This chapter contains brief spanking M/m hand, references only.
Jeremy felt strange being back in his old bedroom. It was a nice room, but not remotely like anything they had at the mansion. He remembered his mom painting it blue and decorating it with him before she died. Jeremy flipped through his old books and sketchbooks remembering the past. Yet this place didn't feel like home anymore.
"Hey Jer, you need anything? I thought we would just order pizza for dinner. Sound good?" Jenna called from the door
"Yeah, great. Jenna, you sure you're okay with this? All of us here," Jeremy asked shyly. His aunt was young and now saddled with the responsibility of three teens and a live-in boy friend.
"Jeremy, this is your home. You know that. And Alaric moving in to help, might not be a bad thing. Hint. Hint," Jenna winked holding out her left hand. Jeremy thought she meant she was hoping Alaric would propose, but he wasn't quite sure. He hoped things worked out for his aunt. He certainly hadn't made things easy on her when he lived here.
Matt was right down the hallway in the old guest room. This house was full of ghosts of the past. Elena's parents were always so welcoming to him. Matt had spent a couple of nights here, once when everyone camped out in the backyard. Another time, when there was a bad storm and it was late, Dr. Gilbert had insisted Matt stay. The next day they had a big breakfast of pancakes and waffles. Matt went home that day to his mom missing, the house trashed, and Vicky hung over. The refrigerator had been empty. It was like night and day.
Matt really didn't want to get too comfortable here. He also didn't want Tyler to trigger his curse by murdering him, but Matt hoped a solution would be found soon and they could all return to the mansion.
"Hey Matt, how you holding up?" Alaric said tapping on the door frame.
"Real good, Mr. Saltz-, I mean, Alaric. It's a little weird, though," Matt admitted with a shy smile, trying not to think about how Alaric had swatted him throughly with a wooden spoon the last time he saw him. A blush crept up Matt's neck. If Alaric noticed, he didn't mention it.
"I bet. Honestly, it's weird for me, too. Living here with you guys and Jenna. Since my wife died, I've been pretty much alone," Alaric mused.
"I'm sorry. I didn't even know you were married," Matt blurted out.
"It's okay. It was a couple of years ago. I know you lost your sister, too," Alaric said stepping into the room.
"Well, I don't know if I would say lost. Ever since I came back the night of the attack, I've been seeing her ghost. She wants me to help her crossover. I wouldn't or couldn't, and now she's mad," Matt confided.
"Oh Matt, that is awful. I really never used to believe in all this supernatural crap until my late wife Isobel told me about it. I did learn that to every magical type problem, there is a solution that can be found. Well, for a price. Like you came back, but now you're haunted. Can you try to make your peace with your sister and see if you can let her go? Maybe there is something you're not seeing? Does she want something else? Just thinking aloud. Never mind, this isn't my area of expertise. Well, it's almost time for the pizza. See ya downstairs in five?" Alaric said turning to leave.
"Thanks. I'll think about it. Maybe there is something I'm missing here. I'll be down," Matt said wondering if maybe Vicky just needed closure, or was there something else? Matt ignored Vicky as she yelled at him for letting her be stuck in the Other Side.
Freya mopped the foreheads of the boys with a cloth soaked in an herbal remedy she cooked up. She had them in hospital beds and was trying to get some fluids in them. Just water and broths.
"Freya, any change?" Kol said looking concerned. He hated that Freya was holed up down here in this basement level so much. Kol knew that Dahlia said they had to bring Finn back, but why did they send Henrik. Was that Ester's doing? Both women hasn't been heard from since the night Finn was turned to ash.
"Yes, I feel like they are waking up. Henrik here only knows the old tongue. I've been trying to speak to him in modern English so he picks it up faster. Finn has been quieter. Kol, I'm not sure he wanted this. When I talk to him, he looks right through me," Freya said, her cornflower blue eyes filled with worry.
"Sister, please go take a break. Let me try," Kol said ushering the hardworking witch out the door.
The boys were both bare chested and covered with a white sheet. They looked pale and chalky. For a moment, Kol thought they looked dead, then Finn drew a breath and his chest moved.
Kol took the seat by his bedside and forced himself to reach for his hand. It felt warm. Vampires hands never did. A spark of jealously flowed through Kol thinking that Finn could be a witch again, while he never would. Yet no one should envy Finn, or his 900 years imprisoned.
"Finn, it's me, Kol. I don't know if you can hear me, mate. I just wanted to thank you for trying to save everyone before when that hag Delphine tried to destroy us and Freya..." Kol paused. The truth made him ashamed of himself.
"And I'm sorry for never coming down here to see you before. I didn't even try to talk to you or Mother. I don't know why, if I was afraid to or just too wrapped up in my own life. When you died, I felt awful, I thought we had more time. The 'forever' in always and forever, isn't always long enough I suppose. I hope that when you wake up, you will give me a chance. You have been given another chance. We denied you so many chances, keeping you in that coffin," Kol explained.
