No spanking in this chapter.
"The Brotherhood of the Five were created by a dying witch, a descendant of Qetsiyah. Qetsiyah herself was a powerful witch who many centuries ago, made her lover immortal. He then betrayed her and for her handmaiden, Amara. Qetsiya tricked Amara into creating the Other Side for supernaturals and trapped Silas in a cave. Qetsiyah's wish was to cure and kill the first immortal, Silas. To accomplish this task, the Five get a mark on their bodies called the Hunter's Mark. That's what is on Jeremy's arm. If Jeremy were to hunt vampires, as he will be driven to do, the mark will grow into a map leading to Silas and his means of destruction. That is the Cure of Immortality itself," Klaus started.
"Yes, I've heard most of that. Have you run into them before?" Alaric wondered.
"Unfortunately, yes. After they were created in 1110, we met them and Klaus infiltrated their ranks. They daggered the rest of us, but couldn't get Klaus because the dagger didn't work on him due to his hybrid side. We thought Klaus killed them all in 1114 A.D. But then five potentials got the mark and started hunting. Klaus got the Hunter's Curse of torture and insanity for what fifty, sixty years, Brother?" Elijah continued.
"Seventy. The worst part is that they know about the white oak ash tree. The only thing which can kill us. You can see why this is so serious," Klaus continued speaking to the assembled group consisting of Alaric, Kol, Marcel, and Freya.
Elijah went on, "They have organized and raised this army, even using supernaturals to kill other supernaturals. We couldn't figure out why at first. Then, we looked deeper into the structure of this organization. We think that it is, I cannot say it."
"Allow me, Elijah. We think that Mikael, our father, may have been behind this latest attack. He is the only other one to have the power to compel other vampires. He used some company names that were villages near where we lived in the Old Country, places dear to him, and things like that," Klaus drifted looking at Freya.
"My father? I'm sorry but this is hard to take in," Freya gasped.
"Sister, I cannot imagine what this is like for you. To have just found us and then be threatened by the father who thinks you long dead of plague," Elijah proclaimed.
"What does he want?" Freya quaked in anger.
"Mostly, me dead. The bastard, the beast, the boy he hated for being weak, and he wants to destroy all vampires by destroying us," Klaus spat.
"Oh Niklaus, you know I will stand by you always and forever. I wasn't there to make the vow with you, but I make it now. Always and forever," Freya promised.
Klaus crossed over to her and kissed her cheek.
"I wish for no harm to come to any of you. Always and forever. That's why we must split up now," Klaus confessed.
Jeremy first felt the urge to hunt vampires as an itch, like an irritation. A twinge of dislike toward the undead. Then, he started seeing table legs as possible stakes that he could sharpen. Then, he thought about driving the stakes through their hearts. The feeling would come and go in waves, light as first and then in his dreams, it exploded. Jeremy didn't even want to sleep anymore, but it always came. He woke up in a sweat. One night, he woke up outside his father's door with his heart beating and the tattoo pulsing.
Matt was dreaming more and more of Vicky. She was telling him to talk to Freya about bringing her back to life. The Other Side was boring. She knew they had the power from the Ancestors to bring back one, why should it be old, boring Finn. Maybe Matt could switch the ashes and Freya and Bonnie would return Vicky to life. Matt dismissed it as a fantasy, until he saw Vicky when he was awake. He had a bad feeling about this.
"Matty, I miss you so much. I didn't deserve to die. Come on, if you switch the ashes they will never know," Vicky begged.
Matt went to hug her but he went right through her.
"Vicky, is this real? Or am I going crazy?" Matt cried.
"Matt, you passed through the veil when you died. You would have gone to peace, however, since a supernatural pulled you back...it triggered something on the Other Side. Don't talk to any others if they try to see you, just me," Vicky explained.
"Vic, it's good to see you. Let me explain to Freya. She's cool. I mean, I think there is some ancient curse with Dahlia which is why they have to bring back Finn, but maybe she can do something," Matt offered.
"No, don't tell them anything. They will say no. I was only a vampire for a few days. I have no connections here on the other side. They would never bring me over as their precious Ancestors would punish them," Vicky lamented.
"I would do anything for you, Vic. You know that, but I'm not sure I can lie and do this. It seems wrong," Matt agonized.
