Chapter 46 – Dark Side
"Without further ado, Miss Jaycee Rose Carlson," Klaus smirked gesturing towards me.
I could feel my body freeze up for a moment when Klaus introduced me. I had no idea what I was going to sing. The band was waiting on me, everyone was staring at me. I turned away from them and towards the band who were watching me. I closed my eyes briefly trying to gather my courage quickly.
"You can do this, Jaycee," I could hear him saying to me. I missed him. Elijah. I missed him so much. My eye snapped open and I walked to the band telling them the key and they nodded. I listened as the first few soft notes were played sounding like a lullaby. My back to the audience.
"Ohhh" I stared off softly. As soon as the drums started playing I turned and started singing.
"There's a place
That I know
It's not pretty there and few have ever gone
If I show it to you now
Will it make you run away
Or will you stay even if it hurts
Even if I try to push you out will you return
And remind me who I really am
Please remind me who I really am."
I grabbed the microphone as the beat really started going. I looked out to the crowd walking to the beat across the stage as I belted out the chorus. It was easy to connect with the music when it related to your situation so deeply.
"Everybody's got a dark side
Do you love me
Can you love mine
Nobody's a picture perfect
But were worth it
You know that were worth it"
As I walked across the stage I could see Stefan standing near Klaus. Both were watching closely and I couldn't help but lock eyes with Stefan.
"Will you love me
Even with my dark side
Like a diamond from black dust
It's hard to know I can become if you give up
So don't give up on me
Please remind me who I really am"
I looked away from Stefan as I started the chorus again. With the upbeat tempo and the people dancing and listening I had forgotten how much I really did love performing. A release from reality.
"Everybody's got a dark side
Do you love me
Can you love mine
Nobodys a picture perfect
But were worth it
You know that were worth it
Will you love me?
Even with my dark side?"
I looked around seeing if I could spot anyone else and my gaze landed on Tyler and Matt who were standing together watching.
"Don't run away, don't run away
Just tell me that you will stay
Promise that you will stay
Yeah yeah
Don't run away, don't run away
Just promise me you will stay, promise me you will stay."
That's when I noticed Damon making his way along the edge of the crowd towards the back. He stopped just long enough to lock eyes with me as I sang.
"Will you love me?
Ohhhhh
Everybodys got a dark side
Do you love me
Can you love mine
Nobodys a picture perfect
But were worth it
You know that were worth it"
There was something there in his eyes that made my heart flutter and break all at the same time. I looked back over at Stefan who had followed my gaze. Stefan and Klaus exchanged a few words before Stefan walked away. I looked back over to where I had seen Damon only to find he wasn't there anymore.
"Will you love me
Even with my dark side
Don't run away, don't run away
Don't run away, promise you'll stay..."
I finished softly as a roar of clapping and shouting went on. I grinned before bowing and quickly walking off the stage. As I walked off I ran right into Klaus. I wasn't surprised when he grabbed my arm roughly and pulled me off to the side.
"Have you seen Rebekah?" He asked looking around before his cold gaze landing on me.
"Why would I go looking for Rebekah? She'd love nothing more than to pummel me into the ground."
"My baby sister seems to be missing. Use those witch powers of yours and find her," Klaus demanded before walking away from me.
I stood there for a moment before rolling my eyes. Finds out we're family and instantly manhandles me. That's just awesome. What else does he think will be okay to do? I shook my head before walking up towards the house where I had last seen Stefan. Maybe if I talked to him...
"Jaycee!" A familiar voice called out. I closed my eyes briefly before turning around a fake smile plastered on my face.
"Elena," I responded. As I looked closer I realized the girl I was looking at wasn't Elena.
"What were you thinking going after Klaus!" She hissed pulling me in the direction of the study.
"Why do you care...Katherine," I snapped back causing her to freeze. "Yeah not as sneaky as you think."
"I'm here as a favor to Stefan and Damon. It was too dangerous for Elena to come."
"Why?" I asked crossing my arms over my chest not believing her.
"Because Klaus is after Elena and we can't let him get his hands on her."
"Trust me, Elena is the least of Klaus's concerns...speaking of concerns where is Rebekah?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Katherine smirked before walking away from me. I rolled my eyes before heading in the opposite direction she was.
Tyler stood on the back patio as he watched the craziness going on around him. Some people he knew and others he didn't. What sincerely surprised him was when Cee got on stage and sang her heart out. She looked beautiful up there and he was proud to say he was her cousin. She shook his head as thoughts turned to his mom and how proud she'd be of Cee.
"My mom would seriously freak if she saw all these people here," Tyler said as Klaus appeared next to him.
