asked," You made a deal with Klaus?"
"No, no, didn't." Elena insisted as she waved her hands," Just listen. He didn't ask for anything. But after he had healed you, he told me something…"
After waiting a second for her to continue, the hunter inquired," And what did he tell you?"
Sighing, Elena looked to him and gave in saying," He's a witch, or something like a witch. He was dead, but somehow, Klaus brought him back."
"Why would Klaus resurrect some witch, and how would he even be able to do that?" Rick questioned as he folded his arms across his chest.
"I don't know, but… his name is Devon Salvatore-"
"Salvatore?!" the man rose his eyebrows in surprise.
"… He's Damon's twin brother. Klaus plans to use him to get his family back. Make a trade, family for family." Elena continued.
Alaric turned and began to walk away, intending to talk to Damon till Elena ran in front of him and stopped him.
"Rick, you can't tell Damon!"
Bewildered, Alaric rejoined," His twin brother is in the hands of a hybrid who can't be killed, Elena. His brother could be being tortured by Klaus by now, and you want me to keep it from him?!"
"If we tell him, he will do something reckless and could get himself or others killed. He needs to focus getting Stefan in control, he can't have the distraction."
After a moment, the hunter retorted," He still deserved to know, it's his brother, Elena. He is going to be pissed if he finds out we knew about him all along."
"I know, just please, don't tell him yet."
***with Devon***
Devon followed Stefan from the shadows as the vampire sauntered into Klaus' home. He saw as Stefan leaned on the side of the house as Klaus turned to face him. Not surprisingly, the two engaged in faux friendly banter till Stefan got to the point and demanded Klaus get rid of the hybrids or he would kill them.
"Hmm, see if you continue to threaten me, I am going to be forced to retaliate. Kill people, and it will get messy again." Klaus warned.
"Do whatever you want, I don't really care." Stefan insisted with a shrug," Or you know what? Maybe I do… Yeah. Maybe I care so much that I drop Elijah into the artic."
"See here is the part I did not tell you. For now you have my family hidden. But, once you move them I will know. And it does not matter where you put them, I will find them."
"Oh, and how would you do that may I ask?" Stefan asked calling a bluff.
"Have you forgotten already, dear Stefan?" Klaus asked as he looked to where Devon hid.
Turning, Stefan looked to where the hybrid looked and at first saw nothing till Devon appeared, his face devoid of emotion. At Stefan's frozen form, Klaus smirked as he walked closer and leaned in to whisper something to the vampire.
"I wonder; what will your dear brother do when he finds out you let his twin be tortured all for fruitless revenge. Unlike you, little Devon over there cannot disobey or trick me. He will find where ever you hid my family. So you see Stefan, you have nothing now. With my new pet, it is only a matter of before I get them back."
With that Stefan sped away; Klaus ordered his first hybrid, Tyler, to bite the blonde vampire half in retaliation to Stefan's failed attempt at a threat and half to get the sheriff on his side. The hybrid refused and Klaus told him that he would find another way. It was only a matter of time before Tyler bit the girl though, for he could not disobey the sire bond. Once Tyler left, Klaus turned to Devon with a smile.
"Get dressed, mate, it's time for a party."
*** At the founders party***
None of the council knew of Devon so he had to stay in the shadows for the party. Though he liked the shadows and felt safer and more protected within them, Devon had yet to enjoy an actual party as himself since he got out of the coffin; the senior party at Tyler's did not count for Devon had to pretend to be Damon and worry about a murderous original hunter.
He watched as Klaus mingled with the council, and warmed up to the mayor with a promise of money and protection. Even when being the most feared and hated being in the town, Klaus had a way of wrapping humans around his fingers.
Devon's twin entered with the hunter and, when the hunter went his own way, Damon walked over to Carol. The mayor told of Klaus' promise and informed the vampire that if he didn't get Stefan under control, then the council would. After Damon walked away, the fae lost interest in what was happening till Damon came back and insisted to talking with Klaus.
After walking in a private room, Klaus asked," What now? You just pulled me away from a fascinating conversation about landscaping the town square."
