"You will search for the moonstone all over the mansion. Look for hidden spots and locked areas. Do not get caught. If you do, you know nothing. When you locate it, you will contact me immediately," Elijah compelled the Lockwood housekeeper.
Since Elijah could not enter the house, he set the servants to search for the priceless relic that had sealed the curse long ago. He knew if he got the moonstone first then Niklaus could not complete the ritual, nor create his army of hybrids. He had started working with the Mystic Falls group out of desperation. He never intended to kill Niklaus, but he needed to know where his siblings were.
Every time Klaus staked Rebekah, Elijah had mixed feelings. Yes, she had terrible taste in men. How does one even have a relationship as an immortal? Even other vampires could end up dead. But would a bad relationship be the end of the world? And everything with Marcellus...That was water over the proverbial bridge now. They hadn't been back to New Orleans since. Maybe it was time?
And Kol? Elijah felt like he could be dangerous and reckless. At times, he only wanted their attention, but with Mikael hunting them, they couldn't always give it. Plus, his antics often caused them to have to move to avoid the attention.
Finn? Dull, old Finn. He hated every second of being a blood drinker. His endless sermons and lecturing...
No, they could keep him in the box for a few more centuries. But the others, Elijah needed them back. The only way he could get them was through Niklaus. But where was his hybrid brother drumming up trouble and mayhem? In time, he would reveal himself. Elijah just had to be patient. He might have to tear a few pages out of his paranoid brothers playbook to beat him at this own game.
For once, Tyler woke up first. He rolled over and felt a slight twinge and warmth where Klaus had expressed his displeasure over their little argument.
"Hey," Jeremy said looking over at him.
"Hey, how you feeling?" Tyler asked, wondering if Jeremy was sore.
"Ah, pretty good actually," he replied sitting up.
"I know. Me, too. How come last night I felt like I was getting branded alive and now I'm pretty much fine?" Tyler wondered.
Jeremy laughed, "I think he went easy on us."
Tyler nodded,"He must have. I don't know why, though, if I had a kid who broke a brand new tv..."
"Who's side are you on? Don't go giving him ideas," Jeremy chuckled.
"Oh, I'm not. I mean, when I knocked my mom over, my uncle, ah..." Tyler started cautiously.
"What?" Jeremy asked.
"Used his belt on me," Tyler admitted, remembering how he did not take it in a mature fashion in any way.
"Oh damn, that sounds bad," Jeremy said with a chill down his spine. He couldn't imagine.
"Yeah, it was bad and I'm telling you, he was also going easy on me, too. I think I need to start watching my ass a little better. I'm sorry about last night, man," Tyler started.
"Me, too," Jeremy added. "It just happened so fast. We probably should clean our rooms after breakfast."
"Do a good job on your filthy pit, I'm going to be in there a lot watching tv!" Tyler joked.
"Hell, no. You are not watching Girls Gone Wild or whatever the fuck you watch in my bed," Jeremy insisted.
"Come on, man. It's a quality show. The girls have a lot to offer," Tyler swore.
"Hey, speaking of, do you think Dad is, like, with Nicole?" Jeremy wondered.
"Oh yeah, they are doing it. Did you see the way they look at each other when they think we're not looking? She looks like that actress...I can't remember her name," Tyler started. He then realized that they had slept in the same bed together and it didn't feel weird. Even when Matt would sleep over, one would sleep on the floor. Maybe having a brother was cool. It might get him in more trouble, but there were plusses.
Right on cue, Nicole called for them to come down to breakfast.
Klaus was at the table reading the newspaper when they came down.
"Good morning, Lads! Nicole made you French toast," Klaus said smiling at them.
"Cool," Jeremy said.
Klaus was relieved that both boys seemed fine. Nicole had reassured him that they would be, but a part of him worried they would hate him.
"And what do you have planned today?" Klaus asked, going back to his news.
Tyler shoved a piece of French toast in his mouth and said, "Cleaning our rooms to start with."
"A terrific idea. We'll see about getting you a new television today also," Klaus promised.
"No, Da-, Klaus, I don't deserve it. I should pay for a new one at the very least," Tyler said feeling guilty.
"Son, that's very mature of you. Thank you. Let's talk about it later, hmm. I have some business to take care of," Klaus said kissing both of them on the head.
"Bye," Jeremy said.
"Now behave today and I'll see you at dinner," Klaus concluded.
"Bye, Dad," Tyler said.
A few hours later, the bedrooms were cleaned and the boys were feeling restless. Nicole went out for groceries. The weight room was in the process of being painted, so they couldn't hang there.
Tyler suggested they explore a bit. The mansion was huge and had several outbuildings on the property. Klaus had not told them to stay away from any area in particular. A security company was coming tomorrow to put in cameras and key pads.
