Happy 2012 guys! New Chapter for you all! This story is getting long. I'm at 50,000 words and I'm still not quiet finished! But thanks for all the looong reviews from last time. I loved reading them all :)
Klaus continued ignoring Caroline up until it was time to head out for the charity gala. Charles had pompously informed Klaus that he should arrive a bit early. He was dressed in a sleek tuxedo that he'd had tailored specially earlier that day. At least procuring a tuxedo gave him something to do while staying clear of his blonde companion. Caroline bounded down the stairs wearing the same clothes she had been in all day. Klaus groaned inwardly.
"I told you to be ready by 6:30," he admonished.
"I am," she replied.
"Caroline, darling, I know you're from small, backwoods America, but I had hoped that you were at least conscious enough to know that jeans and a t-shirt will not be suitable for a charity gala."
Caroline frowned at his comment about her hometown. "Not like you took me out and dressed me up again for this evening's festivities."
"Well you're a grown girl. I didn't think it would be that hard to call the concierge and have something ordered up for yourself."
Klaus's voice was like a sharp razor; every word dripping with annoyance and disdain. Caroline was growing tired of it. She thought she hated him before, but now she definitely did. He barely spoke to her and now he only ever treated her with sarcasm.
"No need," she replied, "Charles and Claudia are taking care of it for me."
Klaus studied her carefully. "Charles and Claudia? What do you mean?"
"Yesterday, Charles said that Claudia offered me a gown to wear and some help getting ready. Which you would know if you bothered to, I don't know, say anything to me at all."
"I told you to be careful about trusting them," he responded, avoiding her comments.
"It's just a dress. And I'm sure whatever they might do to me isn't half as bad as what you will. What's it going to be tonight hmm? I'd rather have a heads up this time, so I can react the way you want me to." Caroline strode toward him, her temper flaring, "No plans? Well, maybe you can offer me as some sort of weird sacrifice. A sign of good faith that you are on the side of all these vampires you're secretly plotting to kill."
Caroline was pushing it she knew that. But she also knew she could. The one thing she had definitely figured out was that Klaus was all bark and no bite. As much as he threatened her, he wasn't going to do anything. So she felt she could let her anger and frustration at him out as much as she wanted.
Klaus glared at her unhappily, she could see the veins in his temples tighten in frustration. Oh he wanted to react all right, but he wouldn't. For some weird reason he wouldn't.
"Let's go," he snapped, spinning on his heels and striding towards the door. Caroline followed behind.
That evening Klaus decided driving would do him some good. It was also something that would occupy him on the way to the gala, rather than sitting next to Caroline in a town car, staring out the window. God, how he wanted to wrap his hands around her feisty little throat and give her a good throtle! The way she had spoken to him before, he had never let anyone speak to him like that. But clearly she was just trying to get a rise out of him. Trying to see how far she could actually push it. He wouldn't give in. He would continue his stoic act and pay her no attention.
They arrived about thirty minutes later at a large town house on the Upper East Side. It wasn't really a town house, but a gigantic mansion. It had been remodeled in the late 80s so that the town houses on either side were adjoined to the one in the middle, creating the large home that stood there today.
A valet ran down the steps and met Klaus as he pulled the car to the front. Klaus handed over the keys and let the human man take his car. He didn't bother to help Caroline from the car as he normally would. Show no attention, he thought.
"My lord Niklaus, Caroline, so glad that you are here," Charles greeted them, coming down the giant grand staircase. Caroline swore that she hadn't seen a staircase that audacious since Gone with the Wind. It was amazing that something like that would be found in Manhattan.
"Shall I give you all the tour?" He smiled cheerfully. They followed him into the house.
The house itself was unbelievable. Clearly the Manhattan vampires had gone to great pains to create their perfect home.
"Claudia and I are the owners. We have been since the 1980s, but we open our home to all vampires who choose to reside in the city. Emile also lives here of course, so that we can oversee all of our operations together," as Charles spoke Caroline nodded politely. She wasn't sure what "operations" meant entailed.
It was really too beautiful for words. She was pretty sure it was even bigger than the Lockwood Mansion. Charles took them through the library, the billiards room, a large office that was decorated in green and gold and then…
"This is our ballroom."
Ok definitely bigger than the Lockwood Mansion. Caroline's jaw dropped. The room was huge. And it was all decked out for the charity event that evening. Chandeliers hung from the ceilings and tiny white lights were strung all around. A live band was setting up in the corner, cater waiters flew around with silver trays; fancy chairs a small tables lined the walls. There was even a huge champagne fountain on one end of the room.
"Wow, this is amazing," Caroline said aloud.
"Thank you," Charles replied, "Claudia is very, how shall I put it, extreme in her tastes? No detail is too small."
"Yeah I can relate," Caroline replied, thinking of all the Mystic Falls events she had helped organize. Of course they were nothing like this.
"Speaking of my sister," Charles continued, turning towards Caroline, "She'll have me staked if I keep you a moment longer."