"How's mom? Maybe if I was back, I could help her. We could be a family again. Just the three of us. Please Matty, I love you," Vicky cooed.
"I love you, too, Vic. I'll do it," Matt assured her. His mom hadn't called or answered her phone in weeks. Even then, it was only when she begged money off of him.
Tyler walked into their bedroom.
"Man, who are you talking to?" Tyler inquired.
"No one, man. I mean, just myself," Matt said, trying to look innocent.
Freya's plan to reduce Tyler's aggression wasn't going well. His "inner wolf" as they called it, seemed determined to trigger his curse by killing someone. Freya tried many elixirs and potions on Tyler to calm him, most either moved too slowly or simply made him fall asleep. Another thing she tried was to get him to recognize the signs of his anger. The issue was that it flared up so quickly, the trigger was impossible to identify. Then, Freya attempted to punish Tyler for each incident and flush the anger and frustration out of him. Each time, he snapped, she took him to her lab and had him bend over her table. She now had a bigger, heavier oak paddle that she swatted him with. It stung even over his pants. She couldn't whack him very hard, but she tried to keep him in position until his breathing slowed or he cried it out. She was hoping to form an association between aggression and pain, but after Klaus had belted him a few weeks earlier. Freya was loathe to go too far even by a hair. It even hurt her that the boy didn't resist or fight the punishments as he was so scared to become a full werewolf.
In desperation, Freya made Tyler a talisman that he could grip if he felt like he was going to attack and possibly murder someone. It would render him unconscious, but maybe it could stop him from killing someone and triggering his curse.
"Elijah, I don't think it's working. I'm not sure Tyler should be around humans. He needs some stronger interventions. I can't get in his head to see when he's enraged to nip it in the bud," Freya moaned with her hands in her head.
"Wait, what if, with Tyler's permission, I compelled him to come and tell you when he was feeling homicidal? We can't blame the boy for not wanting to get a sleeping draught or a swat with that paddle every time he's angry. But if he only is treated when he truly needed it, maybe his aggressions will decrease? Being compelled, he would have to be honest as to his feelings, even though he might not like the consequences. We could ask him?" Elijah suggested.
"I don't like the idea of compelling him, but if this doesn't work...He can't be around Matt and Jeremy anymore. He almost punched Jeremy out this morning for not picking up his socks. Time is of the essence," Freya specified.
Kol found Matt sneaking out later that night.
"What are you up to, Matt? I thought Klaus said we're all to stay close in case the hunters come back? Mate, that's what he told me," Kol clarified.
"Yeah, Kol, while I have other shit going on. Now, move aside. You never used to be on our asses like this. You used to be cool. What got into you?" Matt crowed, pushing him and getting angry.
"Whoa, Matt, you're not going anywhere. Now, sit over here and talk to me or we're going to have a bigger problem than that daft jacket you are wearing," Kol joked, pulling Matt back in by his letterman jacket.
Matt sneered, "This jacket is awesome. Okay, fine. I'll talk but you can't tell anybody."
"Matt, I'm sorry, mate, but it doesn't work that way in this family. You should know that by now. Now spill it," Kol commanded.
Matt told Kol everything that Vicky's ghost had told him.
"Matt, I know this is hard to hear, but you have to realize that you can't bring your sister back. Dahlia unleashed a curse, that affects, not only our family, but the world if Finn isn't brought back. Plus, I hate to tell you, but it's already too late...Freya and Bonnie have already done the spell. It takes a while to complete," Kol acknowledged.
"What? It's too late. What am I going to tell Vicky? She's right here screaming at me," Matt lamented.
"Maybe you need to talk to someone about seeing ghosts? Freya, perhaps? Now, get back to bed before you get yourself in trouble," Kol cautioned.
"Thanks, Kol. I guess you saved me the nightmare of trying to dig up a grave," Matt admitted.
"Among other things," Kol pressed.
Bonnie and Freya unlinked their hands and fell back in exhaustion. The spell to bring back Finn was complete. They used earth from Norway, the land of his birth, hair they collected from the lake cabin where he lived before Ester took him, and the blood of his blood, Freya, to bind the spell. All of the objects were placed in the coffin where his other siblings had kept him boxed for around 900 years, Freya was not sure what would materialize. No one they knew of had ever had the power for this spell. They had communicated with Seraphina a few times since the attack. She cautioned them to do the spell now while a rare comet and the Perseid meteor shower crossed the skies above their heads at the same time.
