a/n: It's been a LONG time so - to save you time from reading all the previous chapters to remember what happened in this story - I have recapped the plot for you! The actual chapter starts a little down the ways. I apologize for taking so long but I am back and hopefully this time there will be no long hiatuses. Enjoy!
Previously, on Shadows…
"So," Stefan says, pacing the room, "let's see if I got this straight. You were born sometime in the 1800's in a wealthy Bulgarian family and had two sisters – Katerina and Nikolina – who also happened to look exactly like you. You somehow met Damon when he was still a human in his soldier days and your real mother has actually already been dead for about 150 years. Does that sound right?"
"Don't be ridiculous sister," Katherina sneered at Elena. "Do you really believe Father would permit you to marry a poor, Southern soldier? Never!"
"The day she completely falls in love with Damon, will be the day I lose her forever. And I don't know if I'll be able to handle that Caroline…"
"I'll be here for you Stefan, no matter what."
Caroline gently squeezes his hand and Stefan smiles at her through his tears.
The fear arises in Katherine again and she threatens in a quivering voice, "Klaus will fail again! Damon and Elena grow closer every day! That's how the Shadows spell works. The stronger their love becomes, the less meaning death has to them. Once their love is strong enough and you kill one of them, either their love will save the other or they'll come back in the future and fall in love again."
Elijah grunts. "Klaus knew this was the spell but we had to confirm. He knows how to break it. When Klaus turns her in two weeks, every memory of Damon shall be permanently erased from her mind and she will belong to Klaus and she will rule with him as his Queen of the Night."
"Listen to me Bonnie! Jeremy is cursed! All the men in the Gilbert family are! Anyone who falls in love with a Gilbert man…. dies."
"If you agree to work for Klaus, you might never again transform into a wolf."
Tyler gapes at him.
Elijah sticks his hand out.
"Do we have a deal Mr. Lockwood?"
"Klaus is the 'king' of all the vampires. He is the ORIGINAL vampire and he used to rule them all, like a kingdom. But, chaos erupted and more vampires were created. So many in fact, that it was impossible to keep track of. Klaus wishes to establish order again but for that to happen, he needs someone reigning beside him. That's why he wants Elena; to make her his Queen of the Night."
Stefan shakes his head, trying to process al this information, "But why Elena? Why HER?"
Bitterly, Katherine replies, "I never understood exactly why he chose her and not…I never will understand. The point is…she's doomed. Elena has always been doomed. She wasn't able to escape death last time…and won't this time either. Only this time, she won't awake in a new lifetime…. she'll awaken to discover that she has been bonded to Klaus and will have to spend all of eternity with him."
In almost a whisper, Katherine says, "It can only be on one day and one day only. On her 18th birthday."
Klaus grabs the three items that were the most significant to Rayna: her wedding ring, her lapis lazuli necklace and her cherished golden locket that Klaus himself had given her.
He makes his way to one of the sleeping babes and holds the ring in front of her.
He places the empty hand gently on the girl's head and whispers," Pergere coniunctim…"
Elena's eyes water as she looks out into the night sky that was glowing orange from the fire in the faraway distance. She hastily shuts the window but it only barely drowns the sounds of cannon and gunshot fire.
Her tears soon cloud her vision and she presses her face to the window, leaving wet smears.
"Your father can't be with us now and he might not be with us for a very long time. He's fighting a war, a horrible and brutal war…but something tells me…that there's an even greater and more dangerous war ahead."
Elena's voice drops down to a whisper and she throatily mumbles, "Don't fret though, my baby. One day, all three of us will be together and we will live…happily ever after…"
Tyler narrows his eyes.
"I won't betray you Master. In fact, I've decided I want the Salvatores dead. And her. I want Caroline Forbes dead."
Katherine desperately grabs his hands and places them to her lips.
"Tell me something Stefan. In all honesty," she whispers. "If I had been that sweet, human girl that you believed me to be, and I had never lied to you or compelled you, would you have eventually married me?"
Stefan sighs and pushes back a loose strand of her wet hair behind her ear.