"Your mother won't be a problem: I compelled her to go to church and pray for your friends," Klaus smirked.
Tyler looked at Klaus his eyes wide, "What are you talking about?"
"I want you to look around. There is Bonnie, there is Elena and Matt and there's your pretty little girlfriend Caroline. We can't forget your beautiful cousin over there," Klaus told Tyler pointing to each individual as he pointed them out. "Epic dance was wrecked tonight and who came through with the party? You did. What a pal. But who are all these other people here?"
Tyler looked around realizing he didn't know more than half of these people. A confused look crossed his face as he said, "I have no idea. I've never seen half these people in my life."
"That's because I've invited a few dozen friends of my own. That`s my friend Mindy- picked her up along the way in Kansas. Did you know that there's an entire bloodline of werewolves in the heartland? That's Tony from North Dakota and let's not forget the Seattle contingent."
"Are those people all hybrids?" Tyler asked looking at all the people Klaus had pointed out.
"And they also love a good party. And they're like you were sired by me; they wish to serve their master. So if anyone should so much as make a move against me, they may feel obligated to retaliate. Not to mention your cousin is leaning towards my cause. You're free to warn your friends."
Klaus smirked leaving Tyler standing there gaping after him. There was nothing more amusing than telling someone the person they care about is changing. Klaus knew Jaycee had a sense of familial obligation and now that she realized they were family…Klaus knew she would help protect him. Speaking of protecting people he noticed Elena standing near the entrance to the back. He walked up to her a smirk on his face.
"Where`s your date?"
"Getting me a drink," she responded. Klaus lifted his drink to her but she shook her head and turned away from him.
"Well, seems I have you to thank for Mikael`s demise."
"He came at me. I didn`t have a choice," she responded in a snappy tone.
"Still I´m impressed. It`s not easy for a human to dagger an Original."
"It wasn`t the first time."
"Right. Elijah. You seem nervous," Klaus said noting how she seemed to be fidgeting.
"I´m not nervous. I just don`t like you," Elena snapped at him. "What did you do to Jaycee?"
"She came to me of her own free will," Klaus smirked. "Speaking of free will, let's get straight to the point then, shall I, love? People have been after me for 1,000 years. And I am always one step ahead. So whatever it is you`re thinking of trying, go for it, give it your best shot. You won`t succeed."
"It won't be for lack of trying. And how long do you really think you can keep Jace on your side?" Elena responded.
"Ah you'd be smart to tell Damon to mind his manners tonight, because if I die, I've already ensured that he'll die along with me! Even in death my hybrids have their orders. So, you kill me you're killing him too. I'm sure Jace will go down in the crossfire. If not I have special plans for her."
I walked through the party a cup of beer in my hand. I sipped in gingerly wanting to be as sober as possible in case anything happened. I could feel different pairs of eyes on me as I walked through the party, most of them Klaus's hybrids. He told them to keep an eye on me but this was a bit extreme. I turned the corner and saw Klaus playing beer pong with some poor kid. I shook my head and turned to walk away when I bumped into someone almost spilling my drink.
"Seriously!" I snapped. I looked up and my gaze met a pair of crystal blues. "Da-"
I was cut off by his hand covering my mouth. I nodded before he put his fingers to his lips in a 'shh' motion. My eyes widened slightly when I noticed what was in his hand. I shook my head quickly pointing to the stake. That must have been the stake that could kill Klaus.
"What are you doing?" I hissed softly.
"I'm finishing this," Damon responded softly peeking around the corner. Just then masses of people started moving out of the house. I looked up at Damon confused and he just nodded like it was all part of a plan…A plan! That's why Katherine's here pretending to be Elena! They're gonna try and kill Klaus tonight which means…
"Hello, Niklaus," a stern voice broke the new silence of the house. Klaus must have been standing at the front door with Mikael.
"Hello, Mikael. Why don`t you come in? Oh, that`s right. I forgot you can`t," Klaus responded bitterly.
"Or you can come outside if you want," Mikael responded. I looked back at Damon who nodded and kept a firm grip on my arm. I listened for a moment longer before tearing my arm away from Damon.
"Or I could watch my hybrids tear you limb from limb."
"They can`t kill me."
"True," I said as I walked into their line of vision. Mikael narrowed his eyes at me while Klaus smirked before turning back to his father. "But I just might."
"It`ll make a hell of a party game," Klaus spoke smirking as I came to a stop next to him.
"Why don't you turn around and stop pretending like you can actually kill either of us," I responded glaring at the Original. Klaus nodded before looking at Mikael.
"All I have to do is rub these two fingers together and my hybrids will pounce."
