AN: Thanks to everyone who reviewed previous chapters. If it weren't for your support, this story wouldn't be happening. So thanks a lot.

Chapter 34: Blowing The Candles

Shanyra and Emily were sitting together in the lawn of the Lockwood Mansion. Shae was still in New Orleans when Caroline called and told her about Emily. Kol brought her back to Mystic Falls immediately knowing she wanted to be with her friend. Tyler Lockwood took it upon himself to help Emily through this; meaning being a werewolf. And now that she has triggered the curse, Emily found out everything else about the supernatural world as well. To say the least, she was shocked to learn all the secrets that surrounded her, her entire life.

"I wanted to tell you everything Emily. Many times I had made up my mind to spill everything to you. But then, I backed off every time thinking how crazy your life would become after learning about this crazy supernatural world. I just wanted you to have a normal life." Shae sighed out heavily, then said-

"I'm sorry Em. If I had told you everything then perhaps you wouldn't have triggered the curse accidentally." She sincerely apologized to her friend and felt very guilty about it. Emily was sad and hurt and a little angry as well when she learned that unlike herself, Shanyra knew all about the supernatural. But she never said anything to her. They were best friends. They weren't supposed to keep any secrets from each other. Specially such a big one.

"I know you meant well Shae. It's just I don't understand- I mean you knew about all this since you were twelve and you still live a pretty normal life. Why did you think it would be different for me?" Emily couldn't help but ask.

"Normal!" Shae couldn't stop herself from scoffing.

"Imagine being in love with someone one minute, then you have a thousand year old original vampire come in your life and tell you that we are meant to be together and he kills the person you love. You plot to kill him and take revenge but right before you do it, you suddenly remember all about your past with him. You remember how much you loved him and the things he did for you. Then not only you change your mind about killing him but you also give into him because you cannot handle anything happening to him or losing him. Does that sound normal to you?" She sighed out heavily before continuing.

"I love Kol, Em, I really do. And I want to be with him. But that doesn't mean I'm not aware that I'm literary spitting on Sam's death. The guilt of it is too much." Shanyra was glad that Kol wasn't at the Lockwood mansion. He would've gone ballistic hearing her say these things. He would've thought she was forcefully with him and not really wanting to.

"I'm sorry" said Emily feeling sorry for her friend.

"And of course being on the top of the travelers' hit list isn't normal either." Shae finished her piece saying that.

"I know. I'm sorry Shae. I'm an idiot to think that you live a normal life." Emily hugged Shae and she hugged her back.

"It's okay. You're a Lockwood. Not telling you about the supernatural world was a mistake. But I promise I won't hide anything from you ever again. I'm so sorry for keeping you in the dark for all these years."

"I forgive you. You're here for me now. That's what matters." They hugged each other for a while longer before pulling away. They smiled at each other. Happy that the conflicts resolved and their friendship wasn't ruined.

"Do you think we should tell Maggie?" Shae asked sounding conflicted about it.

"She'd be excited to know that vampires exist" said Emily jokingly at first, then started to think of it seriously.

"She'll be completely overwhelmed at first." She said knowing it to be true.

"That she will be indeed." Shae agreed.

"The things that are happening now with the travelers and all, keeping her in the dark won't keep her safe anymore" said Emily maturely.

"I know but what if she can't accept the truth. What if- she can't accept us?" Shae said worriedly. She obviously didn't want their friend to start thinking of them as freaks. After Shae said it, Emily got worried as well.

"Perhaps we shouldn't drop the bomb on her all on a sudden. We could start dropping hints at first and then when she seems ready enough, we tell her everything." Emily suggested and Shae agreed to it immediately.

"Yeah that's a good idea."

"Tomorrow is her birthday. We'll spend a lot of time together. It's a good opportunity to drop hints" said Shae making Emily smile but then her smile dropped a little.

"Do you think Kol will be okay with you spending the day with us?" She asked curiously.

"No but I don't think he'd risk upsetting me." Shae said confidently.

"I gotta say, it's so weird to know that you've a soul mate and that it's our history teacher." Emily said with dry humor in her voice.

"Yeah, tell me about it." Shae said sighing out a little.

"Why doesn't he resign? It's not like he really needs the job" said Emily.

"He said and I quote 'it's for your protection'. Apparently as soon as he lets me out of his sight, I'll get into some kind of danger." Shae said while rolling her eyes to herself.

"He isn't lurking around, is he?" Emily looked around to make sure Kol really wasn't around and watching them from distance.

"No, he went home. Not that he was happy about it. But thankfully I was able to make him understand that hovering isn't gonna make me love him more" said Shae.

