The Hunter's Mark

Damon settled on the white couch by the fire place and chugged down on his second bottle of bourbon. He was already drunk, alright. But since he was all alone in this empty house where others wouldn't be able to find him, he just felt like wallowing up in this peace and solitude. He gazed at the fire in the fireplace then chugged afterwards again.

He heard the door open, and then was shut with a loud bang. So he frowned and turned only to see Elizabeth walking inside. He stood up and walked to the foyer. "What happened to you?" He asked as he looked all over her. She was a bloody mess. Her blouse had this giant hole by her stomach where this bloody wound was healing. Her face was bloody in patches, which looked like shattered glasses were thrown at her, and her wrists and ankles were bloody as well. Even her jeans were ripped, as if she was whipped. Not to mention her beautiful hair… It was quite disturbing to look at all of that. Her deep green eyes looked directly at his ice blue ones, and they had a certain gleam of fiery and exhaustion.

"Nik happened," She breathed, and before he can ask any more, she quickly added, "I don't want to talk about it… What are you doing here?" She then asked with a frown. He then shrugged. He knew that she was actually in a foul mood right now, but he was drunk enough to even ignore it.

"What can I say?" He asked with a drunken smirk. "I was worried about you, baby." Elizabeth's eyebrows shot up in surprise, and pressed her lips together.

"I actually know that you are drunk, but right now I think you're just plain delusional." She commented, and Damon smiled. He had to admit that making fun of her was absolutely fun. He knew at some point or another that if he said that, it would elicit such response from her that she just said. She then waited for him to say something, but she added, "You know the way out. And please leave that bottle of bourbon. God knows how much you've already drank."

"Hey, relax." He continued with a teasing frown, and walked towards her. "I know how to make you feel better." He then gave her an easy smile. She smiled back, but it definitely had a hint of sarcasm, then it faded too quickly, as she raised her eyebrows.

"And how will you do that?" She asked. He shrugged as he continued to smile. Then, without hesitation, he bit on his hand using his sharp fangs, and extended his arm towards her.

"I know how hungry you are," He said. "So drink for me, baby," He added with a wink. Elizabeth looked at his now bloody hand in temptation and in hesitation. She then looked at him rather suspiciously with a mix of mockery - as if she was asking if he was actually serious. "The last thing I want to do is to make you my dinner." She then looked away. Damon pursed his lips together and withdrew his hand.

"You're really trying to be modest right now?" He asked and waited for her to reply. Instead, she continued looking away. He then sighed impatiently. The bite on his hand was already starting to heal and he didn't really have any time for this. "Suit yourself. I'm not the one who experienced Klaus inquisition anyway." He said with a shrug as he looked away. And with that remark, she quickly shot him a look. So he looked at her again, and said, "I insist." His tone was calm and rather sweet, as he looked deeply into her eyes in all seriousness and raised his hand. Her eyes turned red, revealing her vampire features which showed how hungry she really was, but they returned to normal almost too quickly.

"You know that I am old enough to control blood lust..."

"Shh..." Damon said, and held her hand with his other. He took a step forward, their bodies only a few inches apart, and then he whispered. "Just do it." She looked down, in which he knew she was still deciding. Then slowly, she held onto his wrist and licked the blood from his hand. He quickly felt the electric shock piercing through his body, and he closed his eyes in some kind of relief that he couldn't really fathom. And then, after the licking and some kind of kissing - it just felt that way - she finally bit and drank.

And it was very intoxicating.

"So what did Elizabeth say to Jeremy?"

Stefan frowned as he sat beside Elena as he gave her a glass of scotch. She accepted it gratefully and sipped on it. It had been a long night. Stefan removed these wooden bullets that were shot against Tyler's chest. They were very strange; they were carved with such precision and they had this strange mark on it. He certainly had never seen anything like those before. After the whole bullets thing, he let Tyler rest upstairs and Caroline was there to accompany him.