"Stefan just grabbed Elena."
"What? He's getting desperate." Klaus stated as he bent down to sniff the flowers in the room.
"He is going to try to use her against you." Damon insisted," Do what he says, get rid of your hybrids."
"Or what?" Klaus countered rising from his position," He would never dream of killing her."
"Are you sure about that? He just tried to behead someone in the middle on a council party, he is operating on crazy right now." Damon insisted.
"Crazy or not, that kind of love never dies. He's bluffing." Klaus said with a smile.
"Maybe he is, Maybe he isn't. But if you don't want to believe him then believe me. I know my brother better than anyone. And right now, I don't have a clue how far he is willing to take this. So if he says-"Damon started before Klaus interrupted him.
"Even if he is not bluffing, he won't be able to do it in time." Klaus interjected," I hope you haven't forgotten about my very useful friend."
With Damon's silence, Klaus walked closer and continued," I wonder, has your brother or your precious Elena told you about him."
"Why would they?" Damon questioned.
"Oh, because they know who he is, they have for a while now, and you of all people should have been told by at least one of the two people you care most for."
Looking to the fae's position behind Damon, Klaus exclaimed," Come out… Devon."
Damon turned around slowly his eyes widened at his mirror image standing across from himself. The man who's death has been haunting him for years, Damon's best friend since the beginning, the one who would protect Damon from their father's rage: Devon, his twin. The fae looked to his awe struck brother in sadness as he walked closer to the motionless vampire.
"Devon?" Damon whispered as his hand came to rest on his twin's cheek.
"Hey there, little Raven." Devon replied softly as he mirrored his twin's movements.
"You're real? How? Why are you with Klaus?" Damon asked as he moved his thumb to caress his brother's cheek.
Klaus' phone rings making him leave the room, though neither of the two saw, both too engrossed to even notice his lack of presence.
"I wanted to tell you for so long, but I couldn't, not if I wanted you and Stefan to stay unharmed. Stefan knew when all of this started, he was supposed to stop this and save me. Once he refused, I gave the role to Elena. I was sure she would help me. I'm sorry, Dam." Devon replied as he shook his head as his voice broke slightly.
Closing the distance between then, Damon pulled the fae into a tight embrace. The vampire felt his brother set his head on his shoulder and they stayed in silence enjoying their reuniting.
"Don't worry Dev, I'm here now. I won't let anything happen to you anymore." Damon promised squeezing him.
The tender moment was then broken when the original hybrid stormed into the room while on the phone and gave him a silent command to find and stop Stefan. With a quick locator spell, Devon prepared to teleport into Stefan's car when Damon stopped him with a pleading look.
"I'm sorry, Dam." Devon mumbled breaking out of their embrace," I have to."
With that the fae vanished from his brother's sight. Damon looked to the smiling hybrid with a glare -that did not do well to mask his sadness - as the original hung up his phone in the middle of Stefan talking.
"What have you done to him?" Damon muttered no able to raise his voice enough to yell.
Klaus smiled and replied," Now you know the proposition I told the others; your family for mine. He won't leave unless I tell him to. I've trained him well."
Stepping closer, Damon growled out," He is not some animal for you to train."
"Animal or not mate, he listens to me." Klaus countered as his smile grew.
***in Stefan's car***
"What is going on?" Klaus asked from the other side of the line.
"I just fed her my blood, no more hybrids if she is a vampire."
"You won't do it" Klaus insisted.
"Really? Try me, 'cos your coffins are next to g-"before Stefan could finish, the line went dead and the car started to slow down.
"What's going on?" Elena asked looking over to the confused vampire as the car came to a stop.
"Dun duh duh dun! Here comes the dashing hero to save the young princess from the evil dragon." Devon's sounded out from the back making them both whip around in their seats to look at him.
"Damon!" Elena exclaimed in relief.
Rolling his eyes, Devon looked to the human and replied, "Geeze you are dense. How could Damon, a vampire, magically appear in the back seat of a moving vehicle, miles away from where he was, and magically make the car stop?"
