This is the last chapter for now. Stay tuned for the next short story to go up I'll be posting it all at once as soon as I've finished writing and editing.
Ch. 30 A Bone Colored Moon Fills The West
(ALARIC)
I'm enjoying a rare quiet night at home alone, Jeremy and Elena were both out, so when I hear a thump upstairs, I'm instantly on alert. I hear a slight rushing, and then more noises upstairs including my dresser being opened. I grab a couple weapons and start going up the stairs as quietly as I can, of course I'm pretty sure it's a vampire upstairs and they will know I'm coming anyway.
"It's just me," a voice calls out from my room. I'm pretty sure the voice is Clare's, but I'm not sure what she'd be doing here when she should be with Klaus. I'm also not sure why she'd sneak in rather than come to the front door.
"Clare?" I question from the top of the stairs.
"Yeah, sorry, didn't mean to scare you," she apologizes running to my bedroom door and I gape a little because she's wearing a pair of my sweats and one of my t-shirts.
"You're wearing my clothes," I mumble.
"Sorry, ran out of Klaus' wearing nothing and needed clothes. Elena is too skinny, and I was fairly certain your clothes would fit over my curves better than Jeremy's," she explains.
"Why don't you come downstairs and have some coffee," I comment still a bit in shock. Mostly in shock that she ran all the way hear from Klaus' with no clothes, but also that she came here instead of home.
She moves past me and begins going downstairs, I get my phone out and text Damon that Clare is here and he may want to bring her clothes, before I follow her downstairs. I start some coffee and look at her expectantly, but she only bites her lip.
"Should I be ready with weapons? Is Klaus going to come looking for you here?" I question.
"He didn't try and hurt me or anything, I wasn't running for my life. He went behind my back and talked to Adam about why I was upset. Then told me not to be worried about it because he would take care of me. Like I'm some kind of pet, I don't want to be kept, I want to make my own way, I told Damon and Stefan the same thing. Everything is different now, I'm worried about being at Columbia alone, losing control, hurting Adam. I want to do this, and I'm determined to do it on my own, but the more I think about it the more impossible it feels. I want this experience with Adam, but will I really have the control I need by fall?"
"Maybe, if you would stop thinking that you have to do it all by yourself you wouldn't be so stressed and upset. Damon and Stefan are in a position to help you, so is Klaus, maybe you should let them," I encourage her.
"I think I need a stronger drink," she comments. I grin and take out a bottle of whiskey, pouring us both a glass. "I don't like feeling dependent or indentured to people," she huffs before sipping the whiskey.
"Damon and Stefan would never make you feel indentured to them for helping you get through school. Especially, because this is an experience you want to have, and you wish to do it now when you can share it with your best friend. I have no doubts that they would both be happy to help you in anyway they could and be happy about it. Klaus, well I can't speak for him, he may enjoy having you indebted to him. However, I'm sure you can get through the next few years with help from only Damon and Stefan."
She bites her lip looking down at her glass. I can tell she's thinking so I decide to keep going, at least I think I'm getting through to her. She's not arguing with me and seems to be truly thinking about it.
"As for feeling dependent on people we're all dependent on people, it's very hard to get through life without the help of others. You've been quite dependent on Damon and Stefan as a young vampire, learning to curb your appetites and have control. You've been dependent on the rest of us too, if not for helping train you and navigate your new abilities as a vampire then for friendship. Even if they help you in no other way you're likely to still need the help and advice of Damon and Stefan, and maybe the rest of us. You're not going to move to New York and be totally forgotten by us, and just disappear from our lives Clare. Klaus shouldn't have just called Adam, but I know you've been in a bad mood all week, ever since returning from New York with Klaus. Most of us figured it was Klaus, but I realize now it was being in New York, probably questioning if you could do it in the fall. Then returning home and having the girls talking about college next year and how excited they are, but they all have each other. They also plan to live at home, and it made doubt creep into your mind, which I understand. The mistake you're making is not doubting whether you'll be okay in New York, it's thinking you'll be alone, and not being willing to take help from those offering, and willing, and in a position to do so."