Mikael smirked shaking his head at us. "The big bad wolf. You haven`t changed. Still hiding behind your playthings like a coward. How you sway the witch is a mystery, but you only forget. Those hybrids may be sired by you, but they`re still part vampire. And they can be compelled by me."
I glanced up at Klaus and noticed the confused look on his face when one of his hybrids entered our line of vision. With her was Katherine…or what everyone thought was Elena. I took a step forward towards Katherine knowing she didn't deserve this, but Klaus put an arm in front of me stopping me. Katherine stood there a scared look on her face whether it was real or not I had no clue.
"Come out and face me, Nikaus. Or she dies."
"No," I snapped glancing between the two. Klaus looked briefly at me before looking at Mikael.
"Go ahead. Kill her."
"No, Klaus please. He`ll do it!" Katherine begged. I stared at Katherine who was shaking her head furiously acting like Elena.
"If she dies, this lot will be last of your abominations," Mikael threatened.
"You really think I don't have a backup plan?" Klaus snapped the emotion coming over his face. The anger and the sadness at the thought of losing hybrids. He was a good actor. "I don`t need them. I just need to be rid of you."
"To what end, Niklaus? So you can live forever, with no one at your side? Nobody cares about you anymore, boy!" Mikael snapped. I looked over at Klaus as his jaw tightened. This was really affecting him. The tears gathered in his eyes threatening to fall. "What do you have other than those whose loyalty you forced? No one. No one."
"He has me," I snapped without thinking. Katherine looked at me her eyes wide almost in betrayal. Klaus glanced at me before looking at Mikael shaking his head.
"I`m calling your bluff, father. Kill her," Klaus growled.
"Come outside and face me, you little coward. And I won`t have to," Mikael snapped.
"My whole life you've underestimated me," Klaus stated tensely as the first tear fell down his face. "If you kill her you lose your leverage. So go ahead. Go on. Kill her. Come on, old man. Kill her. Kill her!"
I looked from Klaus to Mikael as Mikael began laughing. He was really getting a kick out of Klaus's pain. I know Klaus isn't the best person on the planet, but he doesn't deserve all the hatred Mikael was giving him. No wonder Klaus was emotionally damaged it was because he has had to deal with this all his life. It must have been from the realization that Klaus wasn't Mikael's real son so Mikael naturally was always really hard on Klaus.
"Your impulse, Niklaus. It has and will forever be the one thing that keeps you from truly being great."
I watched in horror as Katherine gasped in pain her back arching as Mikael made a thrusting motion with his hand. I stood there shell shocked as Katherine fell to the ground. I wasn't sure why it affected me so much to see Katherine fall like that. Maybe because everyone else thought it was Elena.
In that brief moment after Katherine fell to the ground I felt someone behind me. I turned to my left just as Klaus was spun around. It took me a moment to realize that Klaus was screaming in pain and Damon was standing in front of him the stake shoved into Klaus's stomach. Damon then took Klaus and threw him on the floor all while Klaus was still screaming.
"Damon, no!" I yelled just as Mikael realized that he had stabbed Katherine and not Elena.
I could feel the power rushing through my body as I extended my hand out towards Damon. The next thing I knew Damon was flying across the room away from Klaus. My arm began to sting causing me to gasp as my hand went to my arm. I looked down and noticed the blood slowly dripping down my arm. The blood was coming from the black marks as they etched their way through my skin further down my arm.
"What in the hell do you think you're doing!" Damon snapped jumping up and going towards Klaus again. I quickly put myself between them stopping him while Klaus continued to scream in pain.
"I can't let you kill him, Damon."
"I'll deal with you later!" Damon growled as he grabbed my arm and tossed me to the side. I hit the ground hard as Damon stalked towards Klaus. I locked gazes with Klaus and saw the tears rolling down his face as he looked back at me.
There was a loud explosion somewhere outside that caused me to jump. I looked back over to where Klaus was and noticed Damon was about to finish him off when Stefan came barreling into the room and knocked his brother to the ground pinning him there. Damon just as shocked as I was that Stefan had saved Klaus. Klaus took the opportunity to pull the stake out of his stomach before at vampire speed flying at Mikael and stabbing him straight in the heart with the stake before standing up again.
"What are you doing?!" Damon yelled at Stefan as Stefan held him down. "What the hell did you do?"
I looked over as Stefan slowly climbed off of a very pissed off Damon. I could feel the blood dripping down my arm as a hand was held out in front of me. I looked up and saw Klaus staring down at me a look of gratitude on his face. I grabbed his hand and he pulled me up.
"He`s earned his freedom," Klaus answered for Stefan. I looked between Klaus and Stefan confused before Klaus stepped in front of Stefan compelling him. "Thank you my friend. You no longer have to do as I say. You`re free."
