Chapter Five
Missteps
Zakynthos, Greece
May 2010
Riko d'Ebanne moved with both caution and curiosity as the whisperings of Traveler ancestors lulled her deeper into the cave. If she could find a way to connect to them, they could help her locate Silas' body. The blue flames tickling her hand illuminated a wall covered in ancient runes. She gasped at the intricate markings that revealed the history of a people. She lifted her hand closer to study the runes etched into the rough walls. She did quick calculations in her head when she saw numbers – the markings she was looking at dated back 2000 years. Her gaze slid to the right, translating as fast as she could.
Qetsiyah declaring her love for Silas, and him asking for her hand.
Silas asking her to create an Elixir of Immortality so they could be together forever.
Plans for a marriage.
A betrayal – Silas abandoning Qetsiyah on the day they were to be wed and stealing the Elixir.
Qetsiyah discovering he had stolen it to take it with his true love, her human handmaiden Amara.
Silas and Amara drinking the Elixir together, then their brief moments of passion.
Qetsiyah finding them and killing Amara.
Silas-
"It's tragic, isn't it?" a dark voice drawled from behind Mariko. She whipped around.
The figure who'd spoken was cloaked in shadow, yet she could feel the wrath vibrating through him. She raised her hand to see his face.
"Ah, I think not, witch," he said.
Her blue fire dimmed to a dull glow. To her shock and horror, she realized he was somehow manipulating her magic.
"You're extremely powerful…Mariko Kurosawa, but this is my ancestral home. And I am much older than you," he asserted.
"Silas?" she gasped. In the minimal lighting, she could barely make out his shape.
"In the flesh," he drawled.
"How? Who awoke you?"
"I think I'll be asking the questions. Why are you here?"
It was an out-of-body experience. In the recesses of her mind, Mariko knew herself. But her mouth moved of its own accord. She wanted to scream – she tried to scream – but it was folly. He was too powerful. He was compelling her without eye contact, simply by using his mind. She felt him probing through her thoughts and memories.
"My adopted family are the oldest and most powerful immortals in the world," she found her voice saying. "Or so we thought. I came here to research the Traveler clan so I could learn more about Silas. We seek his tomb-"
"To destroy the Cure," he finished for her, already seeing the thought in her head. "Wow! Your brain is a thrilling place, Mariko! Wish we had more time together, but you're a fighter; I can only hold you down so long."
As he said it, she broke through his compulsion, telepathically clawing through the disorienting fog of his magic. The force of her own magic shoved him against the wall.
Suddenly, thoughts and images poured through her mind.
Chasing a brunette girl through a field, her laughter making him ache.
The feel of warm lips against his in a clandestine meeting.
Pure, unadulterated rage as he stared at Qetsiyah's arrogant, triumphant face.
There was a loud bang, and it took Mariko a moment to realize it was the sound of her own head slamming into the rock wall. Blood seeped down her face, and then his clammy hands were on her forehead.
"I came here to see if my old coven left any clues about the Anchor, but you, Mariko Kurosawa, will prove to be far more valuable."
He muttered something in Ancient Greek, and she understood it was some sort of deciphering spell.
"They call you the Undying Witch?" he asked. "Let's test that theory, shall we? How long can you last in here without any food or water?"
"Fuck...you," she mumbled.
His laugh echoed off the walls. "You have spirit, little witch. I'm going to have a blast impersonating you, that's for certain."
"They'll know…"
"I think not. I'm a master of deceit. Sleep now, Mariko. You'll need all your strength."
The darkness took over.
Mystic Falls, Virginia
June 2010
Niklaus Mikaelson opened his eyes to a vision he'd never tire of. His wife was sleeping beside him, her cream-and-roses flesh bare in the morning sunlight. She was lying on her stomach, the white sheets barely covering the top of her backside. Her blond locks were gathered in a messy bun, exposing her graceful neck.
He traced his finger along her spine; her skin was like velvet. Smiling, he bent down to graze his nose along her neck and down her shoulder. She shuddered slightly but did not stir. He ran his hand down her back again, this time sliding underneath the sheet and palming her backside. As he massaged between her thighs, he heard her heartbeat change.
"Good morning, sweetheart," he whispered into her ear.
She sighed as he touched her folds. A few moments later, she turned slightly to the side to look up at him. Still stroking the apex of her thighs, he pinched her hardening nipple.
"It is a good morning," she breathed, snuggling closer and grabbing his bicep.
He could tell she was nearly there, but right as he started to exert more pressure on her nub, she squirmed away from him.
"My turn," she teased as she sat on his thighs. She smirked up at him with blown-out pupils before licking the saltiness off the tip of his cock.
He fell back against the pillows with a groan. Her powerful tongue stroked him up and down. When she took him in her mouth, his eyes rolled into the back of his head.
"Caroline," he hissed.
She hummed around him, sucking and licking.
His hot seed pulsated into her mouth as he came. She swallowed his cum then slid off of him with a pop. Her fangs descended. She bit into his thigh to drink from his femoral artery, immediately prolonging his orgasm.
Once she'd had her fill of his blood, she sat up on her knees and stared at him. Blood dripped from her parted lips down her chest; her pale skin was flush from physical exertion.
He hardened again just watching her breathe. He pounced. As his fangs latched onto her left breast, her neck bent back in ecstasy.
"Nnnniklaussss," she moaned.
With one hand supporting her back and the other positioning himself, he lowered her to the bed and entered her wet folds. His curls rubbed against her nub, making her inner walls vibrate.