"I would've given you the most beautiful wedding Katherine. We would have had lots of little children and we would've have lived happily ever after until both of us died a natural, human death. I would have loved you forever."
Katherine lets out a heart-wrenching cry, her tears mixing in the raindrops falling on her face.
"Do I have no hope?"
Elena gently wipes a tear from Stefan's cheek.
"Our love WAS epic and it was amazing but…it was never meant to be Stefan."
"I was always destined to be with Damon. It was always Damon. Our happiness was short-lived the first time around and life decided to give us another chance. And it was because of you, Stefan, that Damon and I reunited."
Her face breaks out into a wide grin as the tears escape from her excited brown eyes.
"I never had a choice Damon—don't you understand? You were always meant to love me and I was always meant to love you. Yes Damon, I LOVE YOU. I've always loved you it just took a little longer for me to realize it in this life than in the last."
Damon shakes his head, bewildered and confused. Elena smiles and snuggles into his chest, wrapping her arms around his bare waist.
"There she is!" Aleksander bursts into a wide grin and extends his arms. "The most beautiful bride New York ever will see!"
Katherine fakes a smile as she carefully walks down the staircase, her right hand sliding down the railing and her other hand holding up her white gown.
Ivan lets out a horrible, bellowing laugh.
He points the gun around the room, aiming at random people.
"Don't worry my fine guests, there will still be reason to celebrate today…" He swivels the gun and aims it at the governor.
"The death of this bastard!"
He fires straight into the governor's heart and he falls with a loud thud. Katherine hides her glee and drops down with him and begins a convincing wail.
Kat wraps her arms around Elena and clenches her tightly.
"I'm in no danger little sister. I'll be safe. You must trust me—go with Elijah."
As they separate, Elena's lip trembles and tears run down her face. "I do trust you sister. Always have, always will."
And before Elena can take a last look back, her and Elijah disappear into the dark.
Panic and fear immediately fill Kat and her eyes finally spill over, tears streaming down her face.
"No! I change my mind! I don't want this anymore! Bring her back! Bring her back!"
After running a short distance through the trees, Katerina drops to her knees and sobs wildly into her hands.
"I'm so sorry Elena! I'm so sorry!"
Elena's lip trembles as she leans in closer to Damon.
"I wasn't very far along…but I could feel him. I knew he was a boy…he would've looked just like his father…"
"Why, if it isn't the poor, good-for-nothing, soldier I've heard so much about! Give her to me, this is a war you'll never win."
Damon holds Elena tight. "Never. I'll never let her go."
Klaus sighs.
"No matter how hard you try, you'll never be a hero…you'll never be her hero!"
Klaus strokes Elena's wet cheek.
"This isn't the end of us my queen. We shall meet again…and nothing will stand in our way…"
And before Elena can mutter a word and before Damon can let out a desperate shout…
Klaus removes the golden blade from the wall and pierces it straight into Elena's womb, the blood seeping onto the stone ground.
Klaus' blue eyes widen and stare straight into Damon's. "You will forget you ever knew Elena or her family. You will not remember this day or anything related to vampires. You are just a simple soldier who will return home immediately and never again return to this place. You will spend whatever days you have left mourning something you don't remember losing and searching for what no longer exists."
Damon's eyes glaze over as he monotonically repeats, "I will search for what I don't remember losing and never find it…"
"Exactly," Klaus smiles satisfied.
"Alaric," Jenna cries cautiously. "Umm, what the hell is this place?"
Ric approaches her, still holding the arrow.
"Jenna, there's something you should know about me. I'm…a vampire hunter."
"You should've seen his face Stefan! He was completely terrified! Maybe Tyler was right, maybe Matt will hate me forever!"
Stefan pulls her into his arms and she wraps her arms around him. "He won't Caroline! Matt's a reasonable guy and, he loves you. He'll come around."
Stefan smiles and extends an arm out. In his grasps is the most beautiful, yet oddest, flower that Caroline has ever seen.
"Happy Birthday Caroline," Stefan says, his green eyes twinkling.