"K-kol, is that you? You seem so grown up," Finn croaked squeezing his hand.
"I am 900 years old now, Brother," Kol grinned.
"You were but 17 for 800 of those and a rather reckless one. My mind is coming back to me. My woman Sage, living in the Count de Martel's castle, running from Father...the dagger," Finn started to thrash.
"Finn, calm yourself. Those times are over. Nik doesn't use the dagger anymore. Not even on me. I swear to you," Kol said reassuring his brother.
"What does Niklaus use? Where are they? The others?" Finn quaked.
"Oh, he has methods, but nothing that horrible. Unpleasant, yes. Elijah and Nik went to find Father and end him for good. Rebekah is with Marcel in New Orleans. Freya and I are here with you, as is our youngest brother," Kol said pointing at Henrik.
"Henrik? It cannot be! That is impossible," Finn tried to sit up.
Kol grabbed him before he fell He was so weak he almost slumped back over.
Henrik stirred in his sleep and said something. Kol went over to him.
"Henrik, it is me, Kol. I know you have been gone since the 10th century. Boy, are you in for a shock. This world shall be like an alien planet to you. A world that was only lit by torches is now a world that never turns off. Rest, Little Brother, for once you awaken, you shall not want to sleep again," Kol smoothed back his hair.
Finn was again reclining, but watching this.
"You've changed," Finn announced.
"I hope, though I think I've become bloody droll. But better than walking around with a sore arse all the time," Kol mumbled noticing that Finn was now asleep.
So his eldest brother and his youngest brother looked the same age. How in hades would that work?
"Aunt Freya, did you see my...?" Tyler yelled looking for his shoes.
"Yes, Tyler, your shoes are by the door where you left them. What's going on? Where are you going?" Freya asked as Tyler frantically grabbed his stuff to head out the door.
"Just the Grill. Nothing big," Tyler replied, not looking at her.
"Did you ask Kol? I thought we were going to order in tonight," Freya inquired.
"Ah yeah, I think I mentioned it. I won't be late," Tyler said pecking her on the cheek goodbye.
Freya knew something was off, against her better judgment she let it go as it was nice to see Tyler happy and going out. He had been moping around since everyone left a few days earlier.
"Hey Car, what was so freakin' urgent? I basically just lied to Freya to get out of the house," Tyler growled to Caroline as they slid into their booth at the Grill.
"Tyler, you won't believe this, but there was a murder!" Caroline whispered loudly across the table in shock.
"Caroline, this is Mystic Falls, it's almost stranger when we go a week without a mysterious death," Tyler pointed out.
"Yes, but how many murders have occurred on your family's property? Hmm, a hiker found the body near your wolf cave, without a head!" Caroline shrieked in excitement.
"What? That's private property. No one should even be on that land. Why didn't my mom tell me? How did you find out?" Tyler shuddered.
"My mom got a call from your mom early this morning. I listened in on the extension. They are in the process of covering it up. They think it was a werewolf attack," Caroline shared glad to have finally caught his interest.
"But it's not the full moon so...Okay, you have my attention. We should look into this more. But can we order first? I'm starving," Tyler exclaimed.
"You're always starving. Fine! Eat and then we will go out there. I shouldn't have worn these shoes," Caroline admitted glancing down at her slings.
Tyler and Caroline waited until the last of the investigators left the scene. Aside from a few stray pieces of police scene tape, nothing looked disturbed.
It was dark and there was no light from anywhere except their cell phone lights until Caroline remembered that he dad gave her an emergency kit for her car. That was after she had been the one who stumbled on Vicky Donovan's dead body.
"It looks like this is where it happened," Tyler said looking at a small cleared off space about twenty feet from the cave.
"Where would someone decapitate someone here? Like what it is about this place? Do you think they checked the caves?" Caroline wondered looking at the entrance to the wolf cave.
"You know, not far from here is the site of the old estate that burnt down a long time ago. My father brought me here once when I was little. He got distracted and I ran off and found this cellar. I was just able to go down this staircase when he caught me. He was so pissed because I was like covered in dirt. Well, that's what I thought he was pissed about, maybe there was something down there?" Tyler breathed.
"You know, your dad was always so sweet to me. I know you say he had a temper, but I never saw that part of him," Caroline claimed.
"No offense, Car. But he liked you, your parents were important. I don't want to talk bad about him, but if he didn't think someone was a voter or an upstanding citizen, forget it. I don't want to be like that," Tyler admitted.
"Ty, you have changed. I mean it. I guess what I'm trying to say is, it's hot," Caroline giggled.
"Caroline, are you flirting with me? Let me see," Tyler stopped and grabbed her flashlight and tried to shine it in her face.
"Stop! You ass, you're going to break it," Caroline laughed as she swatted his hands away.
"Come here," Tyler pulled her closer and stopped to see if she was interested. He saw desire in her eyes.