He kept his pace languid. When he finally stopped drinking from her, his darkened eyes met her blackened ones. He kissed her feverishly, blood mixing with blood. She thrust up to meet him. They thrashed into the sheets, limbs twisting together and skin slapping against skin.
"Come for me, sweetheart," he crooned into her ear, nipping the lobe gently.
She let go. As her body clenched around his cock, another orgasm began to rip through him. All he could smell, feel, and hear was Caroline. She was everywhere; she was everything.
White spots appeared in his vision as waves of pleasure overtook him.
Elijah found Caroline and Niklaus sprawled across Liz's cozy living room. His brother was studying blueprints on the couch. Ever since realizing Caroline intended to stay in Virginia at least another year, Niklaus had taken over management of building a property in town. The plans for a house had quickly been nixed for a lavish mansion – it was a very Niklaus move.
His sister-in-law was sitting on the floor between Klaus' knees, her back against the couch, her laptop on the coffee table, and her phone wedged against her shoulder.
"I'm starting to get nervous about Mariko," she was saying into the phone. "We spoke when she got to Greece, but then nothing. That was two weeks ago."
"Give it a month before you start freaking out – you know how she gets when she's working on a project. Hopefully, she's finding out important information about the Travelers," a soft voice said through the line. Elijah recognized it as Gita's, a long-time ally.
"You're right, you're right," said Caroline. "How are Pacari's students?"
"They're fine. We've spread out his classes evenly."
Klaus raised his eyebrows at Elijah as he leaned against the doorjamb. "Yes, brother?"
"I'd like a word. With both of you."
Caroline glanced up at him as she continued talking to Gita. "I'd been planning on recruiting this summer, but I can't leave Mystic Falls right now. Can you check with the usuals, see if anyone can help out? Without Iki, we have no one in the field."
"Consider it done."
"Thanks, Gita. I gotta go; talk later."
"Bye."
Caroline hung up and placed the phone on the coffee table. Elijah wanted to ask after Des Cendres, wondering why it seemed like Gita was running it and not Abambe. But now was not the time.
"Are you expecting anyone home soon?" he asked.
She shook her head. "No. Liz is working and Bekah's in town. Why?"
Sheriff Forbes had been extremely accommodating, considering the number of vampires living in her home had gone up from one to three. That number had been five until a few days ago, when Elijah had leased an apartment and Pacari had taken up residence at the Boarding House. The Original suspected Liz found his siblings charming and fascinating. He also suspected she was a little lonely.
He stepped into the room. "Good. We need to discuss what Alexander told us yesterday."
His brother set down the blueprints. "About his sword?"
"Clearly, it needs to be retrieved," said Elijah. "You and Rebekah have those pictures of the Hunter's Mark. We can use the sword to interpret them."
"Retrieved by whom, brother?" Niklaus drawled.
"Myself."
He did not miss the meaningful glance passed between the couple.
"Isn't that a task for Bekah? She's the one who buried him," Caroline reasoned as she closed her laptop.
Elijah frowned. "She can tell me where to go. As long as I have the approximate location, I'll find it. Rebekah has just returned from a long, tiring journey in Africa; I don't want to ask her to leave so soon again. Besides..."
"Pacari is here," she finished for him with a smirk.
He sighed. "I know I have been lacking as of late, but I wish to make amends. Rebekah deserves happiness. I don't want her digging up the grave of an ex-lover – you saw her expression when Alexander spoke to her."
"He was messing with her," Niklaus snapped.
"Perhaps," Elijah said dubiously. "Regardless, I believe it would be healthier for her to remain here. Last night, Pacari told me about the incident with Mikael. I understand her anger, but I also empathize with him. To not do so would be hypocritical."
"She's not still mad at him," Caroline explained. "She just doesn't know how to act around him anymore."
"The more time they spend together, the faster they'll resolve their issues," Elijah predicted.
"And fall back in love?" Niklaus asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Don't be obtuse, Nik; they never fell out of love," Caroline scolded lightly.
He rolled his eyes and pulled her up from the floor until she was nestled against his chest. He kissed her hair. "Far be it me to doubt a love story."
Elijah watched as the pair stared at each other like lovesick teenagers. They'd outlasted every other couple he'd ever known and overcome countless obstacles along the way. He had been a fool to think Niklaus would even consider desiccating Caroline. He cleared his throat.
"I should be the one to go. Caroline, you have a life here. The two of you have only just reunited. Bekah and Pacari can continue researching Silas; they are both far more knowledgeable on the subject than myself. I'd be playing catch-up when I could be putting my talents to better use in Italy."
"I guess," Caroline hesitated. "But I'm nervous this is an excuse to run away from us again."
"I am not running. I want to help where I am best suited," he insisted.
"Do you? Or are your motives of a more nefarious nature?" Klaus drawled.
Elijah bristled. "Meaning?"
Klaus leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees, steepling his fingers together as he observed his older brother. "Meaning, a few weeks ago, you were planning to take me down. You believed I had left Bekah to rot and desiccated my own wife. None of us had seen you in decades. Who's to say we can trust you?"
Caroline bit her lip. There was an awkward silence.
"It's not as though I need your permission, brother," Elijah deliberated.
"Well, then, by all means – ask Bekah where she buried Alexander. I'm sure she'll tell you, no bloody questions asked," Klaus quipped.
Elijah frowned, then slid his hand into his suit pocket and pulled out a small object. "I took this from Katerina when I locked her in the crypt. She was going to offer it to you as part of her grand scheme to help you break the Hybrid Curse and win her freedom," he explained, holding out his fist and opening it to reveal a milky, oval stone.
Klaus' eyes widened in shock. "Is that-?"