"You remembered…"Caroline says in a soft whisper, taking the flower from his hand.
"Damon," Rose says, her voice lowering gravely. "How far are you willing to go to save Elena? What are you willing to sacrifice?"
"Everything. Absolutely everything."
Rose nods somberly. "There's a way to kill Klaus that will save Elena—that will save everyone. There's…a weapon."
Tyler's eyes flash angrily. "Why not Caroline? If I hurt them, it'll hurt you. You deserve to get hurt after the way you hurt me."
Caroline shakes her head. "I never wanted to hurt you Tyler," she says softly. "You're my friend and I care about you. But you knew from the beginning that I loved Matt and that feeling wasn't going to change in one night."
Caroline and Stefan both make a grab for Tyler and Matt but the anger rages in Tyler and he pierces the stake through Matt's chest.
With the tears flowing freely down her face, Caroline takes out the stake and throws it behind her.
Blood pours out of Matt's chest forming a deep puddle around them.
Caroline rocks Matt gently in her arms, trying to keep her sobs under control. But she fails.
"I love you Matt," she whispers.
"You need to fight because you have something to fight for—your future. I won't let you give up…and neither will he," Jeremy says. "He'll never give up. He'll find a way stop Klaus no matter what, even if it means his own death. You know as well as I do that the moment your heart stops beating, he'll take off his ring and join you in death."
He pulls her into an embrace. "There is a solution Elena, I know there is. You both deserve happiness."
Fearing the worst, Bonnie's heart begins to face. Keeping a hard face and her voice steady, she speaks coldly, "So, which one of my friends did you hurt Klaus?"
Klaus kicks Tyler with his foot; Tyler remains paralyzed.
"Well, don't let me take your glory Tyler! Tell the witch what you did last night. Tell her how you stabbed that boy—the one who was your friend. Tell her how you killed him."
Bonnie feels her eyes burn. She grips the bars of her cage and looks at Tyler.
Tyler shakes his head slowly. "I'm sorry Bonnie. I didn't mean—Matt just got in the way—."
"How could you?" She musters all the strength she leans as forward as she can and spits at his feet.
"You can't let your anger control you Caroline," Stefan says gently, but firmly. "You'll lose yourself in your rage if you're not careful."
"I don't care anymore," Caroline says coldly. "I have nothing to live for anymore…I will fight to keep Elena and everyone else safe. I will make sure we defeat Klaus. But I just can't let Matt's murderer run free. If Tyler ever dares cross my path again, I'll tear out his heart - just as he tore out mine."
Damon lightly shakes Elena by her shoulders. "You can't give up, you hear me! Just like you never gave up on me, I won't let you give up on yourself!" Elena's sobs grow louder. Damon rubs his hands down her face and his voice lowers. "We'll find a way to destroy Klaus…I promise."
Damon's lip trembles and he squeezes her to him. "Don't you get it Elena? I can't exist without you. My immortal life means nothing if you're not in it."
"The weapon, once used on Klaus, will leave Klaus mortal and well…obviously much easier to kill once and for all."
"But what is the weapon?" Elena asks, her eyes narrowed in confusion. "Some kind of dagger?"
Katherine swallows. "Elena, the weapon…. is Damon himself."
'I, Ivp, have finally discovered the secret to ending the life of the Original. After decades of searching, I have found the solution. But alas, it is not simple…'
A faint smile fills Nikki's face. "When Elena died, part of you died too Katherine. She was, and is, the person you love more than anyone. Why can't you see that? Even now, your love for her is only comparable to the love you have for Stefan. You love Elena and Stefan and Damon too. You do."
Katherine gulps but tries to remain composed. "Love, please. Love is for fools."
"Really? Then answer this, if you don't care for Elena or Damon, why did you let Elena know about Damon's plans? If you don't care whether Elena lives or dies, why are you here?"
"This—this is all just a sick, twisted game to Klaus," Elena says angrily. "Think about it Stefan. He let Damon live all those years ago, why? Why didn't he kill him?...Klaus knew about the Shadows spell. He knew I would come back in another lifetime, but since Damon and I were bounded, I could only come back in a lifetime where Damon existed."