Stefan flinched as he took a deep breath. I watched my heart fluttering at the sight of Stefan being free from Klaus's compulsion. Stefan slowly turned around to find Damon but Damon was already gone. Stefan then turned his gaze to me. There was something in his eyes an emotion he was trying to fight, but some was slipping through. Klaus smiled glancing between us before turning and leaving the room only after patting my shoulder first.
"Stefan," I whispered. I quickly walked forward and wrapped my arms around his neck pulling him close into a hug. I was relieved when he wrapped his arms around me for a moment squeezing gentle before pushing me away.
"You're safer without me," he responded coldly before walking out the front door and past Mikael's burning body.
I watched after Stefan shaking my head as the first few tears finally made their way down my face.
Stefan shook his head as he walked away from the Lockwood house. He refused to let her get under his skin like that and turn him weak again. He could let that happen anymore. He pushed down the feeling as he walked towards a familiar car and climbed into the passenger's seat. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't get her face out of his mind.
"He doesn't know where it all went wrong..." Katherine said breaking the silence as she got off her cell phone.
"He doesn't need to know."
They had been driving for a while before Katherine finally pulled over. "Are you good from here? I need to put about a million miles between myself and Klaus as soon as possible. Stefan?"
"How did you know that I would stop Damon?" Stefan asked after a moment.
"I didn't. I was just hoping that you would want to...Plus I wasn't expecting Jace to be on Team Klaus either."
"You wanted Klaus dead for 500 years. Why would you risk all that just to save Damon's life?" Stefan asked trying to pull his thoughts off Jaycee.
"I wasn't just trying to save Damon's life, Stefan. I was trying to save yours. Your humanity. Let's just say I liked the "old you" better. Besides my best friend is under the influence of Klaus and you're the only one that can help her," Katherine muttered looking away briefly before looking back at Stefan.
"Nah. Come on, Katherine. You don't care about anybody but yourself. You never have."
"You and I both know that that is not true. I loved you; I've loved Damon, too. I've watched over Jace for years. I love her too. Humanity is a vampire's greatest weakness... No matter how easy it is to turn it off- it just keeps trying to fight its way back in. Sometimes I let it," Katherine responded truthfully.
"I can't let it all back in. I don't want to. Not after everything I've done," Stefan responded shaking his head thinking about everything he had done to Jace.
"Of course you don't want to. But if you don't let yourself feel, you won't be able to do what I need you to do next," Katherine responded leaning closer.
"What`s that?"
"Get mad."
I walked up to the Salvatore house still in my dress from the party. I needed to talk to Elena and Damon before things got blown out of proportion. They needed to know why I protected Klaus and why I fought to keep him alive…Hell did I even know?
As I walked into the manor I could hear Damon yelling and the shatter of glass. I jumped even though I wasn't in the room. I glanced down at my arm where the marks were clearly visible on them. I shook my head before I heard Elena's voice say something about letting Stefan go. I could feel the anger make its way through my body down to my bones before I gained up the courage to go in there.
"She's right," I said as I walked in. I watched as Elena took a step away from Damon as the two turned their gazes to me. "We have to let him go. We can't keep fighting for someone who…" I stopped looking down. "…who can't be saved."
"Says the girl who's turned to Klaus," Damon responded glaring at me.
"You have no idea what's going on," I responded feeling my blood begin to boil.
"Please, explain to us, Jace, why you are all of a sudden protecting Klaus when all along you've wanted him dead! I just can't seem to wrap my mind around it!"
"Damon," Elena warned looking between the two of us.
"Oh that's right, Damon. You who kill first and ask question later," I snapped. "Well news flash Klaus means more alive than dead right now!" I yelled back.
"Jay, please," Elena said softly trying to mediate.
"We were so close! This all could have been over but you go and stab us in the back and save Klaus's life!"
"That's because we're FAMILY!" I yelled.
As I screamed that there was a loud whining noise before all the light bulbs in the room blew up and shattered leaving only the light from the fire place. Suddenly the glass in the room began cracking and breaking. My breathing was heavy and I could just feel the anger rolling out in waves as Elena glanced around scared and Damon confused. Elena's eyes landed on me before she raced towards me and grabbed my hand. I didn't realize I had been shaking but as I yanked my hand away from Elena she was sent soaring across the room and into a decorative table.
"Jaycee, stop it!" Damon shouted as he appeared in front of me grabbing both of my arms and shaking me. "Jace!"