She starts rolling her lower lip between her teeth, after a moment she makes a deep sigh. "I suppose you're right; they want to help, and they are able to, refusing it is more insulting to them than anything. I've been trying to avoid it, to not have to talk about it, yet it's all I can think about, and I need to talk to them."
"Was that so hard to admit?"
"No, it's just not a talk I want to have."
"I know, but you need to. You have to at least talk to Damon and Stefan. To have a plan for the fall, not just where and how you'll live or what job you'll have but also what happens if you do lose control. Or if you feel like you can't do it, you can't go into this blind Clare and I know you know that," I tell her just as the doorbell rings. I leave her in the kitchen to think about it all while I go open the door to let Damon in.
(DAMON)
"She's still going to be angry; she's determined to do this on her own with no help," Stefan comments.
"Yes, but we all know that isn't possible, she's going to have to accept the help. We'll make her see it's for the best, force her to see it our way if we have to," Klaus remarks.
I'm about to say something when my phone buzzes I pull it from my pocket.
Alaric: Clare is here, when you come for her you may want to bring some clothes.
Damon: Thanks.
"She's at the Gilbert house, Ric says to bring her clothes" I inform them while glaring at Klaus.
"She's not over there naked, is she? I know she ran out naked, so I was sure she was coming here," Klaus comments.
"I'm sure she found clothes or Ric gave her some, Clare would not just sit around the Gilbert house naked. She doesn't even do that here when I'm home," Stefan replies.
I can't help but grin carnally as she's here with me naked all the time. I don't bother to wipe it from my face when Stefan and Klaus look at me either.
"Let's go get her then," Klaus says. He starts moving for the door, but Stefan grabs his arm stopping him.
"Let us do that, she might still be mad at you and may not be ready to hear about this arrangement. Stay here, we'll take her clothes and see how she's feeling," Stefan says. Klaus growls slightly but reluctantly agrees with a slight nod of his head.
I run up to Clare's room and grab her a dress, panties, bra, and shoes. I place them in a bag and then Stefan and I get in his car driving to the Gilbert house. We get out and ring the bell, a moment later Ric lets us in, and we follow him back to the kitchen. Clare is at the kitchen counter in what appears to be Ric's clothes, I can't help the scowl on my face when I see her in them.
"Not that you don't look good, but change," I say handing her the clothes. She takes them and goes upstairs to change, she does so at vampiric speed returning a few seconds later.
"I put your clothes in the hamper," she tells Ric.
"Thanks," he nods to her. She picks up her glass of whiskey and downs the rest of it before looking at me and Stefan.
"We know about the fight you had with Klaus; he's waiting back at our house. We've all been talking about the fall and New York. We…" I'm saying when she cuts me off.
"The three of you have been talking behind my back?! Making decisions on my behalf without even talking to me?" She says angrily. She looks like she might run again but a look from Ric has her relaxing. "We can return to your house and I'll listen to what the three of you have to say. This is my life though and ultimately I have to make the decision about my life in the fall."
"Of course," I reply and Stefan nods.
"Thanks for everything Ric," she smiles at him.
"Any time Clare," he grins back
"Whatever you did to make her calm down and listen, thank you," I tell Ric when Clare is at the door with Stefan, though she may have still heard me.
We get in the car and drive home in silence, I want to talk to her, to tell her what we came up with and she shouldn't say no. I resist though, I don't want it to turn into a fight in the car. When we get back to the house Klaus is leaning in the doorway.
"Were you naked over there," Klaus asks with his eyes in jealous slits.
Clare scowls a little and then smirks, "I borrowed some of Ric's clothes, they were quite comfortable."
We all go inside and not knowing when Clare last ate, I bring her a couple of blood bags. She begins sipping at them and I sit on one side of her, Klaus on the other and Stefan in the armchair.
"We have a solution for New York, we'll buy an apartment for us," Klaus tells her cutting right to the point.