Now, they waited.
A few days later, Klaus and Elijah gathered the family.
"First of all, I want to thank everyone for all you have done this past week from Elijah and myself. Kol and Marcel, you have stepped up in ways that have shown me you are capable of the great things we envisioned from you. Rebekah, without you, we would be savages residing in squalor and dressed in rags. The repairs look stunning. To our friends, Bonnie and Alaric, we can never repay your service to this family, but I shall try. In the envelope, you will find a small token of our appreciation. Freya, I curse the many, many years we were cheated of your company. You are not only a wonderful eldest sister, you are a friend.
Boys, I know this will come as a shock, but so much of what we have done and do is to protect you. Our family came to this land a thousand years ago in search of safety and prosperity. We found that for a time, but life is never predictable.
We will need to split up until we have hunted down our father Mikael and his rogue corporation of hunters. Elijah and I will be traveling first to Norway to find out what is going on. Rebekah and Marcel will take care of our business interests in New Orleans and secure the quarter. A war has broken out between the Crescent Moon wolves and the other factions. Kol and Freya will stay here at the house.
Jeremy, until we find a cure or remedy for you as a hunter, you must stay away from vampires. Alaric will move back in with you to your family home to train you and keep you safe. Jenna has already been informed.
Matt, we need to keep you away from Tyler, whose curse is in danger of being triggered. However, you should be safe with Jeremy and Alaric.
Tyler, since you can be a danger to humans, but not vampires, will reside with Freya and Kol. Tyler is compelled to report any sparks of aggression that may trigger him now. Tyler, we are all behind you and support you in what you are going through also. This difficult time will soon be over and we can then celebrate our time together," Klaus finished.
Elijah interjected, "This is a lot. However, we promise that by Thanksgiving, we will all be together again. We must eliminate this hunter threat from Mikael and the Mark of the Five from Jeremy. Jeremy, you were born a potential hunter. We may never know how or why. It may have something to do with your ancestors being vampire hunters, like the infamous Jonathan Gilbert, but it is not your fault. I know that wherever any of you are, you will be well-taken care of. Please know that we will be will you all, if not in person, in our hearts, always and forever."
With that, Elijah walked out of the room and Klaus followed.
"I'm not sure I can do this," Klaus lamented.
"We must. Mikael is getting closer. I can feel him," Elijah swore.
"Let me go alone. He only really wants to kill me, the bastard, you could be free," Klaus cried out, pouring a strong drink.
"Brother, I haven't struck you in a long time. You know I will not leave you. If you suggest it again, the children will have to come in here and see us tussling on the floor and breaking through walls. Do you want that?" Elijah said, sipping his bourbon.
"No, Rebekah would beat us both soundly if she had to call those contractors back. She said they charged an arm and a leg. So be it. To Norway, and finding Father and killing him for good," Klaus said finishing his drink.
The rest of the family fell into stunned silence.
Rebekah and Marcel were scared and happy. For the first time, they would be trusted to live for a time alone. Marcel could be the King of New Orleans and straighten out those Crescents. Maybe he could get the witches under control again. He had heard rumors of the elders ordering a Harvest of their young witches for power. Marcel did not take to children being executed-ever. That would be on his list to stop.
Kol was surprised that he was complimented. Could he really not screw up and disappoint his big brothers for once? He was proud of himself for holding it together these last months. He especially wanted to make Freya proud. She never knew the "old" him who used to use humans as puppets for his amusement. He hoped that she never would.
Freya heard something as she brewed her nightly potions. She told Matt to ignore Vicky's ghost and she would go away, easier said than done. Freya did make him a potion to make that slightly easier to do. Jeremy was now getting calming teas and elixirs for his vampire hunting urges. And of course, Freya was dosing Tyler quite a bit to stop his urges.
They had moved Jeremy's bedroom down to the basement level for a night or two for everyone's safety. Truly, the only vampire in danger from him was Marcel, but they didn't want to take any chances.
"Freya, get in here!" she heard Jeremy scream.
Freya ran in and saw a small boyish figure covered in mud and debris.
"Jeremy, calm down. It's just Finn! A younger Finn, I supposed, but our brother just the same," Freya said going to get a towel.