"They didn't really speak at all." Stefan said as he recalled the whole situation. Elizabeth definitely acknowledged his presence with a remark, "Don't worry, this won't really last long." She gave him an easy smile, and looked at Jeremy when he asked what she wanted to talk about. And then, her eyes were looking directly at Jeremy's as if they were in a conversation, in which Stefan realized that she was using telepathy. "Her lips weren't moving. Clearly, she was talking to him using telepathy." Elena nodded.

"So we're gonna have to find out for ourselves." With that, she brought out her mobile phone, and called Jeremy using her speed dial. It started ringing, and then within a couple of seconds, Jeremy finally picked up.

"Hey," Jeremy answered. Elena looked at Stefan who nodded, and immediately began asking. Stefan was absolutely curious about this whole favor thing that Elizabeth asked from Jeremy. It could be anything dangerous. None of them even trusts Elizabeth except for Damon – or maybe not.

"Hey, Jer" She replied. "Are you at home?" She asked, making sure he was safe first, which Stefan clearly understood.

"Yeah, of course I am. Where are you?"

"I'm at Stefan's. We're still taking care of Tyler." Elena replied as she gave Stefan a look. "Listen; tell me what Elizabeth told you."

"It was really weird." Jeremy began. "In my head she was saying that she needed me to talk to this guy that we met at the bar."

"Wait… At the bar?"

"Yeah, at the Grill. It was my shift. She was there and she was talking to this guy and I served them a glass of scotch." Jeremy casually replied.

"And who was the guy?" Elena asked as she frowned at the phone's screen.

"His name's Connor."

"Connor?" Stefan repeated.

"Yeah." He replied. "She wanted me to get to know him, you know, like talk and stuff. And she wants me to know about his tattoo."

"Jeremy, Connor's the guy who shot Tyler earlier." Elena chimed in, clearly concerned now that his brother might be in some sort of danger. Stefan couldn't blame Elena for feeling that way. It was strange enough that Elizabeth asked Jeremy a favor, but now, it was stranger because she's on to this Connor guy. "You should be very careful." Elena added.

"Of course, I will."

"Did she say anything else?" Stefan asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"She said that if I agreed to do it, she guarantees everyone's safety." Jeremy replied, his tone was more serious now. Elena looked at Stefan. Her eyebrows were furrowed in wonder.

"Safety?" Elena repeated absent-mindedly. Now it got even stranger.

"Did she say anything else about Connor?" Stefan asked.

"No." Jeremy said. "That was it." Stefan nodded even though he couldn't really see him do so.

"Okay Jer," Elena breathed. "Just be careful. And always give us a heads up."

"Okay." Then Elena clicked off. She looked at Stefan, but he was already holding his phone and calling Damon. They both knew that this whole favor thing with Elizabeth was rather sketchy. None of them know what she actually knows, and that it might be very dangerous. Damon's phone rang for a couple of seconds then a few more, before he finally picked up.

"You're definitely interrupting, brother." He heard Damon say on the other end. And for some reason, Damon sounded as if he was drunk – which he might be. It's not surprising.

"Where are you?" Stefan asked, looking at Elena now. He knew she was also listening.

"Away." He simple replied. Stefan continued to frown, because he knew that if Damon was somehow up to something, he keeps things vague when they talk.

"Where 'away' exactly?" Stefan insisted. But then he heard Damon dramatically sigh on the other end.

"What is it, Stefan?" Damon said, as if his questions were agonizing. "If you have nothing important to say to me, then we should just hang up."

"Look," Stefan breathed impatiently. "Elizabeth asked Jeremy to know this guy and his tattoo. His name's Connor. He was the one who attacked Tyler earlier tonight."

"Hm. I actually never heard of that guy." Damon replied. "How did he attack Tyler exactly?"

"Shot him several times in the chest with these wooden bullets that were expertly carved." Stefan casually replied as he shrugged. "I've never seen anything like it before. And it's got this mark on it."

"Well, brother." He said. "You do your research and I'll do mine." With that, Stefan knew he was about to hang up, so he immediately thought of something to say and quickly blurt it out.