"Who is we and what do you mean us?" Clare questions.
"Klaus and I will buy the apartment for you to stay in while in New York, for however long that is. Three rooms, enough for Adam to live there as well if you'd like him to, and if he'd like to," I explain.
"Why three rooms then? Is Eli moving in too?" She asks with a smirk. I know she asked that intentionally, knowing it would make Klaus and I angry. It works as we both growl.
"No, one of us will be living with you, you won't be able to have everyone from Mystic Falls, but myself or Damon will live there at least for a while. That way we'll be there as you're adjusting, and in case anything happens. Adam can as well, as he does know. Or the two of us could live there with you," Klaus says.
"You won't have to do this alone, and we can help, so let us help," Stefan implores her.
"It still feels a little like being kept," she says and then sighs, "but I know you're all in a position to help and I do need it. I don't have it all figured out yet and have no idea what I'd do in New York or how I'd fair on my own. So, thank you I will accept the apartment."
"I'm glad you see it our way," Klaus smiles victoriously.
"However, I'm not so sure about one of you giving up your life to go out with me. Somehow, I don't see the three of us living together for long is a good idea. I'm not sure you'd both survive that, or I wouldn't be driven crazy," she remarks, and Stefan laughs.
"We don't have to stay forever, but you're going to need help. One or both of us should live with you at least for the first few months. Adam knows everything but if you lost control, he'd have no idea how to help you. Nor could he help you get blood from a blood bank, or should the worst happen, help you clean up a body. If you feel that you don't want one or both of us there by the time you come home for Christmas then there is still room for us, any and all of us, to come and visit," I explain.
"That sounds reasonable," she says slowly and rolls her lower lip between her teeth as she thinks over things. "Damon you can't give up your life here, Stefan, Elena, Sheriff Forbes, everyone, they need you here. You'll want to be here, be close, in case anything happens," she says to me and then looks at Klaus. "But, you, I'm sure that Mystic Falls would be happier if you left and you wouldn't be leaving anything behind. It makes more sense for you to move to New York with me." She's trying to be strong, but there's a weakness in her voice, I can't tell if it's fear or sadness.
"I thought you might say that, and I'd much rather be wherever you are Lover. I never could stay away," Klaus says kissing the nape of her neck. I tense up, pulling her away from Klaus and holding her to me.
"You are right that it would be harder for me to leave Mystic Falls, but I would do it for you if you wanted me there and not Klaus," I tell her.
"Of course she wants me with her," Klaus grins smugly.
"She can speak for herself," I growl at Klaus.
"I want you there Damon," she says reaching back to stroke my cheek, "but I couldn't ask you to leave your life here for me. If something happened to Stefan or someone while you were gone you'd neve forgive yourself. It makes the most sense for Klaus to be with me, at least until I feel I can handle it on my own. I'm fairly certain Mystic Falls will thank me for it," she whispers in my ear so that only I hear her and then covers it with a kiss to my jaw. "You will come visit me won't you?"
"I will visit at every opportunity and until you leave we will spend lots of time together Lover," I assure her kissing her passionately. I hate to admit it but she is right about me needing to stay in Mystic Falls. It does make sense for Klaus to live there with her, but just because it makes sense doesn't mean I have to like it. "Every spare moment together, if Klaus is going to be living with you in the fall then you don't need to spend your weekends with him any longer."
"Yes she does, and it isn't your decision," Klaus growls.
"You two aren't going to be fighting like this until September are you?" Stefan groans.
"We aren't fighting," Klaus and I say at the same time, Stefan shakes his head while Clare giggles. Then she looks thoughtful again.
"I don't know about Adam living with us though, I'll think about it and maybe ask him. I'm sure he'd appreciate the free apartment, but living with two vampires? I'm not sure he'd want to do that or that it would be all that safe for him."
"I will agree to whatever you think is best Lover, if you do want Adam to live with us I assure you no harm will come to him," Klaus says. He takes her face in his hands and holds her to kiss her passionately. "I'm going to return home, I'll see you later Lover." Klaus kisses her again before leaving our house. We hear his car leaving a moment later.
