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Chapter 21

Caroline watched as the witch opened the circle for the werewolf and Klaus began the sacrifice. It had been a while since Caroline had seen him be so brutal and violent. She knew he was capable of it she just didn't think of him that way most of the time. The werewolf didn't both her but as he moved to the vampire Caroline grew tense. It was as he was finishing that part that Damon Salvatore made a kamikaze run towards the ritual. He didn't get close enough though as Bonnie suddenly rooted him to the spot.

"Care," she looked to her friend. Caroline quickly incapacitated Damon and Klaus ignored them focusing instead on Elijah as he stepped into the last circle.

As he bit into Elena's neck Kol was surprised when he wound up with Caroline buried into one shoulder and Bonnie the other.

"I can't," Bonnie shivered violently.

"Oh my gods," Caroline cried.

Elijah couldn't watch this but Rebekah gave his hand a squeeze.

"She'll come back." Rebekah promised.

"I hope she does." Elijah whispered.

Stefan had come down close to the circles now and his gaze never left Elena as he watched Klaus drain the life from her eyes. He had been here before. This time however, she was not his to lose. He did notice that Klaus carefully laid her body down this time instead of simply discarding her. The ring of fire died away and Klaus moved for the woods.

"Caroline go with him," Bonnie encouraged. "Elena will be out for hours."

Elijah and Rebekah were by Elena's side as soon as the fire had died down. She was lying there completely lifeless and the sight broke Elijah. Bonnie was in complete shock as she watched tears slip down Elijah's cheeks. She had never imagined any original was capable of showing that amount of emotion.

Elijah and Rebekah were by Elena's side as soon as the fire had died down. She was lying there completely lifeless and the sight broke Elijah. Bonnie was incomplete shock as she watched tears slip down Elijah's cheeks. She had never imagined any original was capable of showing that amount of emotion.

Elijah carried her in his arms, bridal style, and flashed away with her to the car, knowing that she would need blood when she woke.

Rebekah stared at the spot where Elijah was before setting her sights on Kol.

"Make sure nothing bothers Elijah while Elena's still out." She ordered and he nodded, knowing better than to piss off his sister.

They helped Stefan get Damon to a car and then everyone except Caroline and Klaus loaded up and drove back to the Mikaelson mansion. Once there Bonnie grabbed hold of Kol's arm and he felt her power coursing through him as she used the two of them to erect a barrier around the house.

"No one in or out but us," she declared when she had finished though the moment she released her hold on Kol she sank to the floor. He caught her before she even hit the floor and took her upstairs to their room.

Rebekah was watching Stefan place Damon on the couch and she let out a breath.

"I'm worried-for Nik, for Caroline, for Elijah and for Elena!" Stefan held her hand and squeezed it the same way he did for Elena the day before.

"She's strong and brave. She'll be okay." She nodded but she didn't believe him so he changed the subject. "Do you think that Bonnie's okay?"

She snorted. "I care for what reason?"

He blinked. "The two of you are friends...right?"

Another snort. "I would prefer us to be 'acquaintances' as we're only truly connected through our love for Kol." She raised a delicate eyebrow. "Don't think that Elena didn't tell me about what she did even before the first sacrifice! Locking her in her own house and don't feed me the whole 'trying to protect her' line!"

"Bonnie did that at my suggestion," Stefan confided, "you should give her a chance Bekah. I have a feeling she's not going anywhere."

"Maybe." She shrugged, not at all caring. "But that doesn't mean that you all should have locked her up! You all should have let the first sacrifice go on smoothly and besides," she walked out of the living room to go into the kitchen with Stefan trailing behind her. "Elijah wouldn't have killed Nik. He loves him and yes, what Nik said was cruel but in the end, it's all about family. Elena and Caroline are family. You're family. Bonnie will probably not end up as family but I'll be polite to her for Kol's sake."

"Then that should be fine." He told her with a kiss to her lips.

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