Katherine looks at her curiously. "But what are we going to do that he isn't already prepared for to save both you and Damon's life? Because Damon's plan is good and it will work, but he will die."
Elena swallows. "And I can't let that happen. There has to be another way."
"There is."
All three of them look toward the door. A woman with long, black hair and a pale, pursed face stands there staring at them stonily.
Isobel steps forward warily, keeping her eyes solely focused on Elena.
"There is a way to save you both."
SHADOWS
Chapter 25: When We Were Young
Bonnie's head throbs painfully as she weakly opens her eyes, sitting up against the back of the cage.
Tyler is sitting outside her cage cross-legged, just staring at her with a blank expression.
"Tyler," she says, anger residing in her voice. "Just go away. I can't stand the sight of you."
Tyler keeps his eyes on her. "I swear I never wanted to hurt him Bonnie, you have to believe me," he says, his voice cracking. "Matt was my best friend. I couldn't even be at his funeral."
Bonnie's face remains cold and full of hatred. "He shouldn't have even had a funeral."
Tyler looks away, his eyes welling with tears. "I was so full of rage. It controlled me." He places his head in his heads, his body shaking with sobs. "I just loved her so much. I didn't think straight!"
Bonnie cocks her head, pity overtaking her anger.
"To love someone is to want them to be happy, even if it means letting them go to be happy with someone else."
Tyler continues his quiet sobs, grieving for the mistake he will regret for the rest of his life.
Bonnie leans back in her cage, her hands suddenly touching a piece of rolled-up paper. "We are coming for you – J.G."
Bonnie's heart leaps. Jeremy. Jeremy was coming for her. But her smile quickly fades. Klaus would kill him. Jeremy was going to need help, but what could she do, trapped in this stupid cage?
She looks back at Tyler, his sobs continuing.
"Tyler," she says warily. "I need your help."
He looks up at her, tears staining his face.
"If I help you, will you help her forgive me?"
Bonnie shakes her head sadly. "She'll never forgive you Tyler. Only time can heal that wound."
Tyler nods, wiping the tears from his eyes. "Will you forgive me?"
Bonnie bites her lip, before shaking her head again. "I think the real question here is, will you be able to forgive yourself?"
Katherine sighs as she enters the room she had claimed as hers.
Isobel had requested to speak to Elena alone and, although Katherine had wanted to eavesdrop, one glare from Stefan made her begrudgingly retreat.
She fidgets with her lapis lazuli necklace as she slumps onto the bed. She looks down at her necklace, her one memory of her mother. Of a mother she never had.
Katerina sits on the front steps of the house, swinging her necklace in front of her like a pendulum.
"What are you up to sister?"
The necklace slips from Kat's fingers as Elena sits down on the steps next to her.
"Oh, just thinking," she says, picking up her necklace from the ground.
Elena fluffs out her dress around her, folding her hands delicately on her lap. She lets out a dramatic sigh.
Katerina raises her eyebrow. "What was that for?"
Elena turns her head to her sister and scrunches up her forehead. "I am so confused."
"About what?"
"About everything," Elena says, spreading her arms almost hitting Kat in the nose. "What is the purpose of my life? What will my future hold in store?"
Kat rolls her eyes. "Elena, you're 13. You only just learned how to walk in an evening gown without tripping over every two seconds."
"That gown was meant for someone twice my size! It wasn't my – anyway. There IS reason to be worried," Elena says exasperatingly. "Remember Jane? Just last year we'd visit her for playdates and now, she's married and pregnant with her first child. And she is only 13!"
Kat begins swinging her necklace again, her eyes following it left to right.
"Is that what you're worried about? That father will have us married soon?"
Elena smoothes her dress. "In part. Obviously, I'd like to choose my husband. I want to be in love, not married to some ugly beast."
Kat chuckles. "Knowing you, you'd probably fall in love with the beast. You always tend to find the good in people – even those who seem to have none."