"I think I'll go talk to Ric, be there when Elena gets home," Stefan remarks and he leaves.
Alone with Clare I pick her up and run to my bedroom with her. I take off her shoes and begin kissing my way up her legs. I move her dress and kiss along her thighs, inhaling deeply along her femoral vein and artery and the sweet scent of her blood. I lick the spot bringing her blood to the surface, biting lightly to have a taste. Clare moans when I take a sip, gripping onto my hair. I remove her panties quickly before my tongue slides into her pussy lips to taste her juices and she moans again.
My tongue dances into her pussy, lapping up the juices and tasting of her flavor. Clare moans and her hips buck, her hand grips my hair tightly. I drink her juices, suck her clit, and it isn't long before she's moaning and close to orgasm. Her juices become even sweeter and I drink every last drop and then move along her body to kiss her. She kisses me deeply, tasting her flavor on my lips. Within a couple of moments our clothes are entirely gone, I roll her to her side lifting her leg to slide into her.
She's so wet I get all the way in, she arches her back and moans deeply. I kiss her chest and neck with each deep thrust, her hands grip the back of my neck and scratch my back. When she begs me to go harder and faster I grant her request, moving as deep and as fast as I can and she soon orgasms again. I move us once more, turning and sitting up until she's mounted over me. Clare moans gripping my shoulders and leaning back. It's possibly the most beautiful sight I've ever seen, with her back arched and her breasts out, her face in a look of pure pleasure that I'm giving to her. I bring her to orgasm one last time, this time I release with her, moaning her name as I orgasm. I thrust a few more times as we ride out our release, then pull out of her lying with her in my arms.
"I will capture every moment I can with you until you leave. When you're in New York I will be out to visit at every opportunity I can, and I'm only a phone call away when you're in New York. If you call and you need me or want me I'll be there," I assure her kissing her temple.
"I know, it's going to be very hard to be without you," she comments with a yawn.
"Sleep, I'm not letting you go," I assure her tightening my arms around her.
(TYLER)
"Tyler," Caroline giggles when I kiss the back of her neck, "my mom is right in the kitchen."
"Yes, but we finished our homework and now I want to study you," I grin. It's Wednesday and I came home with Caroline, we made love as soon as we were in the door. She had some blood, I had a snack, we did homework and Sheriff Forbes came home while we were doing homework. She invited me to stay for dinner, so I called Mom and told her I was staying. "Besides, it's not as though your mom doesn't know that we have sex," I comment getting a hand up her skirt.
"That doesn't mean she wants to hear us," Caroline comments taking my hand away.
"We can be quiet," I remark.
"Past experience says we can't, come on let's go watch TV until dinners ready," she says getting off the bed and pulling at my hand.
I whine a little but follow her out to the living room, we sit on the sofa and she turns on the TV. Caroline grabs a blood bag and drinks it down quickly, she'll eat with us but the food will do little for her. Soon after she finishes the blood the doorbell rings. I call to Sheriff Forbes that I'll answer it and stand up from the sofa. Caroline follows me to the door, I can tell it's a man by the back of his head. When the door opens he turns around and I see that it's Caroline's father.
"Go away," Caroline snaps at him. He smiles at her and then grimaces at something, I see she has a drop of blood on her lip still. I move her behind me and glare at her father.
"You need to leave now," I growl at him. My wolf surfaces a little in my response to him and he looks at me with surprise, it also brings Sheriff Forbes out of the kitchen. She sees her ex-husband and gives him a piercing stare that would probably kill him if she possessed any magic.
"Leave Bill, now, I have a restraining order against you and I am within my rights to arrest you. If you don't get off my property in three seconds I may just shoot you," Sheriff Forbes warns him. Considering what he did to Caroline last time I feel like shooting him would be the best thing to do. Bill doesn't move and Caroline turns and runs to her room at vampiric speed.
"LEAVE," I growl again.