The boys found themselves exploring outside. There were woods surrounding the back of the property. Jeremy was telling Tyler what he knew about Klaus, from things Klaus told him.
"I think he's like super old, man. He said something about the 15th century when we were talking about art. When I first came, he said if I wanted he would turn me when I was 30," Jeremy shared.
"That's cool. I just don't think I ever want to drink blood though. I mean, living forever is awesome, but the blood part. Nope, not for me," Tyler admitted.
"I actually already drank blood. It's how I ended up here. My old girlfriend Anna was a vamp. She gave me blood to turn me and I tried to kill myself with pills," Jeremy confessed.
"Jeremy, are you fucking kidding? Why would you do that?" Tyler said stopping -stunned.
"You know the night your dad died? Well, Anna died in that same thing," Jeremy said quietly.
"So first your parents, then Vicky, then Anna? I mean, that sucks, but don't ever try that again. Dude, what would your sister think?" Tyler scolded.
"I know, man. I was out of it. That's the state Klaus found me in. Stefan was yelling at me about it, but I was planning to just end it again that night. The pain and emptiness were too much," Jeremy shared.
"Damn, I didn't know any of this. I was such a dick to you, especially about Vicky," Tyler said shaking his head and thinking about all the times he tried to fight Jeremy.
"Yeah, but all of that is over now. I guess we're almost like brothers or something," Jeremy smiled.
"Yep, and brothers fight!" Tyler yelped tackling Jeremy to the ground.
"Oh, damn, get off me, man," Jeremy said brushing leaves out of his hair.
"Wait, what is this?" Tyler said noticing a hidden metal door about two yards across.
"It looks like a door or something," Jeremy said. "Maybe there is a lever or something to open it."
"Probably nothing, but what if there is a hidden treasure under there?" Tyler mused.
"Hand me that stick and I'll see if I can pry it open," Jeremy said indicating a tree branch.
"I'll help," Tyler said starting to wedge the stick on the side.
With some effort, the boys managed to pry the metal door open and slide it over.
"It's a staircase! Hidden lair?" Jeremy asked aloud.
"This is awesome. Klaus is going to be very impressed we found this," Tyler said in awe, stepping down in the coolness.
Jeremey followed his down. There was a door at the bottom of the stair that they opened carefully. It was pitch black inside.
Jeremy used his cell phone light to illuminate a short concrete hallway.
"What the fuck?" Tyler said, gasping.
"Here's a light switch," Jeremy said turning on all the switches. Fluorescent lights came on from above and another panel slid open.
"This is getting weird," Tyler said, now nervous. He smelled something, a mustiness or dead leaf smell.
"Come on, there's more," Jeremy said.
Jeremy stepped inside the next open panel. It was some kind of control room. There were buttons and lights everywhere.
"Dude, what the fuck? I'm not sure we should be here," Jeremy gasped.
"You think? I find it hard to believe that Klaus doesn't know about this. What is this place? A bunker or something?" Tyler agreed.
Jeremy hit a square button on the wall.
"Jeremy, don't!" Tyler yelled, but it was too late.
Another panel slid over and Jeremy walked through.
The room was furnished like a tomb. There were niches for candles and paintings. Statues and large paintings were stacked against the wall. Several chests were pushed against the wall. There was a red velvet carpet on the stone floor. And there were six coffins lined up in a neat row.
Tyler followed him and whispered, "Coffins! Fucking coffins? This is the treasure?"
"They look old," Jeremy muttered, looking at the carving and elaborate gold work on one.
Tyler went to open the coffin on the end.
"It's empty," he said simply.
"Help me open this trunk," Jeremy said.
Tyler helped him push it open and both boys gasped.
It was filled with precious metals and jewels. There were chalices, daggers, coins, gold bullion, crosses, necklaces, boxes, and even a crown.
Jeremy couldn't help but drag his arms through the riches. The jewels sparkled and the gold and silver glimmered. A beautiful ruby ring caught his eye, his sister would love this, Jeremy thought.
"Dude, we need to get out of here," Tyler said in a worried voice. "I think this is Klaus' treasure or something."
"Yeah, we'll just tell him it was an accident," Jeremy surmised.
"An accident? Are you out of your mind? What if he kills us? Dude, let's forget we were every here!" Tyler exclaimed.
"Kill us? He's not going to kill us for an accident," Jeremy assured him.
"An accident? We pried the fucking door open," Tyler yelled, grabbing Jeremy's arms.
"Okay, let's go," Jeremy agreed, following Tyler.
They backtracked and turned off all the lights. The tricky part was dragging the metal trap door back. They bent it when they pried it open. They covered it with dirt and leaves and put sticks over the gaps where they couldn't close it anymore.
Nicole was starting on dinner when the boys got back. They looked disheveled and sweaty.