"Everyone has good in them, I'm sure of it," Elena says laughing. "I guess, what really concerns me is…that I don't have…someone…to help me prepare for the ways of marriage."
"What are you talking about?" Kat asks, not tearing her eyes away from the swinging necklace. "You have Nana and myself – I'll give you a tip or two." She quickly glances at Elena, winking at her.
"We both know you never went beyond pecking Johnny on the cheek behind the haystack," Elena says, her eyes shining.
Kat rolls hers again. "Believe what you want little sister."
Elena laughs then grows serious again. "What I mean is…I guess what I'm trying to say is that I wish mother was here."
Kat stops swinging the necklace. She turns to look at Elena, her face growing serious.
"Why? Our mother never loved us. We don't need her, we never did."
Elena large brown eyes well up with tears. "Sometimes, I imagine she did love us. Sometimes, I imagine she's actually still out there somewhere. Looking for us. Forced to leave us for our own good but thinking about us everyday."
Kat's lips quiver. "But she's not. She's dead. And we're better off without her."
"Are we?" Elena says, a tear falling down her face.
Kat sighs and puts her arms around her. "We don't need our mother because we have each other Elena. I'll always love you and I'll always be with you. I promise."
Elena hugs her sister tightly. "I'll always love you too my darling sister."
Katherine opens her eyes, her vision blurred.
She looks down at her necklace again. She had broken that promise, she had hurt her sister. She wasn't sure if anything she did would make Elena forgive her.
A loud clang on the window made Katherine jump. She quickly stood up, prepared for an attack.
A large hawk was perched on the open windowsill, it's head cocked to one side. Its sharp beak is dripping blood as its stares at her, reprimanding her with those bead little eyes.
Suddenly, it springs toward her, its wings harshly flapping in her face as its beak penetrates her skin.
Katherine runs to the door, but the handle won't turn as the hawk continues its violent attack.
The door is suddenly thrown up and the hawk disappears through the open window. Katherine stares after it, still shocked, her chest heaving angrily.
"Are you okay?"
Katherine turns to look at her savior. "Stefan, that stupid hawk came out of nowhere!"
"It dropped this right before it flew off," Stefan says, picking up a rolled-up piece of parchment.
On it were only three words: She is mine.
Katherine grabs the note and throws it into the small fireplace.
"That sick fucker isn't getting his way. Not this time."
The anger in her voice takes Stefan by surprise. "You really do want to protect Elena don't you?"
Katherine swallows thickly, avoiding his gaze. "I owe her."
"You love her."
Katherine turns her head sharply.
Stefan places his hands on her shoulders. "That's why you told her about Damon's plan. Thank you."
Katherine tilts her head slightly, confused. "I didn't do it for you…"
"I know. That's why it's even more meaningful. You did it for her."
His green eyes gaze over her softly, his lips forming a gentle smile. Katherine smiles back, her heart beating in her chest. Their lips are so close to touching. Katherine can feel his cool breath on her anxious lips. Her eyes start to flutter shut. But a clearing of the throat and the loss of contact of Stefan's hands, pull her back down to earth. Stefan gives her small smile before stepping away from her.
"I should go back down, see if they're done."
Katherine nods and watches him head toward the door. Before he shuts it, he looks back at her one more time. "Let me know if any more giant birds attack you."
Katherine giggles. "Will do."
"Are you sure this plan will work?"
Isobel gives her a sad smile. "You don't trust me do you?"
Elena glares at her. "You haven't exactly given me reasons to trust you."
"I am sorry Elena. I know I have been an atrocious mother and I'm not going to make excuses for myself. But you have to believe me when I say that I have been trying to protect you – John and I both have."
Elena furrows her brows. "Protect me? How?"
"I was about six months pregnant when I had to make a sudden visit to the emergency room. Somehow I had fallen down the stairs at school and everyone was afraid I had lost the baby. I didn't but needed to stay a couple nights in the hospital. One night, I had a very strange visitor. It was a night I didn't remember for many years afterward. What you don't know Elena, what no one knew, was that I actually planned to keep you, to raise you myself."
