Caroline had followed Kol through the hidden trails for over an hour before they finally reached the castle. It was enormous and regal. Everything she had come to expect from the Mikealson family.
As he led her through the dark corridors she felt a sudden shiver creep down her spine at the thought of Niklaus residing in one of the many rooms.
"Rebekah and Elijah are out for the evening but will return soon. Your room will be here, next to mine." Kol grinned. He opened the door to the large guest quarters. She instantly noticed the wardrobe in the corner of the room opened to display on array of grand gowns.
Kol smirked as he caught the direction of her gaze. "Please, enjoy them as your own."
Caroline shot him an excited glance before wiping it from her face. "If you don't mind I would like to rest for awhile."
"Of course, darling. I will be around if or shall I say when you need me." Kol gave her once last rake of his eyes over her fine body before turning to leave.
With a loud sigh Caroline closed the door and threw herself carelessly onto the feather bed. Her eyes flickered closed to let her mind take in the new atmosphere. Here she was back with the originals of the past.
She was exhausted even thinking of the notion of seeing Rebekah and Elijah from this time but her mind had other questions that kept her reeling.
The words Kol had spoken earlier in the village 'Niklaus has a new pet'. What could that mean? Niklaus had told her he was going to forget her so of course he would find someone else to manipulate and abuse. She should be thankful he has moved.
After what felt like hours she finally stood to look through the dresses which had been calling out to her. They were unlike anything she had ever seen before. She smiled as her fingers ran over the exquisite silks and meticulous beading. As she held one of the finest gowns in front of her petite body she heard a loud giggle coming from the hall. It was surprising familiar to her ears. In a flash she was at her door and quietly pushing it open the smallest inch to get a view.
There down the hall was the raven haired young woman that had taken her life, Katarina. To her horror Niklaus had his hands wrapped around her waist, his lips trailing down her neck as the brunette giggled louder. "Please Lord Niklaus, I must be returning home. I will come back to you first thing tomorrow."
"Swear to me. I can not bear to part for longer than a night." He said seductively as his mouth nipped at her lobe.
Caroline's chest tightened as she continued to stare, unable to break her gaze away.
"How could I stay away for you my Lord. My body aches when your hands are not touching me." Katarina purred, her hands cupping his face to give him one last lingering kiss.
As he looked up into her face his gaze caught the blue eyes staring back at him from behind the door down the hall.
Caroline's breath caught as she shut the door quickly and stepped back into her room. Damn, she thought. He would certainly come and see who she was. Would he try to harm her?
As she tried to control her breathing she felt a tugging at her heart. She tried to push away the feelings of disappointment that he may not remember her.
As she was about to sit back upon the bed, her door flew open. There, standing in the door frame was Niklaus.
He eyed her up and down before finally speaking. "Who are you?"
There it was the answer to her question. He had followed through with his plan. She was no longer a part of his past. It was for the best she told herself. If only he did not try to kill her.
"I am a friend of Kol's." she said firmly. She kept her head held high as she pulled herself up straight.
"That was obvious considering you are in his mistress's bedchamber."
Her eyes flew open wide as she realized why the room was full of gowns and so close to Kol's.
"Well then, as you can see I would like to be left alone."
"I do not appreciate being spied on, sweetheart. Do it again and you will find yourself in a less comfortable chamber."
Caroline only glared as he turned and left her alone once again.
XXXXXXX
Caroline decided to stay in the room for the rest of the evening as well as the following day. It was better than stumbling upon Niklaus and Katarina together. She was relieved neither Kol nor any chamber maids bothered her through out the day. Yet as night fell upon her once again her stomach ached furiously.
It was late still dark outside but the morning dew was a welcome treat as Caroline cracked open the heavy door and slipped down the hall. She was starving and needed to find something to feed from in the forest before hiding out in her room for the rest of the day.
"You must be Caroline?"
The familiar female voice broke the silence. Turning Caroline saw Rebekah standing in the foyer behind her.
"Yes, I'm a friend of Kol's."