"Mon dieu, where were you two? Jeremy, you have leaves in your hair. You are all sweaty! Were you fighting in the forrest? Go take baths!" she said forcefully.
"Nah, we're okay. Is dinner almost ready?" Jeremy said turning around to open the fridge.
Nicole grabbed her sturdy wooden spoon and swatted his thigh twice.
"Ouch. Damn, Nicole, that hurt," Tyler whined rubbing the spot she whacked.
"Get a water and both of you go wash now before I show you what a real spanking is. I'm not a soft touch like your father," Nicole warned, wielding the spoon menacingly.
"Okay, okay. Sorry, we'll going," Tyler said, dragging a pouting Jeremy upstair.
"That stung!" Jeremy moaned.
"We're gonna get worse if we don't shower and act normal," Tyler fretted, knitting his brow.
A part of him wanted to confess to Klaus, but a part of him wanted to go back and explore more. He had known Klaus was a vampire, but seeing the coffins made it real. Did he sleep in them? Turn people in them? There was more in that room to discover.
The boys washed and got ready for dinner.
The doorbell rang as Nicole was putting the roast into the oven. She glanced at the security camera screen, but it was blank. She knew Klaus was expecting a few deliveries.
A man in a blue uniform was at door obscured with a huge box. She opened the door.
"Mon dieu, that is big," she breathed.
"Yes, ma'am, can you sign?" the delivery man asked politely.
"Oui, ah, bring it in over here," Nicole said wondering what it was. Maybe Klaus did order Tyler a new television. She had told Klaus that he shouldn't reward bad behavior like that. Those boys were spoiled enough already.
"What?" the man said.
"I said come in and put the box over here," Nicole repeated.
"Will do. Sign here," the man said after placing the box where she indicated.
"Have a good day," the man said tipping his blue baseball cap at her.
"You, too," she said absentmindedly.
Elijah smiled to himself as he walked out the door. He had been invited in, it was a matter of time before he would be dealing with his little brother.
The newly formed family had a nice dinner together. Klaus asked Nicole to join them at the table. She seemed uncomfortable doing that at first, but Klaus assured her that they would all help clean up from now on. It was clear the boys needed to learn some responsibility. If it wasn't for Elijah, he would have have spoiled Marcel rotten. It was always Elijah who insisted that the boy learn to do things on his own, like take care of his horse.
Lost in his memories, Klaus realized that Nicole was speaking to him.
"Sorry, Love, what was that?" he said cutting his meat.
"I said that there was a delivery today. A big one. It's near the front entrance," Nicole pointed with her fork.
Klaus had come up through the garage and hadn't noticed.
"That's odd. I'm not sure what that might be. Thank you, Cher," Klaus said smiling at the dark beauty in front of him. He could feel her power, unlike his brother Kol, he didn't fancy witches in particular. But this one was different. She had no coven and was devoted to him only.
"Boys, did you behave yourselves today as I had asked?" Klaus smiled, taking a bite of the tender roast.
"Yes, Sir," Jeremy answered, glancing at Tyler.
Tyler kicked Jeremy under the table. Jeremy looked terrified.
"Yes, we explored the woods and took a walk. How many acres is out there?" Tyler asked feigning innocence.
"I think 50 or so," Klaus said looking closely at Jeremy. Was he sweating?
"The weight room should be ready to use in the next few days. I have also hired a trainer for you two to keep fit. Tyler, your mother mentioned that you will have football coming up," Klaus mentioned.
"Ah, yeah, there is summer conditioning. I should get the schedule soon. A trainer sounds great," Tyler smiled.
"Jeremy, son, are you alright? You look a bit peaked," Klaus inquired. The boys were acting shady. Klaus could hear their heart beats and they seemed fast to him. They were nervous about something.
"I'm fine," he answered quickly. He had no clue was peaked meant, but he was trying to act normal.
"Are you sure there isn't anything you boys want to tell me?" Klaus asked.
"No, nothing comes to mind," Tyler cut in as Jeremy opened his mouth.
"Let's help Nicole clean up and then we can watch a movie together. Sound good?" Klaus asked as the others nodded.
Klaus strolled to the foyer and opened the large box. It was a statue of a gargoyle spitting out water.
"Nicole," Klaus called, walking back to the kitchen, "did you order a fountain? A gargoyle?"
"Moi? No, of course not. Did you order and forget? You've had a lot on your mind," Nicole asked rubbing his arm worriedly.
"Perhaps. It's just..." Klaus started, then paused.
"What, my dear Master?" Nicole teased.
"It reminded me of my brother," Klaus finished.
Elijah always made fun of his fascination with the gargoyles on Notre Dame when they were in Paris. Klaus would spend hours sketching them from every angle. It was silly, but he'd always jest, "Brother, stop drawing all these self-portraits."
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