"The moonstone. I offer it as a sign of my faith in you, brother, and my unyielding loyalty to our family," Elijah vowed.
Klaus jumped to his feet and crossed the room, staring down at the stone. "To have it in my possession…" he whispered. He picked it up with a small smile gracing his features.
"I apologize for the bad blood between us, Niklaus, but you cannot deny we are both at fault. Your egomaniacal behavior and repetitive daggering of Rebekah drove me away. However, I take full responsibility for ignoring the family for decades and believing Katerina's lies," Elijah apologized. "I'm better than that."
Niklaus' eyes narrowed. "And?"
Elijah bowed his head in Caroline's direction. "Forgive me for involving you in the dispute between my brother and me. I should have at least contacted you to let you know I was alright."
Caroline rose and embraced him wordlessly. When she pulled away, the brothers stared at each other.
"Brother?" Elijah said after a beat.
Niklaus stuck out his hand, and before Caroline could blink, the two men were hugging. She smiled.
"I'll ask Rebekah where she buried Alexander tonight," announced Elijah once they pulled apart.
"About Bekah," Niklaus said with a smirk, tossing the moonstone into the air, "a little wager might be amusing."
Elijah raised an eyebrow. "On?"
"Her inevitable reconciliation with Pacari."
Elijah grinned. "Excellent; name your bet."
Caroline crossed her arms. "Seriously?"
"Seriously," her husband repeated. "My prediction is as follows: they will declare their undying love for each other by the end of the summer. I'll wager…my first edition of Dracula."
Elijah scoffed. "They'll procrastinate until at least New Year's. You can have any vintage bottle from my venerable wine collection."
Niklaus' smirk deepened. "It's a deal."
They shook on it.
The entrance to the oldest section of the Mystic Falls Cemetery was a swinging curtain of Spanish moss that dripped from the tree branches like grey beards of wizened old men. The cloistered corner was eerie and silent and full of magic. It was as if the moss was a veil between reality and fantasy, past and present. And it was true that as soon as Rebekah laid eyes on the place, she felt as if time had no meaning there.
It was strange to be back in Mystic Falls. It was where she'd been born; both as a human and a vampire. Long-forgotten memories kept rising to the forefront of her mind. One of the first ones came back a few days after she'd arrived. She'd visited the falls and had a vivid flashback of Finn teaching her how to swim. He'd held her in the water as she'd kicked her feet, enjoying the feeling of the cool water against her skin.
When it faded, she'd wondered what would happen if they took the dagger out of Finn. It's been so long…
She'd begun seeking the memories out by visiting all her old haunts. She wasn't sure why, exactly. Perhaps to remind herself of who she'd been a thousand years before – and who she'd become.
A gentle breeze wafted through the cemetery. As it touched her, she could have sworn she heard a voice whisper in her ear – a voice full of malice.
Rebekah…
She gasped as she was suddenly hit with vertigo, swaying on the spot as her heart pounded against her ribcage. She tried to focus on the ground and breathe. Something terrible had happened in this place, long ago. The spirits remembered. What were they trying to tell her? Was she being warned?
"Rebekah?"
The Original spun around, her fangs popping out as she crouched into a defensive position.
Pacari stood a few feet away from her. His black eyes were squinted in concern, but he did not come any closer. She relaxed. As her fangs rescinded, she straightened out, massaging her heart. The dizzying sensation disappeared, and as it did, the sounds of chirping birds and rushing water from the nearby stream filled her ears.
"Are you alright?" he questioned.
"Yes, I'm fine," she muttered. "Vertigo."
"This is sacred ground," he told her. "It's been marked by an act of passion."
She frowned at him. "What act?"
He shrugged. "Dunno. The spirits are not always very forthcoming with specifics."
She rolled her eyes. "That's a bloody understatement."
He smiled, then shifted something in his hands. Herbs.
"Picking flowers?"
He walked to a nearby tree, where he'd started a small pile of plants. "The cemeteries in this town have an unusual abundance of magical herbs."
"Too much magic," she grumbled. "I didn't mean to disturb you."
He was silent for a moment as he bent down in front of a shrub with a pair of shears. "You didn't disturb me," he murmured.
She was momentarily distracted by his strong forearms as he snipped a couple stems from the shrub. He'd added another tattoo to his already full sleeves. It was just under his left elbow, a little black feather that blended seamlessly into the rest of the images. Pacari's beautiful tattoos covered most of his body. He was all russet and ink stretched over sinewy muscle – she would know better than anyone. A part of her craved to know if he had made any other additions, but she refrained from asking.
He stiffened when he felt her gaze on his back. "Did you need help with something?"
She turned away, embarrassed. "No, no. I was just leaving."
But she didn't leave. She wrapped her arms around her torso and glanced around the cemetery.
"It's weird being back," she admitted.
He looked at her over his shoulder. "How long has it been for you?"
"300 years, for me. Nik and Caroline passed through during the Civil War while hunting Katerina."
"That was when she sired the Salvatores," he said as he rose to his feet with the herbs in one fist.
"Did Nik tell you Elijah took the moonstone from her and gave it to him as a peace offering?"
His deep laugh had the same effect it'd always had on her; pleasurable shivers ran down her spine. "Yes, he did. I've been to visit her a few times."
"Have you?" she asked, trying to keep her jealousy out of her tone. "And how is she liking her crypt?"
He crossed to the plant pile and began packing the botanicals into a shoulder bag. "She's not thrilled. And with Elijah out of the country, she has to wait even longer before she's released."
"He might not let her go," she warned. "We can't trust her."
He closed the bag and sighed, facing her. "She can't do anything to us. Besides, I told her Niklaus swore off revenge. She just wants to leave."