"All we're saying is, be careful." Stefan quickly said. "Elizabeth made Jeremy do it by guaranteeing everyone's safety. Clearly, there's something that she knows, and we all need to be careful. She's definitely up to something…"

"I can take care of myself." Damon replied with his tone low and even. "And as for Elizabeth, if you think she's sketchy, why would she guarantee all of our safety if Jeremy does that favor for her? But, if it makes you feel any better, I'll find out." Then Damon clicked off. Stefan looked at his phone's screen, and heard Elena exhale loudly.

"We have to do something." She said as she shook her head, and looked at him. "Damon's really getting close with her. And who knows what she can do. She's very strong and powerful." Stefan nodded as he digested this information. All of them knew that Elizabeth was an Original who feeds on vampires. And she's definitely not to be taken lightly. "We have to kill them. We have to kill her and the rest of them."

He stood under the tree. It was a shaded area, and the leaves danced beautifully as a slight breeze blew upon them. The sky was blue, and the sun was up, shining gloriously. It was such a beautiful day. But he was a man with a mission. There, he found his target, walking towards the school, and came inside. He knew that that was his cue to come inside as well, and so he did.

The halls were filled with students, bustling with their books clutched by their chests, or their hands clutching on their bag's shoulder straps. It was definitely rather mundane, and he didn't exactly know why Rebekah liked being here. He had his eye set on one man, and he continued walking far behind him as he followed. The man turned to the corner, and went inside an empty classroom. Klaus stayed outside, but peeked through the door, and saw that little Jeremy Gilbert was seated on an arm chair by the teacher's desk.

"Do you mind telling me who you are and why you are here?" He heard Jeremy say; as the hunter was looking at the folder he was holding. "I'm happy to miss Bio, but…"

"I looked into your family's history." Connor said as he stood up. "You and your sister had been through a lot…" He then tossed the folder at Jeremy's arm chair.

"And what are you, a social worker? Why do you care?" Jeremy asked. Then, Connor inhaled then finally replied.

"Because you saw this," He then folded up his right hand's sleeve. Klaus frowned as he continued to look. Jeremy looked at it with a frown too.

"It's a tattoo; big deal." He replied and looked up at him.

"I call this a Hunter's mark." Connor said as he continued to work up his sleeve. Then he looked at Jeremy. "As in vampire hunter." He finished as Jeremy's eyebrows shot up. Klaus' eyes narrowed.

"A… A vampire hunter?" Jeremy repeated, as if it was the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard. Clearly, he was faking innocence. He then gave out an air laugh as he stood and said, "I'm sorry man," He then slung his bag over his shoulder.

"Jeremy," Connor interrupted. "I know you family's history in this town. So you playing dumb, just… makes you look dumb." Connor then fixed his sleeve again.

"Why the show and tell?" He asked. "I don't even know you."

"Because it's invisible," Connor replied. Jeremy's eyes narrowed. "To anyone but another hunter, or potential hunter. Find me a vampire," He said, pointing at Jeremy as he backed away towards the door. "I'll train you. Teach you how to do what I do. I'm on Hudson off Route 13. Don't show up unless you find one." When Connor was already opening the door, Klaus immediately walked away using his vampire speed. He then saw Connor turn and headed out of the school, Klaus watched him with an intent stare.

He couldn't seem to accept the fact that Elizabeth's suspicions were right. But since he was here, he thought that he should finally get to take care of it.

"Do remind me why you wanted me to drive you here?"

Elizabeth looked away from the school where students were currently bustling around, chit-chatting leisurely with their friends, and looked at him with a smile. She had asked Damon to go with her here, just for fun, even though the real reason was because little Gilbert had called and gave her a heads up. Of course she heard Stefan's call last night with Damon, while she was taking her warm bubble bath. It wasn't like she was too far away that she wouldn't be able to hear. And since then, that conversation kept ringing up inside Damon's head, yet, he hasn't brought it up.