"You've quite the hold over him Forbes." Emily said teasingly.

"Yeah, it's a genetic thing. You should see the way my sister has Klaus wrapped around her fingers." Shanyra said without thinking anything of it but it got a strange reaction out of Emily.

"Is he in love with Caroline?" She asked way too curiously. It made Shae raise her eyebrows at her. Emily quickly shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.

"What? I'm just asking."

"Mhmm, you find Klaus attractive, don't you?" Shea asked, narrowing her eyes at her friend.

"No!" Emily exclaimed at once.

"I mean he's fine. I mean I'm not interested okay." Shanyra started laughing at Emily's flushed state. It made her hit Shae in the arm playfully. They sat together for a while longer and talked some more. Finally Shanyra could talk to one of her best friends about the supernatural stuff. And pretty soon Maggie would learn the truth too.

The following day, Shanyra was very busy with all the arrangements of the birthday party which was taking place at the Fell state; in the mansion. Maggie wanted her to do the decorations and take care of other things. She and Emily went out to get the dresses from the boutique. Shae was checking her to do list carefully. Everything was on schedule but there were still a lot to do. The party would start around seven in the evening. Therefore there was still a plenty of time to get everything done properly but no time to rest though. As Shae had her complete attention focused on the list, she got startled when someone wrapped arms around her waist. It was obviously Kol who sneaked up on her. He buried his face in her hair and inhaled deeply.

"Gosh, I missed you." Kol said as if he hadn't seen her in years.

"Yeah, me too. It's been three and a half hours since we last saw each other. I almost forgot how you look like." Shae said jokingly exaggerating with a smile on her lips. Kol turned her around in his embrace so they were facing each other now.

"That's why I came here love. To remind you how I look like and also how much I love you." Kol captured her lips and stole a kiss from her. He wanted to continue but unfortunately Shae had other plans.

"As much as I 'd love to continue; I've work to do and I forbid you to distract me." She said very seriously but it only made Kol seduce her more.

"Whatever you say." He said but then he began kissing her neck. He touched all her sensitive spots with his soft lips.

"Kol, I'm serious." Shae said becoming a little breathless already.

"I know." Kol said, only to take his hands to places where he knew touching her would make her knees go weak. Her face became flushed when Kol cupped one of her breasts and started fondling gently. A moan threatened to escape Shae's breath.

"Someone will walk in on us." She said worriedly. Though Shae already has her eyes closed and giving into Kol's seduction slowly.

"Like I care." Saying that Kol picked up Shae and pushed her up against the wall. She also wrapped her legs around him to pull him closer. Kol left ravishing her neck only to capture her beautiful mouth again. He kissed her a bit roughly this time with urgency and need reflecting in that kiss. A moan escaped Shae's throat and their kiss deepened and their tongues got involved. They had only began their heated make out session when they heard someone calling Shanyra's name.

"Shanyra!" The calling of her name, snapped Shae out of that arousing moment.

"Mrs. Fell!" She gasped out loud. It was clear she would enter the room any moment now.

"Kol put me down." She said urgently but her lover didn't move. He simply kept staring at her while he kept her pinned against the wall. There was a smirk playing on his perfect lips.

"Kol, Mrs. Fell can't see us together. She takes vervain so you can't compel her either. We'll become the gossip of the year. Put me down right now." This time it was no longer a request. Shae demanded her release at once.

"Only if you promise to spend the night with me after the party."

"Fine, I'll." Shae promised hastily.

"Now let me go." Kol pecked her lips once before putting her down and stepping away from her. Shae barely had the time to proper her appearance as Mrs. Fell entered the room.

"Oh here you are honey-" She began to say but stopped when she saw Kol there.

"Oh Mr. Mikaelson. I didn't know you are here." Mrs. Fell looked really surprised to see him at her mansion.

"Please call me Kol. Actually I-" Kol glanced at Shae and smirked a little. Before he could say anything else, Shae spoke up interrupting him. She just didn't trust him to say the right thing here. For all she knew, Kol could've just blurted out that he has come to seduce her.

"Actually Caroline asked Mr. Mikaelson to help me with the arrangements Mrs. Fell." Shanyra quickly explained the reason for Kol to be there at the mansion before the party. Kol grinned and nodded his head.

"Oh that's lovely. I didn't know you and Caroline are so close" said Mrs. Fell.

"Yes, I've close relationship with the Forbes" said Kol secretly smirking. And the way he looked at Shae that moment, it'd have made a blind person suspicious that something was between them. Before Mrs. Fell could notice this look carefully, Shae spoke up to distract her.