Her eyes widened in fury. "Oh, so you've been gossiping with your old friend. Might as well tell her about Silas and the Cure – that'll inspire her."
He sent her a hurt look. "I would not betray you like that, Bekah."
She scoffed, staring determinedly over his shoulder. "Your track record begs to differ."
"If you don't want me here, I'll return to Tibet," he said. "When Nik asked me to come, he told me you were fine with me leaving the school to help here. But I know my oath to teach was indefinite. I'll go if that's what you desire."
"Don't presume to know what I desire!" she snapped. "It's been over a decade – consider your oath fulfilled. You no longer have to teach at Des Cendres."
He shifted as if to go to her but stopped himself. "I love teaching. I never considered my time at the school as punishment."
She said nothing, still staring over his shoulder.
"I messed up in the past; I kept trying to force us, when I should have given you space. I let Mikael use my fear and insecurity against me. I'm not going to make the same mistake again," he vowed. "I respect your decision to stay apart."
Her eyes finally met his in surprise. The look he was giving her burned with ardent yet tender love. It shook her to the core.
"Perhaps it's time to close some of that distance," she murmured.
His brow furrowed in confusion as she turned away.
"Walk me back to town? I need a drink," she said over her shoulder.
A moment later, he was at her side, a small smile threatening the edges of his wide mouth. They walked in silence for a few minutes. He smelt as he always did, of cade wood and cypress and musk. It was intoxicating.
"Caroline still hasn't heard from Mariko?" he questioned as they wandered through suburbia.
She chewed the inside of her cheek before answering. "No. Riko's vanished; Care's starting to get legitimately worried."
"Perhaps Elijah should go to Greece once he's done in Italy," he suggested. "He has to be close to finding the sword by now."
"I should have gone with him – I'm the one who buried Alexander," she groused. "But they all insisted I stay and research Silas. I'm sick of thinking about that stupid witch."
"Perhaps Elijah did not want you to see Alexander's remains."
"He always thinks he knows best! All my brothers are so bloody controlling."
He couldn't disagree with that. "Mariko told Caroline no one has seen a Traveler in decades. Which means they've either died out or gone underground."
"So?"
"It seems they have - or had - a very particular brand of magic. Body jumping, and trances, and mind manipulation... If the coven still exists, we need to study them so we can understand how to defeat Silas, if needed."
"All I want to know is where they hid his body. Then we'll know for certain whether or not he's been awoken, and we'll be able to move on with our lives."
He sent her a sidelong glance. "And what were you doing with your life before you and Nik went to Africa?"
Her jaw dropped. "Excuse you?"
Too late, he realized his faux pas. "I didn't mean it like that! I was genuinely curious."
They had reached the Mystic Grill but did not enter. She glared at him. "I had a bloody wonderful life in London. My flat was amazing, I had friends, and lovers, and-"
"Alright, alright," he interrupted between gritted teeth. "I wasn't implying anything; I really was just asking, Bekah."
"Ah, hit a nerve, have we?" Klaus' smug tone made them both inwardly groan.
As luck would it, he'd arrived at the Grill at the same time as them. He tossed an arm over each of their shoulders with a smirk and led them inside.
"Let's not bicker, children," he drawled. "Come on in, have a drink."
Rebekah made a sound of irritation.
Caroline was sitting at the bar chatting to the werewolf and the sandy-haired quarterback. She glanced up at her family as they approached, immediately picking up on the tension between Rebekah and Pacari.
Rebekah couldn't help noticing the way Matt's gaze lingered on her. Pacari also noticed, judging by his scowl. The petty side of her was victorious.
He ducked out of Klaus' grip. "I'll catch up with you later," he said. He turned to go, only to come to a dead halt.
Rebekah did not notice; she had approached Caroline with a glum expression.
"Bekah..." Caroline began, wrapping an arm around her oldest friend's shoulders. "You two of you can't go on like th-" She froze mid-sentence when she caught sight of the person standing in front of Pacari, her mouth falling open in shock.
A lithe-figured woman with a black, tousled bob and almond-colored skin was standing not three feet from Pacari. She wore combat boots, skinny jeans, and a soft, white tee under a black leather jacket. Her amethyst eyes flickered from Pacari to Rebekah to Klaus before settling on Caroline.
"Mariko," the Incan said, blinking at his mentor. "What an entrance."
"Bimyō," she greeted with a smirk.
Caroline stood up. "That's all you have to say after weeks of radio silence? Seriously? I've been freaking out, Iki! I didn't know what to think!"
"Calm down, Care," the Undying Witch placated.
"Mariko, what the hell happened to you? Where have you been?" the blond hybrid demanded, darting forward to grasp the witch's arms.
"I was, ah, delayed in Greece. You know me – I started to get really invested in research, and lost track of time. There were so many runes to decipher in this cave I found," Riko explained in her musical voice.
Caroline gaped at her. "Deciphering runes? Really?"
"Give her some space, Caroline," Klaus crooned, jutting in and placing a hand on Riko's shoulder affectionately. "Let's all listen to her story over a drink."
"Riko," Rebekah greeted the witch with a nod, then turned to Matt. "Could we have a table for five?"
He gazed at Mariko in curiosity before grabbing some menus and leading them into the dining room. She saw Pacari hesitate.
"Pacari."
He looked at her, his expression uncertain.
"Stay."
When Bonnie got back home, the first thing she did was head for her garden.
She'd spent the past two weeks at the Gilbert lake house. At first, it had been nice to just be with Jeremy without worrying about some supernatural dilemma.