I looked into his blue eyes and I couldn't help but feel even angrier. I kept thinking about Stefan and Klaus and my parents. The anger kept building and building until I saw Damon fall to his knees a look of pain spreading across his face. He grabbed his head tightly crying out in pain.
"Jaycee!" Elena called out as she stood up. She quickly walked up to me and looked me straight into my eyes. "This isn't you. Whatever it is that's controlling you, you can fight it. You're stronger than this. I know you're stronger than this."
I looked into her brown eyes and I saw nothing but compassion and fear. I could feel the anger slowly start to ebb away as the sheer pain started to take over. I looked down at my arm noticing there were more black marks and blood. They had etched themselves further into my skin. I started shaking before I felt the tears in my eyes. Elena got blurry for a moment as I gave into the tears and the heartbreak I was feeling. My knees grew weak and before I knew it Elena grabbed a hold of me and eased me slowly to the floor as I sobbed into her shoulder.
"He's gone, Elena. Stefan's gone," I cried as she held onto me tightly.
"I'll always be here for you," Elena said softly running her fingers through my hair. Through the tears I looked over to see Damon staring at me a regretful look on his face. The tears blurred my vision some more before I buried my face in Elena's shoulder.
"How's she doing?" Damon asked as he walked into Stefan's bedroom.
Elena turned to look at him for a moment before pulling the covers over Jaycee who was sleeping. Elena glanced at the sleeping girl before grabbing Damon's arm and gently pulling him right outside the room. She sighed before crossing her arms over her chest glancing back in before looking at Damon.
"She's really broken up about Stefan," Elena shook her head. "There are these…marks on her arm. I don't know what they are, but I think they had something to do with what happened tonight."
"She gonna be okay?" Damon asked a worried look crossing his face as he glanced in the room.
Elena smiled slightly seeing the concern on his face even though she could feel the jealousy inside. "She'll be fine. She just needs someone there who can show her it's gonna be fine. But I'll double check with Bonnie about the marks and see if she may know anything about them."
"Thanks, Elena," Damon responded even though his eyes were on Jaycee's sleeping form.
"Don't stand here and ogle for too long," Elena smiled before squeezing Damon's arm. She walked past him and down the stairs.
Damon stood outside the door and listened until he heard the front door close. He took a deep breath before walking into Stefan's room and gazed down at the sleeping beauty. She looked peaceful for once just laying there her hair fanned around her. Even though he couldn't see her green eye he knew she was still just as beautiful. Damon reached down and gently pulled the covered back. He placed one arm under her neck and the other under her knees before lifting her out of the bed. He held her close to his body as he effortlessly carried her out of the room and down into his own bedroom. He laid her down gently in his own bed before pulling the covers over her. He noticed the black marks making their way down her arm and shook his head.
"I'll never leave you Jace. I'll always be there to protect you," Damon whispered softly before pressing a light kiss to her forehead.
Stefan stood there in the basement of the witch's house the coffins displayed in front of him. Elijah was in one, two unidentified Originals in the others, and then there was the last one. It was sealed tight. He had done everything in his power to break it open only it wouldn't budge making him more anxious to get it open. It had to be sealed by magic, but he wasn't set on that theory yet.
Stefan closed his eyes briefly knowing all he had to do was call Jace and she's be down here in a heartbeat to help him. He couldn't do it though. He couldn't keep his emotions, his humanity down when he saw her, he just wanted to take her into his arms and never let go. But she was in Klaus's pocket now and that just made him mad. He shook his head pulling out his cell phone a newfound anger coursing through his veins.
"Stefan! Miss me already?" Klaus's irritating voice came through the speaker.
"I'm just calling to thank you for my freedom," Stefan replied keeping his voice calm and even."
"Oh, I like to believe I'm a man of my word, more or less," Klaus responded meaning it as an insult.
"Thing is, it came at too high of a price. You took everything from me, Klaus."
"Let bygones be bygones, trust me. Resentment gets old."
"You know what never gets old? Revenge," Stefan responded the amusement showing on his face knowing Klaus would realize his family was gone.
"No," Klaus hissed through the phone.
"What's the matter, Klaus? Missing something?" Stefan asked as he leaned against one of the caskets.
"What are you doing?"
"Just enjoying my freedom," Stefan shrugged.
"I will kill you and everyone you've ever met!" Klaus growled through the phone.
"You do that- and you will never see your family again. I wonder Klaus, as someone who has been one step ahead for a thousand years- are you prepared for this?"
Elena has her sweetheart moments...But I hope you guys liked this chapter! Please please please review! I would love to hear your thoughts! A special shout out to halos! She was my 300th review! WHOO! Another note: voting is now closed if you would like to see the results they are now on my page! Thank you to everyone who voted!