"Right." Rebekah laughed dryly. "A friend. I have never seen Kol put a friend in that chamber you have been hiding out in."
"Think what you like but I am in no way interested in your brother." Caroline turned back around to leave.
"What about Niklaus?"
Caroline's breath hitched as she wondered what Rebekah meant.
"I've heard whispers of you between Kol and Niklaus. Kol enjoys taunting him."
"Well, just to be clear, there is nothing going on with any of your brothers. Now if you don't mind, I'm going out to feed."
Caroline ran from the castle, refusing to look back. Rebekah was without a doubt watching her as she did so. She could feel eyes upon her back as she raced into the forest in search of food.
It did not take long to satisfy her cravings with the blood of a small animal. She had laid the tiny body on the ground and sighed loudly as she began warily heading back to the castle.
She wondered if Klaus had found his sister yet. As much as she despised the girl she was growing more and more worried for her. Even if she could not be killed she could still be tormented.
As Caroline walked quietly down the corridor leading to her room she felt a hand reach out to her shoulder. Snapping around she came face to face with Katarina.
"You must be Caroline. Hello, I wanted to introduce myself. Katarina." She smiled sweetly.
Caroline stood silent, mouth agape at the innocence standing before her.
"A pleasure to meet you." Caroline forced a small smile. "Have you come for breakfast? It seems quite early for a visit?"
Caroline dreaded the answer. There was no way Katarina had come over this early. Why had she asked such a question? She scolded herself.
She watched as Katarina's cheeks flushed a deep red. "Forgive me but I slept-"
"Never mind. It's not my business." Caroline quickly spoke. "You and Niklaus I am sure are quite happy."
She knew Niklaus needed Katarina for the ritual but perhaps he enjoyed her company as well. She had never really asked Klaus about his relationship with Katarina in the past. It was for the best she told herself.
"Yes, I am quite fortunate. He is a wonderful companion. Always doting on me. Rarely lets me out of his sight."
Caroline swallowed hard, holding back a dark chuckle. If only you knew why, she thought.
Before she could speak again she saw a shadow heading their way behind Katarina. It was Niklaus.
"There you are love. I was hoping you had not left." Caroline watched as he wrapped his arms around Katarina's waist from behind. His lips gave a small kiss to her shoulder before he paid any attention to Caroline.
Before he could speak Caroline turned away, giving a quick. "I must go." She walked in a quickened pace to her chambers and shut the door behind her as she felt her breathing restore to normal. As she lay on the bed she wondered what Niklaus truly was feeling for Katarina. Why did she care?
She was a means to an end. That was all she reminded herself.
There was a small knock on her door that pulled her from her thoughts.
As she crossed the room to open it she realized she knew already who it was. She could sense him like no other.
Slowly she opened the door.
Niklaus stood there glaring at her. She had seen that look in his eyes many time now but wondered what she had done to deserve it this time.
"I would appreciate it if you stayed clear of Katarina." He said through gritted teeth.
Caroline was stunned. "Why? I will be leaving soon anyway."
Was he worried she would try to warn the girl? Honestly she had thought of it. She had to admit changing the future was a scary thought yet if Katarina was killed in the ritual Elena would never need to suffer. But the chain of events was daunting to her. Without Katarina there would be no Damon or Stefan, which meant there would be know Stefan to save Elena on the bridge when her parents died.
She could not allow the changes. Katarina had to escape but she would stay out of it. As she thought it she wondered if this meant he remembered her.
"I do not trust you." He hissed. "Stay away from her or else."
With those final words he turned on his heel and left. Slamming the door loudly behind him.
She sat on her bed, her chest heaving as she replayed his words. He did not trust her. Why would he warn her to leave Katarina alone unless perhaps it was true. Had he not…
No! He said he would forget her. If he did not do the spell than he would tell her, right? He would not pretend would he?
As her mind traveled through the different scenarios she heard a crash in the hall.
There she found Niklaus and Klaus standing toe to toe.
As they turned to face her she was left feeling weighted down by their intenseness. Niklaus glared at his future self before walking off as Klaus approached her.