Unfortunately, her best friend was not so lucky. The past few months for Stefan and Elena's on-again, off-again relationship had been marred by secrets, lies, and Katherine. While Katherine was no longer a physical threat, she had wedged her way between her ex-lover and doppelgänger. Now, Elena was starting to face the realities of a future with Stefan, who was immortal.
Bonnie could only sympathize, because no matter how she looked at it, the couple seemed doomed. Stefan was fascinated with all the talk about the Cure, but that was such a vague, far-off fantasy. Besides, if anyone found the Cure, it'd be the Originals, and they wanted to destroy it.
By the end of the vacation, Bonnie was more than ready to leave; being around Elena and Stefan's drama was tiring.
As she stepped into her backyard, she was met with the welcoming perfumes of rose, honeysuckle, and jasmine. A wide smile spread across her features as she ran her hand over the petals and headed to the corner where she kept the most powerful plants: witch hazel, deadly nightshade, mugwort, white sage, and vervain. The pungent odors hit her nostrils as she crouched in front of the patch to inspect the herbs.
"Bonnie!" someone yelled, making her jump.
Caroline and an Asian woman were on the other side of the fence. As she stood up and walked towards them, she noticed the newcomer's eyes were a startling shade of amethyst.
"Bonnie, this is my dear friend Riko d'Ebanne, or Mariko," Caroline introduced once she reached them. "Mariko, this is-"
"The Bennett Witch," the violet-eyed woman murmured.
Bonnie's forehead scrunched up. "Uh – Bonnie."
"Riko has just gotten back from Greece, where she was researching Silas and the Traveler clan," the blond explained. "She can assist you, Pacari, and Bekah. She's also a great mentor."
"I'd be happy to help you develop your craft, Bonnie," Riko said.
Bonnie nodded hesitantly, then froze as she realized something. "Are you – are you the witch who created Caroline's strain?"
Riko raised her eyebrows in the affirmative.
"I can't believe I'm meeting you! I've been dying to know how you managed to create a vampire-witch hybrid! How were you able to reawaken Caroline's magic?"
"The ritual involved suspending her between the living and the dead, stripping her of her vampirism, killing her, and casting an entirely new spell…" Riko began explaining eagerly, hopping over the fence.
Caroline smiled. Mariko had been acting a little strange ever since arriving in town, and when her best friend told her it was because she regretted not being out recruiting for the school, she thought connecting her with a fledgling witch could help. Judging from the enthusiastic energy emitting from both witches, her instincts had been correct.
"More!" Riko instructed.
Sweat dripped down Bonnie's face as she tried to hold the spell she was casting. The two witches were deep in a forest clearing. Riko d'Ebanne had been training Bonnie every day since they had met. She was a tough teacher, though no one could deny she was an expert in her craft. Every session with her was hard work, but the thrill of training under the powerful immortal witch more than made up for missing out on a typical summer vacation. Just three weeks with Riko had opened Bonnie's eyes to a whole new aspect of magic.
"I can't," Bonnie gasped out.
"Yes, you can. You're not trying hard enough!" Riko scolded.
The Bennett Witch struggled for a few more seconds before losing concentration. She collapsed to the ground and tried to catch her breath.
"I think you're holding yourself back from your true potential," Riko said from above her. "I achieved immorality at the age of 25 without becoming a bloodthirsty vampire. I can show you how to tap into a beautiful and freeing extension of your powers."
Bonnie frowned. "Extension? But my Grams warned me against using my magic too much-"
Riko grimaced. "Ah, some can be so unimaginative and paranoid. Do you never wonder how much more you could be doing? Aren't you frustrated with how much energy it takes to do a simple spell?"
Bonnie was silent.
"The spirits took your grandmother's life simply because she used her powers. Why should witches have to suffer so much? Magic is our birthright – we should not be punished for wielding it."
"But what would I have to do to enhance my abilities?" Bonnie asked dubiously.
Riko grinned. "There is a branch of magic called 'Expression.' You do not have to ask for some dead ancestor's assistance or permission when you use it. Expression is pure, limitless power..."
Matt threw open the backdoor to step into the alleyway behind the Mystic Grill. He tossed a bag of trash into the dumpster and slammed it shut before pulling out his phone and leaning against the brick wall. He had three hours left; then he was home free, albeit home free to his sad, empty house. A sudden angry voice at the other end of the alley startled him into dropping his phone.
"I don't care about that, just send the goddamn werewolf!" the man was shouting.
Matt paused in the middle of retrieving his phone to peer down the alley. It was Klaus, Caroline's husband. The vampire was pacing up and down furiously, his phone clutched to his ear.
It was getting hard to keep up with all the supernatural business. A couple months ago, everyone was convinced Klaus was the biggest Big Bad they'd ever face, closely followed by Elijah. But then Klaus had come to town, and Caroline somehow convinced everyone he was harmless. It was true Elijah had immediately backed down as soon as she'd interfered, and Klaus had made no moves against them. The whole family sans Caroline seemed uninterested in all of them, actually. Matt was an easygoing guy – he preferred to just go with the flow, so if his friends said there was nothing to worry about, he accepted it.
It didn't mean he had to like Klaus. The guy made his skin crawl.
"The full moon is in just a few days, Greta. I have the moonstone, I have the doppelgänger, and I have my pick of vampires. Tyler Lockwood is too well-protected by Caroline; I can't kidnap both him and the girl. I need that werewolf bitch here now!" Klaus hissed into the phone.
Matt ducked behind the dumpster and slid to the ground, his heart beating fast against his ribcage.