Tyler kissed Caroline softly as first, then more passionately. The flashlight feel to the ground and he moved his hand to pull her even closer.
Breathing heavily, Caroline whispered, "Tyler, stop. I'm sorry. Let's get back to work."
"What? Car, you are such a tease. This isn't the first time you have done this," Tyler thundered.
"I'm sorry. Let's just focus. Something bad is going on here and our mothers need our help to figure it out," Caroline lectured him sternly.
Tyler felt his heart accelerate. He remembered his dream from last night. In this dream, he wasn't a wolf entirely, but half-man, half-wolf. He had hunted and sated himself on a circle of witches chanting in a circle. It had seemed so real, it was so satisfying. He wanted to taste blood, to rip flesh. No! He had to get to the cellar quickly.
"Tyler, what's wrong? You are scaring me!" Caroline yelled.
Tyler dropped his cell phone and ran towards the cellar stairs about 100 yards ago. He found them quickly and ran down the stone lined steps. There was an old, dusty room marked with claw marks. Chains were mounted onto the walls. Tyler felt bloodlust. He wanted to kill. He started sweating. He prayed Caroline wouldn't find him. It was so dark, yet he could somehow see.
"Tyler, oh my god, this is so creepy. Talk to me, I know you are down here," Caroline begged.
Tyler was ready to pounce until he remembered the talisman. He squeezed it and passed into a dreamless fog.
Tyler woke up in his own bed in the dark. He took a gulp of a bottle of water near his bed and sat up.
"You're awake," Kol said softly.
"Uncle Kol! What happened?" Tyler squeaked.
"What happened is that lovely Caroline called us on your mobile to come get your sorry arse. The lass was rightly so terrified. That cellar is a real horror show," Kol finished, switching on the light.
"Did Caroline tell you about the body?" Tyler prodded.
"Aye, she did. I just don't see what you two were stomping around the woods at night investigating. We didn't even know where the hell you were. I ended up calling Elijah in Norway. He told me how to track you phone. Then, Caroline called before we had to figure it out. You know, Freya was so worried, she was crying?" Kol prompted, his eyes burning.
"Oh my god, why? I told her that we were going to the Grill!" Tyler said getting out of bed. He realized that he was in a t-shirt and basketball shorts.
"You're clothes were covered in dirt and brambles. And you don't tell us where you are going, you ask for permission first. We know what you did. playing mum off of dad," Kol snapped.
Tyler looked at him and realized that Kol was angry.
"I'm sorry. Thank you for coming to get me," Tyler said in a much softer tone.
"Hey, we're just glad you are okay. Caroline said you ran into that cellar at top speed. She said you seemed enraged. Tyler, lad, I need to know what happened," Kol pressed.
"We were kissing and she stopped me. She's such a fucking dick tease. I hate it!" Tyler shouted suddenly, trying to pick up the lamp and smash it.
Kol vamped over and stopped him.
"Stop it, right now, or-" Kol began.
"Or what?" Tyler roared.
Kol sighed and yanked down Tyler's shorts to reveal his fitted white cotton underwear. Kol pulled Tyler tightly to him and holding him upright firmly smacked his behind energetically for a minute. The force was enough to bring Tyler up to his toes and shock him out of his tantrum.
"Are you done?" Kol asked not releasing him.
"Yeah," Tyler retorted as his hands went to protect his backside.
"Move your hands," Kol warned sternly. Tyler whined and did so.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
"Try again!" Kol asked.
Smack! Smack! Smack!
"I'm sorry. Yes, sir, I'm calm," Tyler promised.
"Good, now let's try this again. Next time your behind will be bared," Kol said calmly, releasing Tyler whose hands were now rubbing his sore cheeks.
"Sorry," Tyler repeated, trying to calm himself after the brief, but stinging spanking that set his behind ablaze.
"So you're kissing, and she stops. Then, you run off to this cellar? Why?" Kol asked confused.
"I was afraid I would snap. I needed to be alone and I had dreamt of hunting again last night. I knew if I didn't get to the cellar, I would kill Caroline. Uncle Kol, I wanted to kill the girl I'm in love with," Tyler lamented, his head in his hands.
"But you didn't, Tyler. You had no business fooling around in the woods, but using the talisman and running saved you from triggering your curse. We'll talk about this later. Now come on, Freya had her heart set on Thai food tonight. She only had it once before. Then, we can watch the game, just you and me," Kol said pulling him by the arm.
"Okay," Tyler said casually. Was he off the hook?
"Oh, by the way, you're grounded for the next week. No leaving the compound. You might as well give me that phone, too," Kol said holding out his hand.
Tyler groaned and whined, "I'd rather just get my butt beat. This is torture."
Kol laughed,"Oh, I didn't say you're not in for a walloping, lad. Freya's gonna give you a good tongue lashing and god knows what else. Oh, and your Uncle Elijah wants you to call him tomorrow...First thing in the morn."
Tyler groaned as they went down to get dinner.