Elena gasps. "What?"
Isobel nods sadly. "I wanted you, more than anything. I didn't care that the father was a man I didn't love. But I loved you from the moment I knew you were in here," Isobel touched her belly gently.
"I had decided that, as soon as I had you, I would move to the West Coast to live with my grandparents who had agreed to take me in. But, there was someone who didn't want that to happen. Someone, who needed you here."
Elena's mouth fell in understanding. "Klaus…"
Isobel nods. "That bastard visited me in the hospital and compelled me. He compelled me to hate you. He compelled me to believe that you were a huge mistake, that you were going to ruin my life. Because of him, I gave you away." Isobel's voice cracks. "I wanted you, more than anything Elena." She reached into her coat pocket and took out a soft yellow baby bonnet. "I started teaching myself to knit the day I found out I was pregnant."
Elena's body shook with tears as she reached out to take the bonnet. "Is everything you're telling me the truth?"
Isobel nods. "I loved you Elena. You will forever be my baby."
Tears stream down Elena's face and she hugs the bonnet to her chest.
"So, when you became a vampire, you remembered everything?"
"Yes, and began doing research on who Klaus was. I got in deep with the darkest of vampires, that's where I knew I would find the information I needed. And that's when I found out about Klaus' plan; a plan very few people knew. Interestingly enough, Klaus had estimated that you wouldn't return for at least thirty more years. But I knew. I knew you were the one."
Elena shakes her head, confused. "But why didn't you tell me?"
Isobel sighs. "How on earth would I have gotten you to believe me? I was a vampire who everyone believe dead. I told John and we agreed that the best plan was to keep you away, as much as possible, from the supernatural world. When I learned from Katherine that you were involved romantically with a vampire, I returned to Mystic Falls. It wasn't until I talked with Damon and realized of his feelings for you, that it was the same Damon that the vampires talked about – the Damon who would bring back the Queen – you. It would only be a matter of time before you fell for him too and, I was right."
Elena rubs her forehead. "Wow, this is…insane."
"Yes," Isobel looks at her concerned and full of love – an expression Elena finds both heartwarming and disconcerting.
"So, about the plan?"
"Yes, well the majority of my research was finding out how to kill Klaus – obviously, ending any threat to your life. Damon's plan was one of them but, when I stumbled upon the Shadows spell, I stumbled something else. This spell will also make Klaus mortal and, as a result, will be killed. It requires three objects: Rayna's wedding ring, her lapis lazuli necklace and your golden locket."
Elena thinks for a moment. "Well, we have the first two – they belong to Katherine and Nikolina. But the last one, my locket, I don't know where it is…"
"When did you last have it on?" Isobel asks.
"When I…died."
Isobel nods. "So where do you think it could be?"
Elena stares at her mother, the word still a foreign concept to her.
She gasps.
"I know where it is. I never took it off, I still have it on.
It's in my grave."
Klaus reclines in his favorite plush red armchair, lounging comfortably as the enormous fireplaces crackles.
Three vampires stand before him, each holding a different tiara.
"My Queen must have the very best so," he reaches out for the first one, "not this one. What a piece of shit." He chucks it into the fireplace. "Get the fuck out of the room."
The vamp scurries away while the other two stare at each other wide-eyed. Klaus grabs the second one: silver with diamonds and emeralds. "Not bad, not exactly what I'm looking for but I've definitely seen worse."
The vampire, relief washing over him after not being thrown out, just slowly walks out.
Klaus grabs the third tiara and grins broadly. "Now this is what I'm talking about. Explain it to me."
"This crown, called the Triple Moon Snake Crown, was worn by Egyptian goddesses themselves," the vampire says proudly. "It's pure gold set with moonstone, amethyst, garnets and crystals. These here are delicate pearl strands and these here are carved amethyst leaves."
Klaus kisses one of the carven golden snakes. "It's perfect."
"There's even a matching crown designed especially for a lord such as yourself."
Klaus smirks. "Even better."
A loud knock suddenly sounds at the parlor door.