Klaus' voice grew louder. "Bring me the goddamn werewolf. I'll deal with my wife after the ritual is over – she'll forgive me for killing Elena Gilbert eventually. We've lived through worse. Are you going to do this, or am I going to have to threaten you?"
Matt's eyes widened. Ritual? Killing Elena?
"Good. I'm glad you've come to your senses, Greta. Tomorrow night, then, at Exit 41," Klaus said, ending the call. He strode quickly out of the alleyway, past Matt's hiding spot, and into the sun-soaked street.
Matt rose to shaky feet, already pressing speed dial as he threw open the backdoor and rushed back into the Grill.
"Bonnie? We need to talk," he croaked out as soon as his friend picked up.
It was late July when the real Mariko Kurosawa finally dragged herself through a fissure and saw sunlight for the first time in weeks. Not that she knew it yet – she had no idea how much time had passed since she'd entered the Traveler cave. She could only hope it wasn't too late, that irreparable damage could still be prevented.
She had to get to a phone. Unfortunately, she was still on the jagged spit of land in the middle of the sea. Her powers were weak, but she had to find the strength to fly ashore. The future of her family depended on it.
She glanced back at the hole she'd blasted in the wall, remembering her nasty introduction to the Immortal Witch.
After he'd knocked her out and left, she'd awoken feeling weaker than she'd ever felt in her entire existence. There was nothing she hated more than feeling weak. She did not know how long she'd been out, nor did she keep track of the days as she stumbled around the cave, desperately seeking a way out. Finally, she had attempted to connect to the spirits in the cave, figuring Silas' coven had also been Qetsiyah's – they must support anyone who sought to defeat him. At long last, she'd connected to the spirits, and they imbued her with enough energy to blast a hole in the side of the cave.
The power and control he'd exerted over her was scary enough, but he'd also revealed his plan. He'd gone to Mystic Falls – and he was masquerading as her.
She stared determinedly at the mainland. It wasn't too far. She placed her hand on the trunk of a small pine tree and sucked in a rattling breath, forcing herself to remain calm and focus.
When she pulled her hand away from the tree, the bark had gone grey and the needles were falling off. A rush of magic and adrenaline swept through her. She set her jaw, glared at the distance of nearly half a mile between the isle and the mainland, and balled her hands into fists.
Then she jumped.
Bonnie's leg wiggled restlessly as she stared at her phone. She was in her living room and waiting for Riko to arrive for their lesson, but she couldn't stop thinking about recent events. Matt had called her a few days earlier in a panic, saying he'd overheard Klaus on the phone plotting to kill Elena. She'd immediately gone to Sheriff Forbes' house to question the Original Hybrid.
He'd looked at her like she'd grown three heads, then calmly asserted that he'd been on the other side of town at the time of the accused phone call.
"I was in a meeting with my architect and contractor," he'd said. "Would you like to see the minutes?"
When Caroline arrived, she'd determined Matt must have misheard, or seen someone who looked like Klaus. Bonnie insisted Matt's word was to be trusted. She wondered if there was magic at play. Caroline had agreed because, "There is no other explanation."
But in the meantime, Matt and Jeremy were begging Elena to avoid Klaus and stay cautious.
It still didn't make any sense.
"Your thoughts are so loud, I can practically hear them from here," Riko said.
Bonnie started; she hadn't heard her teacher enter. "I don't understand what Klaus is doing."
"I've known him for centuries – I'm sure there is a reasonable explanation for everything."
"But for most of those centuries, wasn't it his life's mission to find and sacrifice the doppelgänger?"
Riko winced. "Well, yes."
Bonnie sighed.
"Come now, Bonnie. Wipe your mind of these thoughts. We have work to do," Riko said, leading the way to the backyard. "Remember, the magic is inside of you – there is no need to channel it through an object or borrow from the elements. You are stronger than you think."
With a sigh, she did as she was instructed. Riko had a way of making her troubles fade into the background. She closed her eyes in concentration and murmured the words of the spell she'd been practicing. She could feel her magic rise up.
"That's it, Bonnie," Riko encouraged from beside her. "Focus. Can you feel your power?"
"I can feel it," she responded.
"Good. Now, ignite the air. Make it combust, make it crack with energy."
"But…isn't that dangerous?" Bonnie questioned.
"I'm right here; I'll help you control it. Come on, now."
Bonnie exhaled sharply and did as she was instructed. She envisioned the explosion. Seconds later, there was a tearing sensation between her open hands, and a sound like thunder. She opened her eyes in awe when she felt heat on her face.
The air between her hands miraged, trembled, and then burst with white light. A blue-white fire hovered in the air in front of her, dancing gently. She inhaled, and it shrunk. Exhaled, and it grew. She turned to see if Riko was watching.
But she was alone. The Undying Witch had disappeared.
The flames grew larger.
Milan, Italy
Elijah observed the excavation team hard at work in the catacombs as his mind wandered to his family's fateful time here in what was lifetimes ago, back when Finn was still with them and before they had met Caroline. Before the daggers - before his siblings could harm each other. A simpler time, when their only problem was evading Mikael.
During the Renaissance a larger and more ostentatious cathedral had been built over the original structure the 1100s. Elijah had had to compel his way to the subbasement and poke around for nearly an hour before he found the ancient catacombs. He'd assembled a team of experts as quickly as possible. A few weeks later, they were yet to find Alexander's final resting place, even with Rebekah's very specific instructions. Too much time had passed – decay and rot had settled in, and the renovations to the building above had reconfigured the catacombs.
"Sigore? Signore Mikaelson?" It was the lead archaeologist.
Elijah shook his thoughts away and turned towards the middle-aged Italian.