"I just need to take care of something." She casually replied. Damon's eyes were shielded with his pair of dark Ray-Ban sunglasses, and yet she could sense that his eyes were narrowed suspiciously at her. "You can stay here if you like," She looked at him again. "I won't be long." She then opened the door without waiting for his reply. And she knew that he would follow her. It was quite entertaining. He's clearly very suspicious and quite annoyed, yet she manages to manipulate him either way.

"What, you're going to treat me as if I was your driver." Damon caught up, and stood beside her. "There is no way…" Elizabeth smiled at him, and put a finger on his lips to keep them from moving.

"Shhh…" She said as she looked amusedly up at him. Damon looked back at her, his icy blue eyes was rather teasing. "I heard your conversation with Stefan." She whispered as she removed her finger from his lips. He looked down as he shrugged.

"So?" He asked, looking directly at her deep green eyes.

"If you want answers, I'll kindly give them to you." She replied and gave him a faint smile. Damon's eyes were still narrowed.

"And why should I trust you?" He asked. Elizabeth only arched her eyebrows and continued to smile.

"Do you still have to ask that?" She replied and began walking, without waiting for his reply again. They walked inside the campus, where the halls were filled with students, since they were on a break. She felt her phone vibrate in her hand, and looked, only to see that it was a text message from Jeremy that they should meet at the stoners' pit. "Do you happen to know this stoners' pit place?" Elizabeth asked Damon with a frown.

"Yup," He replied as he looked at the students everywhere. She knew that he was quite hungry, so maybe after she and Jeremy talked, she'd give him a human, just for fun.

When they arrived at the pit, there Jeremy was, sitting by the bench with these high humans and vandalized walls. He was waiting for her patiently, little did he know that she had company that he never expect she'd have. With that, Jeremy frowned, but she kept a smile on her face.

"Is this about the favor you asked?" Damon sent. Elizabeth nodded as a reply, and stood a few steps away from Jeremy, who was now standing up.

"I hope that this is good news." Elizabeth casually said. "What do you have?"

"He said that he looked up our family's history. And that he talked to me because the tattoo can only be seen by another hunter or potential hunter." Jeremy replied. He was definitely uneasy, but he managed to look directly at Elizabeth's eyes. She knew that he was slightly frightened, and even though she didn't really have any interest of hurting him, it was better to keep herself unpredictable. "He said that when I find a vampire, he'd train me. He's on Hudson off Route 13." Elizabeth smiled wider.

"Yes, I already know that." She replied with a nod. "Thank you, little Gilbert. You've done very well." Jeremy frowned.

"Wait, that's it?" He asked.

"Yes, love." Elizabeth said. "That will be all. You can tell your sister and her friends if it helps." She then turned, and began walking away. But then, Damon blocked her way using her vampire speed.

"That guy is a vampire hunter?" Damon asked, clearly annoyed that he didn't know this piece of information.

"Now we know that he really is." Elizabeth casually replied. "But don't worry; I'll take care of it." She then ran her hand on his cheek as she smiled. "And I do guarantee your friends' safety." Damon rolled his eyes.

"And what about Elena?" He asked. "That little stunt you pulled and made her drink from the bag? All that for this little piece of information?"

"Jeremy could see the Hunter's mark, which means he is a potential hunter." She explained. "I had to use him to confirm my theories. And of course, to confirm if it is the Hunter's mark."

"You didn't answer the previous question." He firmly said as he leaned closer.

"Fine," Elizabeth breathed, and looked directly at his eyes. "If you really want to know, Elena is sired to me."

"What?" Damon asked. "She's sired to you?"

"It doesn't quite happen very often for vampires, but in my case, everyone I've turned is." She shrugged.

"So you wanted her to drink from the vein on purpose, because you knew she wouldn't and that she would suffer?" He asked, getting angry now.