"Were you looking for me Mrs. Fell? Is there any problem?" She asked politely.

"Oh no, there isn't any problem dear. I just have a few last minute invitations. You should add these names to the guest list" said Mrs. Fell as she handed Shae a list of names.

"I'll get it done right away" said Shae and she walked away to get the task done. Mrs. Fell however instead of leaving; she started talking to Kol again. And perhaps her tone was a little bit flirty too this time. Kol obviously acknowledged that and it boasted his ego quite a bit. Shae on the other hand could only shake her head to herself as she watched their interaction. Later in the evening, all the arrangements were done perfectly and people were having a good time at the party. Maggie has already cut her birthday cake and blew 18 candles. It was fun. She is finally eighteen. Maggie was dying to become an adult. At the moment, everyone was just enjoying the music and chatting away with each other.

"Emily I'm gonna step outside for a moment. Need some fresh air." Shae informed her friend who nodded in understanding. She then walked out of the mansion but didn't go very far. Shae simply needed to be away from the crowd for a moment. For some unknown reason she was having this disturbing feeling as if something bad is going to happen.

"What's wrong?" Suddenly someone spoke up but it didn't startle Shae this time. She was kind of expecting Kol to appear out of nowhere.

"Why would you ask that?" Shae asked instead of answering.

"Because I know that face. It means something is bothering you." Kol said with certainty and worriedly. Shae didn't try to deny it.

"I don't know. I'm just having a bad feeling. With Mikael, Markos and Zuriel out there, plotting against us who knows when something terrible is going to happen and we won't be able to do anything about it." Kol understood her worries and shared them with her. He was no less worried about their enemies. Kol wrapped an arm around Shae's back and pulled her closer to him. She also leaned in and rested her head against his shoulder.

"I don't know where our enemies are or what they are up to but I do know that we will fight them together and win. My brother Klaus is the smartest and the most cunning man alive when it comes to defeating an enemy. And I'll do anything to protect you and keep you safe."

"And what will I do? Because there's no way in hell I'll just sit there and let you put your life in danger for me." Shae said at once.

"Of course not darling. You'll be doing the most important thing" said Kol very seriously.

"Which is?" Shanyra asked curiously.

"Loving me." He said so easily as if that was the most obvious thing. Shae rolled her eyes at him because she was trying to have a serious conversation here therefore cheesiness wasn't appreciated that moment.

"What? I'm serious. I cannot function without your love. It's like a fuel for me."

"Really? I thought blood is what keeps you going." Shae remarked sarcastically.

"Not anymore" said Kol with utter seriousness in his voice. Shae looked at him and their eyes locked. Kol was looking at her quite intensely and it increased her heartbeat in response. It was hard to tell who moved first but within a second, they were passionately kissing each other. It didn't last long though because that really wasn't an appropriate place for a wild and passionate make out session.

"Do you wish to go back inside?" Kol asked. Shae could only shook her head. She was feeling so breathless that couldn't really speak up.

"Then come with me." Kol took Shanyra to his car. They got inside and then drove away from the Fell state. They were obviously gonna go somewhere secluded and let their passion and desire consume them. Kol and Shae and everyone else who knew of the supernatural world or part of it were aware that pretty soon things are gonna get haywire. So there was really no point in wasting time to be with each other and then later regret it.

Violet's House:

Sam's sister Violet left Mystic Falls as planned and settled down in Jacksonville but that didn't mean the supernatural world decided to leave her alone. Violet was sitting alone in the house and going through the photos of her brother Sam. She still couldn't believe that he was no more. Why fate was so cruel? Little did Violet know that fate was about to get crueler with her? She suddenly heard the doorbell ring, so she went to answer it.

"Yes? How may I help you?" Violet asked the stranger who was standing in front of her now.

"My name is Markos and I want you to let me in." He said with a smile but Violet sensed trouble and immediately tensed up.

"And why would I do that?" She asked, ready to close the door and call 911 for help. But then Markos said something which stopped her from doing either of those things.

"Because I know the truth behind your brother's death." Markos spoke with such confidence and strength in his voice that Violet was forced to think that either he was really telling the truth or he was a very good liar. Chances were that he was completely lying but what if he was telling the truth. What if he really knew what exactly happened to Sam. After debating for sometime, Violet let Markos in her house. Not that he needed invitation like a vampire but Markos didn't want to force himself in specially when there was an easier way.

"So tell me what happened? How did my brother die?" Violet asked at once as soon as they were inside the house.