"Si?"
"L'abbiamo trovato," the man said, offering Elijah an oblong object.
The vampire slid the sword out of the sheath and brushed his fingers over the dusty symbol on the hilt. This is it. He nodded with a grim smile.
"Abbiamo finito qui," he instructed, re-sheathing the weapon. "Avvolgetelo."
His phone rang as he strapped the sword to his side. He pulled it out of his breast pocket and frowned. It was a Greek number he didn't recognize.
"Hello?" he asked.
"Elijah. Where are you?" came a familiar, but unexpected voice through the line.
"Mariko?" he said in confusion. "I'm in Italy. Didn't they tell you I've been searching for the Hunter's sword?"
"No, they couldn't," Mariko said in a dark tone.
"What do you mean, 'couldn't?' And why are you calling from a Greek number?"
"Because I'm on a plane from Greece to Virginia as we speak. I've been trying to warn someone in Mystic Falls. But his thrall is so strong, he's able to prevent my calls from going through. I must have only reached you because you're in Italy."
"Mariko, you're not making any sense. Didn't you leave Greece weeks ago? Whose thrall?"
"Silas'. Silas is in Mystic Falls, Elijah. He's woken up, and it's worse than we imagined. I need you to warn them."
"Oh, Ka-te-rina! Come out, love; don't be shy."
Katherine Pierce would know that smug voice anywhere. On bare feet, she stumbled to the mouth of the crypt. At least she was protected from him in here.
Klaus Mikaelson stood waiting for her, his arms crossed, his smirk arrogant, and his eyes glinting wickedly. Behind him were Damon and Pacari, both their expressions grim.
"Klaus," she muttered.
Pacari tossed a blood bag across the invisible line. She barely managed to catch it – she was weak.
"Took you long enough," she grumbled at her old friend.
Pacari grimaced. "It's been an eventful couple of days, Katherine."
She gulped the bag down in seconds. Volume was restored to her dark hair and her dried skin rehydrated. She sat back against the rocky wall and eyed the trio.
"And why am I honored with the presence of three such auspicious gentlemen?"
"We need information," Damon told her.
She chuckled. "That's my trade. What would you like to know?"
"Who told you about Elena?" Damon asked.
"Ah, that'll cost you," she mumbled, rubbing her scalp as she got a head rush.
"There is an immortal witch named Silas who is 1,000 years older than the Originals - and extremely powerful. He has recently been awoken, and is wreaking havoc in town," Pacari explained.
Katherine shrugged. "Never heard of him."
Pacari squatted so he was eye-level with her. "Who helped you? Who sent you here, and told you to lie to Elijah?"
"I work alone."
"We both know that's not true."
"What's in it for me if I tell you? Elijah gonna let me out?" she asked.
Suddenly, Klaus was dangerously close to her. He crouched down and tilted his head as he observed his old enemy.
"Elijah just informed us Silas has been impersonating my favorite witch. We have reason to believe he impersonated me. Now, those are two of the most powerful creatures on the face of this planet. Whose side do you want to be on when this goes down, Katerina?"
Her lip curled. "I think I'd rather stay right here. Wait it out. Let you and Silas kill each other, so I don't have to deal with either of you."
"Smart girl. But I think you're forgetting whose lives are at stake here besides Silas' and mine," he crooned.
Her eyes flashed behind him to Damon.
"Fine," she said glumly.
"Excellent. I'll put a good word in with Elijah for you, love," he smirked.
Pacari stepped forward to hand her another blood bag. "We think whoever told you to come here is the same person who found and awakened Silas."
Katherine snatched the bag, and stretched out her toned legs leisurely. "It's possible."
A thunderous bang tore through the air.
Caroline glowered at the figure standing in the copse of evergreens. It was who she'd been searching for – and he had to know it.
It was the first time she was seeing Mariko since Elijah told them she wasn't Mariko at all but Silas. She felt sick to her stomach. She felt like an idiot and a fraud. She should have been able to tell the person camouflaged as Mariko was not her best friend. She realized she hadn't made skin-to-skin contact with her since she'd arrived. She told herself if she had, she'd have figured it out. But perhaps not – perhaps that was her arrogance talking.
Silas made Mariko's lips twist into an unnatural smile.
"Caught on, have you?"
"Mariko escaped the cave where you left her to die," the hybrid snarled.
"Ah, well she is called the Undying Witch. You know something – I think she might be slightly stronger than me. I was only able to defeat her because I had the element of surprise and was feeding off of the magic of my homeland," he confessed in a hushed tone, as if the very prospect delighted him.
"She is the greatest witch who will ever live. You do not deserve to wear her face," Caroline snapped. She raised her hands and blasted him with her magic.
He stumbled back, and for a brief moment, he was Stefan Salvatore. Then, the young vampire's features morphed into her husband's.
"What about this? Is this better, sweetheart?" he taunted.
"What do you want with us? Why are you here?" she demanded.
He became Rebekah. "Let's just say, I have plans for your family. I have a sneaking suspicion you can help me get what I want. Oh, wait! I know you can – Mariko's memories already told me everything about you, Lady d'Ebanne."
"Fuck you."
As he laughed, he transformed into herself. It was deeply unsettling.
"Caroline!"
The two Carolines turned to see a livid Bonnie Bennett approaching. Her hair was a mess, her clothes were covered in soot, and she stunk of ash.
"Bonnie, stay back!" the hybrid warned.
The Bennett Witch gasped, staring behind Caroline's shoulder.
Silas had once again transformed into Mariko.
"You!" Bonnie hissed. "I nearly burnt down my house today! How could you abandon me like that?"
