Disclaimer: Owning The Vampire Diaries has been my dream for a quite a while, but that is all it is, and probably all what it will ever be, a dream.
Chapter Fourteen- Klaus
The strong smell of blood that filled Stefan's and Katherine's noses when they arrived at the hilltop was a clear indicator that a vampire was staying there. They had gotten to the place they were looking for, but they still didn't have any idea of how they would get the book and its missing pages. However, no planning was needed, as they hadn't even gotten a good look around before Klaus stepped out of a shadow and into their view.
- I have been waiting for you. - He said, a smile playing its way to his lips.
Katherine was speechless, and Stefan wasn't much better. They hadn't been expecting Klaus to find them so soon. They had counted on having a few minutes for planning and exploring the territory.
- Well, it seems like I crashed your little party. You aren't getting the book.
He stared at the pair for some time, a hint of regret appearing on his face. His gaze laid the longest on Katherine. Stefan strained to find some emotion on his cold and cruel facade, anything that he could use against him. He could have sworn that, for a second, he saw sadness flash in his eyes.
- You - He nodded towards Katherine - I have to keep alive. As for Stefan...
Klaus walked closer to him, a daunting grin forming on his lips, erasing any and all traces of sadness from his features. He seemed to be evaluating Stefan, as if he was choosing a horse for a racing competition.
- Maybe I can still put you to some good use, for old time's sake. - Klaus concluded.
Stefan felt his body relax. He had no wish to be tied to the Original once more, but he would take that over dying. From captivity, there was an escape, but from death, there wasn't. He had cheated it once, he didn't think he would be able to do that again. He glanced at Katherine, wondering what would be done to them. When Klaus had gotten his hands on the doppleganger, he had kept her under his compulsion, but Stefan had a feeling that he wasn't going to do that again. There was too little time for him to make sure that his new prisoners weren't on vervain.
Stefan wasn't too surprised when he found himself laying on the muddy ground. The Original was so quick neither him nor Katherine managed to dodge his expert punches. Stefan felt a splitting pain on his spinal column as he hit the soft ground and his body went limp. He couldn't move, but he could feel the vertebras in his back healing. He knew what was next. He closed his eyes, preparing for the impact. His vision went black as a stiff object hit his head.
The lights that surrounded him seemed much too bright, and the muffled sounds of steps above him were still too loud. He sat up, almost falling as he used his slightly numb hands for support. Stefan wondered where Katherine was. He couldn't make the sounds he heard, but he didn't think he could hear her voice. As his sight got used to the lights, he tried to see if he could find the other vampire, but all he could see were steel bars. A cell, he gathered. Stefan wondered how Klaus had gotten it built so quickly, but decided that he didn't want to know.
The vampire smiled as he listened to a familiar voice.
- Stefan, are you there? - Katherine called.