"What are you doing, Devon?" Stefan growled out.
"You were told before, there is no way you can win. No matter what you do, I can stop you in an instant." Devon drawled with a tilt of the head.
"Why are you doing this? I can beat Klaus if you stop butting in!" Stefan shouted as they both got out of the car.
"Because it doesn't matter what you do, he will win. Even if you throw them in the Atlantic, he will find them eventually. You kill Elena, another Doppelganger will come along eventually. All you are doing is getting the ones you care for killed. Again."
Stefan stepped closer causing Devon to jump and take a step back making Stefan stop. Trying to quell the fear he had for his own brother, Devon let out a shaky breath and looked to his youngest brother.
"Just do what Klaus says; give him his family back. You can't do anything else." Devon advised before vanishing into the shadows of the night.
With the fae's disappearance, Elena got out of the car and started walking away while crying. Unknown to them, the fae was still in their presence staying to make sure the human stayed safe. He watched as the two argued, the girl crying while the vampire close to tears. Feeling he was intruding in on their fight, Devon stopped listening though stayed in fear Stefan would attack her. Instead, he focused on trying to dull the tightness in his chest caused by the sadness of leaving his brother so soon after just reuniting.
Soon enough, the vampire left in his car leaving the girl crying on the street. Feeling sorry for her, Devon took pity and teleported her to her house before teleporting back to Klaus'. When he got there, He saw his friend looking at a small box his hands with a small smile.
"What is that?" Devin questioned trying to get the day's events out of his head.
"It is bracelet…" the original replied as he gazed at the bracelet with a look Devon had never seen before… fondness?
"It is for Caroline. As an apology and a birthday present." Klaus continued.
"Has my little Niky found himself a mate?" Devon joked halfheartedly.
"Shut up, would you?" Klaus said with fake glare as he walked out of the house.
***at the gilbert house***
Elena on her couch in a daze when her front door slammed open. Whipping around, Elena saw Damon glaring at her from the entrance.
"Damon?" Elena questioned unsure.
Damon glared making her flinch before he snapped," Who else would it be?"
Elena's eyes widened in realization as she replied," You know…"
"Know what? That you knew about Devon this whole time? That you let him be held by Klaus going through who knows what? That you lied to me about someone whose death has been haunting me for a hundred and fifty year, Elena?" Damon ranted his fury rising with each word.
Elena put her hands up in front of her as Alaric and Jeromy came from the kitchen at Damon's yelling. When seeing Damon's expression, Rick ordered Jeromy upstairs as he stepped in front of the two fighting.
"I can explain!" Elena insisted.
"How?! What reason could you have to not tell me? Devon could have been killed with all the demands Stefan made. Can you even imagine what he was put through?" Damon growled out.
"Damon, Calm down! We knew you would react like this," Rick stepped in trying to mediate the situation," We couldn't have you barging to his rescue and get him and many others killed in the process."
Damon growled and left before he got violent with the humans. Running to the woods, Damon opted to break a few trees and drink the blood of passing hikers. After a few hours, his anger dulled and sadness took hold. But no matter how much he loved her, he doubted he could forgive her -or Stefan and Alaric- for what she did to Devon.
In a matter of seconds, Damon was back to Elena's house, standing in front of her bedroom window. Gazing in, he saw Elena walk from her bathroom drying her hair. Raising her head as she pulled the towel off, she squealed and jumped in surprise before glaring at him as she unlocked the window.
Silently, Damon opened the window and walked over and sat on her bed with his head in his hands. Elena slowly walked over and sat down next to him as she put a hand of his back and asked if he was 'Okay'.
"My brother is alive, Elena," he replied barely audible," and in the hands of a monster."
Elena stayed silent as she waited for him to continue. He just had to talk it out, as she saw it.
Looking up his face her, Damon murmured," Klaus did something to him. He does whatever Klaus tell him without hesitation."
"We'll get him back, Damon," Elena insisted rubbing circles along his back," And we'll fix him. He'll get better."
Sighing, Damon gazed back down to his knees before he contended quietly," I don't know if he can be fixed, Elena."