"No," Elizabeth replied, shaking her head. "Every vampire has to drink from the vein to sustain life. And you know that. Even though she can drink from the bag now – which I did for you – she still has to drink from the vein like any vampire should." Damon shook his head in disapproval, definitely infuriated. He began backing away as if he couldn't seem to be with her, but quickly, Elizabeth blocked his way. "Don't you dare…" She threatened; her voice was low and even. The students were all making their way to class, so they nobody noticed them except Jeremy who she managed to see, standing there to witness all of this even though he couldn't hear them. "Don't you dare put this all on me as if I'm the only one who has done terrible things! It's too late for you to have morals, Damon!" He glared at her. They held their glares for a couple of seconds, before Damon finally looked away.

"You're right," He mumbled. "I'm not better than you are. I'm just like you, a lonely old vampire whose damned for eternity." He then looked at her. Elizabeth couldn't even seem to breathe. She was too angry to even worry about breathing. Her eyes stung, and she knew that tears were soon to come welling up inside them. So she blinked her eyes as she continued to glare at him, then using her vampire speed, she ran away.

Elijah knew that this was his moment.

As they heard the door close and Klaus' footsteps, Rebekah immediately attacked him by driving a stake through his back. And when he heard Klaus groan in pain, Elijah finally struck by throwing a punch at his brother's face. "You bastard," Rebekah said as she looked down at Klaus and stood beside him. He continued to groan in pain as he removed the dagger from his back and got on his feet. But then, the door opened and some of his men came in, holding up an unconscious man. "What in the bloody hell is that?" Rebekah breathed as she glared at them.

"If you have let me explain, then you would have already known." Klaus said, still panting. Elijah narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"You got the hunter." He said. It was very obvious because before Klaus even left, he had a conversation with Elizabeth about the hunter. Also, Elijah did say that if he didn't believe him, then he should find out for himself. And so he did, as he can see.

"As a peace offering," Klaus breathed and stared at them intently. Rebekah shook her head and he only rolled his eyes. It was definitely one of his brother's antics. Nothing has changed even though centuries had already passed them.

"Your peace offering does not suffice, brother." He replied.

"I knew you would say that," Klaus said and gave them an amused smile. "That is why I'm going to let you have at it."

"Is this a trap, Nik?" Rebekah quickly shot. "Perhaps you don't remember about the Hunter's curse?"

"Oh I know very well…" He replied. "But I also know that you won't let him easily die."

"Does Elizabeth know about this?" Elijah quickly asked, and Klaus gave him a piercing look, as if by only mentioning her name made him feel furious.

"Why does she need to know?" Klaus replied, giving him a questioning look with his dark eyes. Elijah looked away in annoyance. He understood perfectly well that their relationship isn't really at its best, but it's getting old. Or perhaps he had been too far away to even notice any difference – if there were any. "As far as I'm concerned, I'm just here to make her and that hunter's life miserable. With that, he exited the room, leaving only Elijah and Rebekah.

"What are we waiting for, Elijah?" Rebekah broke the ice. "We have a hunter to torment." She smiled deviously before turning away. But Elijah was quite bothered with Klaus' last statement. What did he exactly mean when he said that? It took him a couple of seconds before he finally followed Rebekah.

Stefan had looked through tons of archives already, but he hasn't found what they were supposed to find. It was very frustrating, but the truth was, he didn't know what he was looking for. All he knows is that he has to find something, some sort of a weapon that can be used to kill the Originals, like wood from the white oak, etc. But there isn't any luck. Elena too, had brought her ancestor's journals to look through, and she only sighed for the third time.

"Nothing," She shook her head. "I don't have any idea too, what we are looking for."

"Me neither," Stefan sighed. He then sat down and placed this book on his lap. He opened it and began browsing through. His eyes were skimming, finding words that would actually strike his interest, but for now nothing. Several pages were flipped, and soon enough he saw something.

"Maybe we should have a break," Elena said. "We've been at this since last night." But Stefan was too distracted to even listen to her.

"I found something," He said.

"What?" She asked, and immediately stood up and sat beside him. "What is it?"

"The Wickery Bridge was made of White Oak."