"What the bloody hell do you want?" Klaus yells, annoyed.
No one answers, the knock continues. Suspicious, Klaus gives the tiara back to the vampire jeweler, and forces himself out of his comfortable chair.
Before he reaches the handle, the door is forced open and Klaus is slightly thrown back. There, in the doorway and in front of two unmoving vampire guards, is Lucy holding a large, fancy stake.
Klaus cocks his head, staring at the stake. "Come to kill me my love? You won't, I assure you."
Lucy, breathing hard, raises the stake. "I came to ask you to release Bonnie and take me instead."
Klaus raises an eyebrow. "Well this sure is an interesting development. Who are you exactly?" He inches closer to her.
"My name is Lucy Bennett and I'm a witch," Lucy stands up strongly, proudly. "I'm stronger, older than my cousin. I beg you, let her go and do what you will with me."
Bonnie anxiously shakes the bars of her cage. Something is happening, she can feel it. Tyler suddenly comes sprinting down, coming to a halt in front of Bonnie's cage.
"Lucy's here, she's talking with Klaus right now."
Bonnie's eyes begin to well up. "You have to help me Tyler! He's going to kill her!"
Tyler's chest heaves up and down, his hands pulling at his hair. "He'll kill me Bonnie!"
"No, he'll kill Jeremy."
Tyler looks up at her, his eyes wide.
"Jeremy's here?"
"He's right outside," Bonnie exclaims with fear. "We have to go back to save Elena. You can help us Tyler, you can help us save her. Please!"
"So I'm buried by New York? How am I going to find where exactly I'm buried? Are you coming with me?"
Isobel gently places her hand over Elena's. "If you want me to."
Elena nods, smiling. "I do. But we don't have much time."
"Then I suggest we get going Elena. We need to get back before tomorrow evening."
Klaus throws his head back in maniacal laughter.
"You Bennett witches are all the same! Pa-the-tic."
He roughly grabs Lucy and pushes her to the ground. He grabs the stake and breaks it in half.
"White ash. And you say you didn't come to kill me."
A loud explosion is suddenly heard from below. Klaus swiftly turns his head around. "Bonnie," he mutters under his breath. A few vampire guards finally make an appearance. "Don't let that fucking witch escape," Klaus commands them angrily as they take off.
But before they make it very far, the vampires are thrown back, their bodies in flames.
Klaus stands up, holding Lucy by the neck, as Bonnie appears. Her hair is disheveled, ash coats her face, but she is completely in control as she stares at him in hatred.
"Let her go Klaus," she commands him firmly."
"Umm…no?" He says, mockingly.
Bonnie smirks. "You asked for it."
Tyler suddenly appears with a tank of gasoline and, before Klaus can react, Tyler throws the contents up into the air where Bonnie then turns into a giant ball of flames.
The flames engulf Klaus, who slightly releases his hold on Lucy.
Lucy takes the opportunity to catch one of the ends of the white ash stake Tyler throws at her and stabs Klaus in the chest, unfortunately missing his heart by an inch.
Bonnie, having used too much power, falls into Tyler's arms. Lucy squints her eyes, holding back tears.
"Tyler!" Lucy yells, looking back at them. "Take Bonnie and run! Run and don't look back. Please."
Tyler nods, picks up Bonnie, and runs out.
"You're going to pay for that witch."
Klaus swiftly stands up and pushed her into the wall. Lucy falls, looking back toward the hallway. They were gone. Her cousin was safe.
Klaus, without another single pause, snaps Lucy's neck just as Elijah comes running in.
"Just missed all the fun. Damn witches."
Elijah looks around at the dying flames, broken stake and dead witch. "Looks like it."
Klaus dusts off his suit. "So, were you able to contact him? I kind of need him now," he says pointing at the dead witch.
"As a matter of fact, I did."
"Perfect," Klaus says as he heads out the door.
"But," Elijah says warily. "I have learned that Damon has gone in search for the elixir."
Klaus stops in his track, his jaw twitching. "That bastard is trying to ruin everything again. Follow him, make sure he doesn't drink the elixir. But…keep him alive. I want the pleasure of killing him myself."