"Patience. Before you learn the truth behind your brother's death, you need to learn about some other important things first." Saying that, Markos started to tell Violet everything. He told her that he was a traveler and that vampires, werewolves and witches exist in this world. Of course he had to show her proof but that wasn't a problem. For a moment though, Violet thought this Markos guy was someone crazy and must've run away from a mental hospital recently. But the proofs were as real as herself. After all she couldn't not believe her own eyes. Once Violet's believe in the supernatural world was established, Markos then told her that her brother Sam was actually killed by a vampire and that it was no robbery attack. The Sheriff and everyone else lied to her. Hearing that Violet's sorrow turned into anger pretty quickly.

"A vampire killed by brother? Who is that vampire?" Violet asked with enraged tone of voice.

"Kol Mikaelson." Markos replied straight away. Violet obviously didn't remember Kol or their history together. She was already feeling angry but now she felt confused as well.

"But why? Why did he kill Sam? What did my brother do to him." She asked trying not to start crying hard. But it was proving to be very difficult to keep herself together and not break down.

"Nothing. Your brother just had something the vampire wanted" said Markos not mentioning Shanyra just yet. Violet on the other hand started breathing heavily. All these information were too much for her to handle. Not to mention all on a sudden and at once. She felt like the world was crashing down on her. Everything has changed and it happened within the span of an hour.

"You don't remember Kol Mikaelson, do you Ms. Violet?" Markos asked knowing it to be true when Violet didn't recognize that name. She furrowed her eyebrows at him in return.

"Why would I know a vampire? What are you talking about?" She asked with confusion and impatience in her voice.

"You've met Kol Mikaelson before but your memories were erased; that's why you don't remember anything. All I can say now is that you've a rather interesting history with him." Markos said making Violet look at him with disbelieve in her eyes. But after everything that she learned, she didn't dare to doubt his words.

"What history?" Violet asked anxiously. What Markos didn't or wouldn't tell her is that her history with Kol and Shanyra makes her the perfect pawn in Zuriel's game.

"Do you want to remember? I can help you remember." Markos said with a smirk because he already knew the answer.

"Of course I want to remember. I wanna know what I forgot." Violet said without an ounce of doubt in her voice. Markos didn't put any condition to it like if you do this then I'll do that. He simply used his magic to make Violet remember everything about Kol. After that, Violet spent good fifteen minutes shaking as she remembered everything. How she met Kol? What happened between them? Everything.

"Do you remember now?" Markos asked and Violet nodded her head. Her entire body still shaking.

"Yes, I remember. I remember how Kol Mikaelson manipulated me, fed on me, used my body -"

"And he also killed your brother." Markos stated on purpose. He needed Violet to hate the original a lot. Tears started to fall from her eyes. Now after getting her memories back and knowing the truth, her brother's death seemed even more unfair than before.

"You can avenge your brother you know." Markos said in a way that made Violet immediately interested.

"How?" She asked with shaking voice but it was still filled with anger and determination.

"By helping us." Markos stated it simply, getting straight to the point.

"You mean the travelers. But what can I do?" Violet asked with confusion but curiously as well. Obviously she was willing to do anything to get back at Kol Mikaelson.

"The mother of travelers, our leader Zuriel needs a body. If you let her in your body she'll kill Kol and anyone that stands between her and him." Markos assured. Violet's permission wouldn't have been required if Zuriel simply wanted to possess her. She wanted to make Violet's body her own. It was a tricky spell and required permission of the person. This would kill Violet for sure but she wouldn't know about it until too late. Markos chose Violet for obvious reasons. No one would suspect her to be the mother of traveler, at least in the beginning. Also she'd be able to interact with Shanyra and the rest of the gang without any trouble. If possessing a stranger's body, that wouldn't have been possible.

"What happened to her own body?" Violet asked curiously.

"It's destroyed besides, Zuriel needs to be inside someone who could get close to Kol. And you certainly can." Markos explained.

"So, would you help us Ms. Violet?" Markos asked politely as if she had an option here to say no but anyone thinking straight at that time could tell that Violet didn't have any choice in this matter. Unfortunately she wasn't thinking straight. Or perhaps she did sense it too but she didn't care about it. Violet wanted Kol dead and she'd do anything to make it happen. Even if it meant letting a traveler take over her body for sometime. Only it wouldn't be for just some time. Violet looked straight into Markos's eyes and nodded her head with utter certainty.

"Yes, I will help you. I want Kol Mikaelson dead." Seeing her determination, Markos looked at her with a pleased expression on his face.

"And he will die. Soon."

AN: This is it for now. Please review. Love you all.