Charles told Caroline that Claudia was upstairs, awaiting her arrival, with gown and dressers on hand. Caroline nodded and made her exit out of the ballroom and towards the stairs, hoping that she wouldn't get lost in the giant house. As she left she cast a glance towards Klaus. He had barely said anything during the tour.
"Thank you for inviting us into your home Charles," Klaus replied with practiced elegance, "now perhaps we can discuss some other important matters before the other guests arrive?"
"Certainly," Charles replied, "Emile is waiting for us in the library." Charles led Klaus in the opposite direction that Caroline left.
She wondered what it was that they were going to be discussing. She stood for a moment on the other side of the door, debating on whether or not she should follow. Her curiosity eventually got the best of her. Hopefully Claudia would be able to wait a little while longer. She just had to know what these "important matters" were all about.
Caroline traced her way back to the library from another direction. The house was so large it would be easy to get lost in if you weren't used to it. Perhaps that would be a good excuse to tuck away for later in case she got caught snooping. She crept as quietly as she could, which meant having to be extra quiet than normal thanks to super vampire hearing, towards the library door. It was left slightly ajar. Caroline had waited a few moments before creeping up on the conversation so that she would arrive just when they would start getting to the good stuff. Her calculations proved to be correct.
"Niklaus I heard about your appearance at a wolf bar the other night," said an unfamiliar voice. It must have been Emile, the "leader" vampire. The one she had only conversed with once, at the cocktail party.
"Yes, I was looking to make an impression," Klaus replied simply.
"Well you definitely did. You got the attention of the alphas upstate. What exactly do you plan to do next then?"
"Draw the alphas into the city. They'll be on your grounds then, so you'll have the advantage in the coming battle."
There was a pause. Caroline imagined Emile considering this, nodding slightly and rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"Yes that's all well and good, but what's this part I hear about turning the wolves into Hybrids? Offering them a chance to be the most powerful wolf-pack in existence?"
"The wolves are susceptible to manipulation. The alphas would not come out of their cozy hideaways for just a simple fight. They needed a selling point and I gave it to them."
Klaus crossed in front of the door and then back again. Caroline shrank back quickly to avoid being seen.
"How do I know you aren't playing us the same way? How do I know where your loyalties truly lie?" Emile countered coolly.
Caroline could hear Klaus confident stomp as he approached Emile. The self-assured steps that challenged anyone to question his power and authority.
"My loyalties are to myself only," Klaus replied coldly, "I answer to no one. It is my wish that the wolves of Manhattan be eradicated. If your little vampire coven wants to avoid a similar fate, then you will help me."
Charles stepped forward, "My lord Niklaus, we mean no offense, but we have all been together a long time. Our coven is large. We must take care of our own."
"Of course," Klaus replied the mask of niceness washing over him again.
"If we're to risk this, we'll require some sort of guarantee that it will be worth it to start this war again," Emile demanded.
"Other than your lives? And the end of the wolf threat?" Klaus replied. There was silence. Emile must have nodded. "Tell me, what kind of guarantee do you require?"
"We want to become hybrids. Turn us instead of the wolves."
Caroline's eyes widened. What would Klaus say? Had he ever even tried to turn a vampire? After all, he had only recently figured out how to successfully turn a wolf. Could vampires even become hybrids?
"Very well. If your vampires prove your loyalty to me and help me kill the wolf pack, then you can have your shot at becoming a hybrid."
"How does it work?" Charles asked.
"Same way any transformation works. Drink a sample of my blood, death, which in a vampire case would mean stake to the heart, then reawakening and feeding. Very simple."
Klaus left out the part about Elena's blood, Caroline realized. He was lying to them. He had no plans to turn any of them. And they were completely falling for it.
"We shall require a demonstration first, before any of us submits to the transformation process," Emile stated. Ok maybe not completely falling for it.
"Who shall be the first then?" Klaus inquired.
Emile chuckled without humor, "Not one of our own. We are not so quick to expend our friends as other vampires are." A chair creaked. Emile stood and took a couple steps toward Klaus. Caroline could see his face through the crack in the door.
"The girl. The blonde traveling with you. She will be the one you shall demonstrate on. Call it an act of good faith."
Emile smiled sinisterly. As if he knew he had Klaus in checkmate.
"Done." Klaus replied quickly.
What? Caroline backed away from the door. She felt as if she was about to scream. He really was going to sacrifice her for his greater cause.
"Very well then gentleman, all is settle. No more talk of business tonight. I hope you enjoy your evening Niklaus. These gala events are always an amusing time," Emile spoke with a friendliness that seemed odd considering the proceeding conversation.
Caroline slipped from her spot and quickly rushed down the hall towards Claudia's room. Tonight, she had to figure out a way to get out of there tonight. If she stayed here any longer she was going to die either way. Escape was at least worth a shot.
Another tiny cliff! Hope you liked this one! As always I love hearing the reviews :) Don't forget to go follow my blog, I switched it over from my other writing blog. It's hybridlovelies on Tumblr!
Have a great week everyone! Until next time!
Cheers :)