"As you wish."
Tyler sprints down the road with Bonnie weakly mumbling in his arms.
"Tyler, Tyler," she mutters. "Where is Lucy?"
Tyler, unaware of how to answer, just continues to run. At long last, he spots a figure anxiously standing by a truck. It's Jeremy.
"Bonnie!" Jeremy runs to meet Tyler, who hands Bonnie delicately to him.
"Jeremy?" Bonnie says groggily, her hands tightly around Jeremy's neck.
"Yeah, it's me. Oh Bonnie, I was so afraid," he holds her closer to his chest, relief all over his face.
Bonnie lets her eyes open then suddenly, pushes down his face and kisses him.
Tyler can't help but smile.
After pulling away, Jeremy looks down in shock.
"But, I thought…the curse?"
Bonnie shakes her head. "Screw that stupid curse. I'd rather die knowing I've loved fully and wonderfully than to live with no love at all."
Jeremy grins through tears, kissing her once more.
There was no thanking Tyler, but seeing them happier than they've ever been was all the thanks Tyler needed.
"I can't believe Damon ditched us," Alaric complains as he slashes his way through the large plants obscuring his path. "And in the middle of the Amazon!"
"You know as well as I do why Damon left us," Rose said, turning her head back to look at Ric. "Damon wanted us to return back to Mystic Falls but the idiot actually assumed we would."
"God, it's hot out here."
Rose rolls her eyes. "Stop complaining. The sooner we find Damon, the sooner we can get the hell out of this place. Come on."
Katherine throws the empty bloodbag into the trashcan, satisfied enough and ready for the roadtrip.
"Heading out now?"
Stefan stands by her doorway, watching her with a slight smile.
"Yup. Can't wait to dig up Elena and see how gross her skeleton is."
Stefan chuckles, much to Katherine's surprise.
"Wish I could join you all but I'm worried about Caroline. Probably best if I stayed here in case she needs something."
Katherine's lips tighten.
"Yeah, poor little Caroline."
Stefan raises an eyebrow. "You have something against her?"
Katherine looks away from his gaze. "I just…wish I was as important to you as her."
The room is filled with silence for a minute before Stefan approaches her slowly.
"You are important Katherine," he says, softly caressing her chin. Katherine's heart leaps out of her chest. "Please, don't let any harm come to Elena…or you."
Katherine nods, momentarily paralyzed by his stare. Katherine starts to head to the door but Stefan pulls her arm back and crushes his lips to hers.
The kiss brings Katherine back to life. He pulls away after a little while and tucks a curl behind her ear. "See you soon."
Elena hugs her aunt, squeezing her tightly.
"Please be safe Elena," Jenna pleads.
"I will aunt Jenna. I got two strong vampires with me after all."
Jenna looks at Isobel and Katherine warily. "Yeah…not helping me be reassured."
"I'll be fine Jenna. Take care of yourself too and please let me know if the others get back before me."
Jenna nods and Elena turns to Bonnie.
"You have no idea how sorry I am that this happened to you Bon."
Bonnie hugs her, sighing. "It's not your fault Elena. I'm just glad to be out of that creepy house and…back with this one."
She turns to Jeremy, smiling.
Elena grins. "This," she says gesturing at their intertwined hands, "makes me so happy."
Jeremy laughs. "Glad we have your approval."
"Oh crap," Elena turns to Katherine and Isobel. "Forgot my jacket in the kitchen. I'll be right back."
Elena throws the door open to the kitchen, without turning the light on, and heads straight toward her jacket thrown over the counter. As she puts it on, she suddenly hears a slow dripping coming from the ceiling. She looks down at the floor tiles and spots a large puddle of a dark liquid. With a knot in her chest, Elena switches on the light and looks up.
A body is hanging from the ceiling, the neck slit, eyes bulging.
The body of John Gilbert.
Interested in seeing what the crown Klaus fell in love with looked like? Type in 'triple moon snake crown' in google and check the first few images. Hope you enjoyed the chapter :)