"Have you found Rebekah?" She asked as he stepped inside her room.
"Yes, she is here. I have spoken with my siblings and they have agreed to help us." He smiled.
Caroline sighed. "I'm glad you are back. I am ready to get out of this place. Never thought I would actually be looking forward to wearing that bracelet" She held out her hand waiting for her bracelet when he looked away.
"Caroline, we can not leave just yet."
"What? Why not?" She shouted. She needed to get home not stay in a house with both future and past originals.
"You won't understand but I promise in two night's time we will be able to leave this place for good."
"Two nights? What happens then?" She asked slowly. Her head pounding as she tried to understand.
As she watched his face twist into the Klaus she had grown to hate the pieces fell into place. "The ritual." She muttered under her breath. "Klaus, you can't!"
"I can and I will, Caroline." He replied coldly. "I would like your support on this but no matter what I will not change my mind. Centuries wasted all because Katarina escaped. I will not allow it to happen again."
"Please, you can't do this. It will change everything." Caroline pleaded. Her eyes large and soft.
"I promise I will send hybrids to protect you and anyone else in Mystic Falls when the time comes if that is what you want."
"Elena will die without Stefan there to save her when her parents crashed and-"
"My hybrids will protect her. She is still a doppelganger and her blood will always be-" He stopped himself as he watched her face twist in anger and disgust.
"Useful to you!" she spat. "And what about Katarina? You'll need her blood. If you kill her how will you bring her back?"
"Elijah has found a way." He replied. "Listen to me Caroline, The curse will be broken in two night's time. Katarina has been sent to the dungeon as we speak and is being watched by my most trusted. She will not escape." He watched painfully as she slid her body down to her bed defeated.
She was overwhelmed with what was about to change. What future would she be going home to, she wondered.
"I will ensure Damon and Stefan are turned as well if that is what you want. Please sweetheart, think of the possibilities. The Salvatore's would not be tormented by Katarina. You would be helping them." He sighed as he stepped closer. "Love, I need you to trust me. I promise to protect you and those you care for."
"I will never trust! I will never support this!" she yelled. "I will do everything in my power to get Katarina away from here. I will turn her myself if I must!"
"Caroline, do not test me. You may be beautiful but I will snap your neck and lock you in this room until the ritual has been completed if I must!" He roared. His eyes filled with rage.
"You do what you must and I will do the same!"
She flashed away and out the bedchambers door falling roughly to the ground as she hit a hard chest. There in front of her stood Klaus.
"You will see my way soon enough sweetheart." He said slowly as he reached out and snapped her neck with ease.
He would not let his feelings for her get in his way of setting right what had been taken from him long ago.
Using Katarina in the ritual would give him the power to kill Mikael sooner than before. That would mean less time running. His family could be together and in time Caroline would understand.
He would protect her and when she was ready he would make her his. But for now she needed to be kept out of the way. He gently placed her body on the bed in his chambers and locked the door as he left.
"What have you done to her?"
Klaus turned to find Niklaus furious behind him. "Calm yourself mate. She will be fine but she can not be trusted to help us at the moment. Keep this room guarded until after the ritual. Once it is complete I will take her and Rebekah and leave this time. You will create as many hybrids as you possibly can with Katarina's blood."
Niklaus's face grew from anger to a sinister grin as he imagined his curse lifted. He would finally be the most powerful man on earth. Mikael's death would be soon following he thought as he glanced once more at the door in which Caroline was resting behind.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
So, do you think Niklaus remembers her?
I know, I am horrible. It has been forever since I updated and then I give this short rushed chapter. I feel horrible but seriously have had no time at all to write
I have three small children that take all my time so I try to write when my youngest naps but lately that time is just to busy with other things.
However, I have this entire story mapped out and think about it daily. It is not forgotten I promise.
Please, I know I do not deserve it but would love to hear your thoughts in reviews. Plus they will let me know if you guys are even still reading this.
You all are absolutely amazing and I love you all!
Thanks for reading and taking a moment to review!
Means the world to me