"Bonnie, that's not Mariko. You've never met the real Riko d'Ebanne," Caroline tried to explain, but Bonnie's eyes were apoplectic with rage. A manic gleam entered Silas' expression.
"You've been manipulating me this entire time! I should have listened to my Grams. I never should have let you teach me Expression! Is Klaus in on this, too? Are you here to help him break the Hybrid Curse?" Bonnie demanded.
Caroline froze. "Expression? He's been teaching you Expression magic?"
Bonnie whirled on her. "Not he – she! At this point, Care, I don't even know if I can trust you!" A tree branch cracked above them, missing the young witch by inches as it fell.
"Bonnie, you need to calm down before you hurt yourself," Caroline placated.
"No! Stay away from me and my friends!" she shrieked, emitting a burst of energy that knocked Caroline and Silas to the ground.
A new voice erupted through the clearing. "SILAS!"
Riko d'Ebanne – the real Mariko – stood on the cliff above them. Her usually amethyst eyes were black with fury as she glared down at the Immortal Witch.
Silas, who still wore her face, rose to his feet, saluted her, and then vanished into thin air.
Mariko jumped down from the ledge, landing softly where he'd disappeared. She bent down to touch the ground.
"Cunning bastard," she whispered.
Bonnie's uncontrollable magic was intensified by her confusion. She sent a wave of energy at Mariko, who parried almost lazily.
"You need to calm down, witch," Mariko warned.
"Bonnie, just let us explain," Caroline tried, picking herself up from the forest floor.
"Stay away from me – both of you!" Bonnie shot another wave in Mariko's direction, but the older witch redirected it towards the sky. The resulting explosion shook the forest floor.
Caroline stood between the two witches as they circled each other. Near-invisible electric currents vibrated atop the older witch's skin, while blue flames seeped from Bonnie's fingers.
"You're a Bennett Witch," Mariko observed. "You should have known better than to let Silas manipulate you. Your aura reeks of him."
"Silas hasn't been manipulating me – you have!" Bonnie shouted.
"Both of you, stop!" Caroline commanded. "Bon, calm down. Iki, you're not helping."
They ignored her. Bonnie's flames crackled, threatening to combust.
"Bonnie!"
The young witch raised her arms.
"Care, get down!" Mariko ordered, summoning a spell.
But the hybrid did not. The witches attacked.
"ENOUGH!" In an impressive display of her power, Caroline thrust her arms out and caught both of their blasts. Swirling balls of magic hovered inches from her fingertips, casting an ethereal glow over her face.
"What the hell?"
Klaus, Pacari, and Damon had arrived. Klaus' gaze swept over the scene, taking in his wife's precarious position, Bonnie's derangement, and Mariko's tense but calm expression.
From his perch in the treetops, unseen by all below, Silas decided to take advantage of the distraction. He had been unsuccessful in subduing the Undying Witch, but if he played his cards correctly, he could cause a lot of mayhem by targeting the First Carolinian Hybrid. Weakening her would make everything so much easier.
He used his thrall to manipulate the Bennett Witch. He whispered an advanced curse in her mind, coaxing her to attack Klaus, reminding her that he was the real problem. She obeyed, repeating the curse until a red stream began to shoot towards the Original Hybrid. Predictably, Caroline jumped to protect her husband. The curse struck her head.
She immediately lost control of the dual energy masses she was wielding; her body seized as the combined forces blasted through her. She did not scream, though the pain was excruciating. Her silvery-black veins protruded in a defense mechanism and her pupils dilated.
She locked eyes with her husband. "Nik," she groaned.
"CAROLINE!" Klaus roared, whooshing to her side and catching her as she collapsed.
Silas vanished with a smirk.
Mariko ran to Caroline in a panic. Bonnie stared down at them, frozen in shock as Silas' influence disappeared, leaving her mind scrambled.
Klaus' fangs descended as Mariko approached, knowing she might be Silas. She grabbed his arm. They instantly felt the familiar spark of their connection and knew the other was not Silas. He turned his attention back to his wife, his fangs rescinding.
"Wake up, Caroline," he begged.
Pacari knelt down beside them and stared wide-eyed at Mariko. They clasped hands to make sure they were who they appeared to be.
The Incan sighed in relief as he read her aura, then gazed at his unconscious sire. "Were those curses, spells, or pure magic?"
"All three," Mariko confirmed grimly.
Klaus held his wife's body to his chest and supported her head as it lolled to the side.
"Sweetheart, wake up," he whispered.
"Nik, we have to wait for her to wake up on her own," Mariko said. "She needs to rest…all that magic…"
Klaus' eyes narrowed on Bonnie, who was still frozen in the same spot.
"This is your fault," he hissed.
As Bonnie faltered, Damon burst into action. He scooped his friend up in his arms and flashed out of the clearing.
Klaus growled after them but did not follow. He buried his face in Caroline's blond curls and forced himself to remain calm. It was what she would want.
Pacari and Mariko exchanged another worried glance; they were both thinking the same thing.
All that magic…
A/N: Bimyō is a Japanese slang word that means "questionable, or unsure," roughly. As someone who similarly says "unclear" often in general conversation, I thought this would serve the scene especially well. It's a clue: Pacari says, "Mariko" and Silas answers, "Questionable." I've rewritten this chapter over a few times because the previous introduction of Mariko (and Silas/Mariko) was confusing and convoluted. This version may take out the element of surprise for the reader, but it's better this way. I think.
There was a lot of exposition in the first two modern-day chapters, but this one really sets the plot into motion. The next few are going to be action-packed. Thanks for reading! Hope you're liking it! ~L