"I would listen to him Bill," Sheriff Forbes says reaching for her gun.
"I'll see you again," Bill says before he turns and walks calmly to his car.
When we're both sure he's gone I close and deadbolt the door. Then we both go back to Caroline's room, she's crying on her bed and I go over and hold her. Sheriff Forbes sits on the bed caressing her daughter's arm.
"You're father is gone," Sheriff Forbes assures her.
"What is he even doing back here?" Caroline asks between her tears.
"I don't know Honey, but I won't let him near you," her mom replies.
"We may have a problem, we should probably call the Salvatore brothers," I remark.
"I'll call, I need to check on dinner anyway," Sheriff Forbes says getting up.
"Can you bring another blood bag, I think she should eat again," I request while Caroline sobs in my arms.
Sheriff Forbes nods and gets up, going into the kitchen. A moment later I hear her on the phone, my hearing isn't good enough to hear who's on the other end of the line. Sheriff Forbes says Damon's name though so I know she's talking to him. She tells him Bill is back and we may have problem, a moment later she returns to Caroline's room with a blood bag in her hand.
"Damon's on his way," she says as Caroline takes the blood bag. Caroline drinks the blood and stays in my arms, we're silent until the doorbell rings again. Caroline tenses up, I rub her arms to soothe her. "It's probably Damon, I'll get it," Sheriff Forbes says getting up. She returns a moment later followed by Damon, Clare and Stefan.
"Why is my father back? He tried to kill me last time," Caroline sobs.
"Let's sit at the kitchen table, Tyler and I should eat. There's an excellent bottle of bourbon for the rest of you," Sheriff Forbes comments.
Stefan leads the way out of Caroline's room, she and I are the last to leave. I pull her up and keep an arm around her as we walk to the kitchen. The vampires all pour themselves a glass of bourbon while Sheriff Forbes and I make ourselves a plate.
"Bill being in town again probably isn't good, but somehow I don't think he'd come to the door and announce himself if he meant to hurt you again," Stefan comments.
"He wasn't expecting me to be here, and probably wasn't expecting her mom to be home. He may have thought that Caroline was alone and meant to grab her," I remark and Caroline stiffens up.
"He was determined to condition me last time, he thought that he could condition me to associate blood with pain," Caroline says.
"Then you would starve," Clare speaks up.
"Bill's family has hunted vampires for generations," Sheriff Forbes says.
"He hates me," Caroline sobs.
"We'll keep our eyes on him, no matter what he's in town for he won't accomplish it. Liz I'll come in the morning, we'll find out what Bill is doing in town and what his intentions are," Damon says and she nods.
"We should get home, if Bill comes back call us right away," Stefan comments.
"We will," I nod. I hear them leave and look at Sheriff Forbes, "I think I should stay the night in case Bill does come back and tries anything."
"Good idea, call your mom," she nods. She stands up taking our dishes and I call my mom.
"Are you on your way home?" Mom asks when she answers.
"Actually, I'm staying here tonight. Caroline's father came to the door tonight and after what happened she's terrified. I'm going to stay with her, be here for her and in case her father comes back. Sheriff Forbes said it was okay," I inform my mom.
"I didn't call Bill this time, I have no idea what he's doing in town," Mom tells me.
"I know Mom," I reply and hang up.
I spend all night holding Caroline, we hardly sleep, but it's a quiet night. Damon comes over early the next morning, he has a bag in his hand and says he stopped at my house and my mom packed some clothes for me. I thank him, take the bag and get ready for school. Before we leave Damon tells us to be careful and that he'll be by at lunch. Stefan and Clare are already at the school, the Gilbert's and Bonnie come a few minutes later. Everyone knows that Bill is in town and everyone is worried about it. We're all on high alert that morning, even Alaric is looking out the window a lot as he teaches homeroom. Nothing happens all morning, at lunch though we all have a text from Damon to meet in Alaric's classroom.
"Bill checked into a hotel yesterday at the same time as another man, Jefferey Stone," Damon tells us when we're all gathered in the classroom.
"I know that name, those that taught me spoke his name with reverence," Ric says.
"Yes, a well known vampire hunter, but last I heard he was in Europe. It's not coincidence that he's in the states now and at the same time as Bill Forbes. I've never seen Stone personally but he's dangerous. I know he's got several witches working for him, helping him find vampires and werewolf packs. Not to mention keeping him from aging, he's approaching 90," Damon tells us. All of this makes me feel worse, pretty sure we all feel worse now.
"There's only one reason I can think that two vampire hunters would be in town at the same time," Stefan comments.
"I think I'm safe, but I'll put up wards at everyone's houses after school," Bonnie says.
"Caroline will stay at my place tonight," I say tightening my arm around her.
"Thanks Tyler," she says softly.
"I'm sure my mom would let your mom stay as well. I'll call her when we're done here."
"I'll be here right after school for Clare, any sign of Bill Forbes or Stone call me right away. Come let's go eat," Damon says taking Clare's hand and they leave the room.
Caroline and Stefan go to eat as well, she'll be safe with Stefan so I call my mom. She says that Liz and Caroline are welcome to stay the night and she'll call Liz. No sign of Bill or Jefferey Stone all day, which I'm truly not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing. Clare tells us she called Klaus to warn him, everyone's heard their plan for her living in New York with Klaus in the fall. Damon has agreed to it, but he's not happy about it, we can all see that. Clare says Klaus wasn't worried and his house is already set with wards, and so he doesn't need Bonnie's help.
Bonnie spends all afternoon putting up wards at everyone's houses, she tells us when it's all done. She already has permanent wards at the Gilbert house, so didn't need to do theirs. She did her house, Caroline's and mine. She did the Salvatore house last and too drained to go home she sleeps there. Friday is also quiet, we learn from Damon and Sheriff Forbes that Bill and Jefferey Stone have been seen around town. So far they've done nothing, but we all know they aren't just in town for a visit. Saturday we're all at The Grill for it's anniversary celebration, we considered not going but it would be full of people. We also figured that it may be the event Bill and Stone were waiting for, in which case it was better to be in the eye of the storm.
When we've been there three hours and everything is quiet I decide to get Caroline alone for a bit. Nothing has happened, and she just snuck off to eat with the other vampires. Back with me I see she wants to fill her other need, and I could use a release myself. I take her hand and take her outside, around to the back of the building. We're still close, there are some people outside close by and I know the vampires will hear us if we yell. Caroline is feeling the same that I am, just as eager to burn off some energy, she grips my shirt taking it over my head while I begin to unzip her dress.
"A vampire and a slut," a disappointed voice hisses behind us stopping us cold. I turn around keeping Caroline behind me as we turn to face her father. "How could you date an abomination like a werewolf, you know he could kill you with one bite," Bill says looking at us both with disgust.
"Last time you were in town you were torturing your own daughter," I snarl at him. I wish I could turn, to let my wolf surface enough to tear bill Forbes to pieces.
"I was trying to save her," Bill spits.
"You don't care about Caroline," I growl lunging forward to attack but he shoots me with some kind of weapon and I fall back temporarily stunned.
"TYLER," Caroline screams as I hear other noises, sounds like trash being taken out. "I hate you Daddy," Caroline screams and leaps forward. I'm struggling to get up, but everything is fuzzy and it's like I'm super drunk. Before Caroline can reach her father he shoots a gun at her, it deploys a net, soaked in vervaine and she screams. He takes the net, injects her with something and he walks off, tossing her in the trunk of a car.
"Tyler, are you okay?" Matt asks running over. He must have been taking out the trash and saw it all happen.
"Get Damon and the others, hurry," I plead with him still struggling to get up, "Bill took Caroline, he might kill her."
It's a bad cliffhanger, but not the most awful one I've ever done and you had nine chapters to read. I will get more chapters up as soon as I can, but have a short story to finish and want to wok on All the Whispers of the Possible.