Rebekah warily switched her glance from Caroline to Niklaus. Both almost seemed ready to pounce on each other with one wrong move. She rolled her eyes," What are you two playing at?"
Niklaus snapped his head towards Rebekah and growled, not pleased with her tone. But Caroline was keeping him distracted with her presence. He kept silent, a war waging inside of him if he should let Caroline be mixed up in all the chaos.
"Oh for goodness sake Nik, she'll find out about it anyway." Rebekah shrieked.
For once, Niklaus glanced nervously towards Caroline, more afraid for her welfare than he'd ever been before. This made Caroline even more worried. She could count on one hand the people that Niklaus had ever been wary of, and they had been more than extremely dangerous. She suddenly wondered if it was the right idea to actually be involving herself in the fiasco. But she gathered her courage, knowing she already involved herself the minute she drove outside of Mystic Falls and to him without second thought.
Pondering back to that moment, she wondered why she didn't have any second thoughts. Why didn't she? She had all the reasons to doubt him, to be suspicious of the help he will be giving. But she had relied solely on his word, and even struck a deal. Then it dawned on her, that no matter how evil and scheming other people might view him, he never treated her that way. He had tried his best to be truthful to her, to protect her. He had only lied when it concerned dangerous situations, and he had went through the effort of protecting her all throughout those times and he never took credit for it. He had never really asked much from her, except a chance. He had treated her like royalty, putting her before anything else, and she had simply cast it aside. Just because he had entered as a villain in their lives.
But they all were. In other people's perspectives, they had become a villain once in their life. But they always had someone to pull them back to humanity. She had her mom, her best friend and mentor Stefan along with her friends, Elena had all of them to hang on to. Stefan and Damon hung on to Elena. It was a twisted story, but still, they had someone. Compare it to Klaus, whose siblings had chosen to leave him at some point in eternity, how they had abandoned him more than once.
She looked at Klaus, who she knew only withheld the truth from her for the fear of her safety. "Klaus, if something is wrong, if there's any danger, I'm here to help. That's what friends are for, remember?"
She smiled at him and was glad that he had returned it and cleared his throat, starting to fill her out on all the details.
It appeared that Briggs was part, not of a clan, but obviously another kingdom. Similar to what Niklaus used to have in new Orleans back then, but the kingdom of the 'Master' Briggs was referring to was spread worldwide. It appears that they had alliances from all parts of the globe and have obviously been spying on Niklaus and Caroline for some time. Originally Niklaus was their main concern, but it had been divided since Caroline entered the picture. Even when Niklaus had left Mystic Falls, the Master's attention had somewhat partially riveted to Caroline, leaving minions to keep an eye on her. This had Caroline on alert.
"Wait, what?! Last I heard they were there to keep an eye on us. On all of us, to make sure we stay there." She gave Rebekah a questioning look.
Rebekah looked to Niklaus first then Caroline, answering her question."Apparently there was also a strict order that you had to be monitored on all hours of the day, making sure you interacted with no one besides the people from Mystic Falls."
"What else is there Bekah?" Niklaus asked, his voice low.
"They're a close knit organization. It was rather hard to get information. But I did get a lead to Seattle, Washington. Apparently, we can't ever go there because someone will give us the advantage and their plans will be spoiled. Something about Fate's cousin and Death's Unwanted. And the Master we're mentioning, is probably a warlock. Rumors are, once he has the two of you, he will be unstoppable. Although I don't know how that fits."
Niklaus only nodded and looked at Caroline, judging her state. He turned to Rebekah and motioned for her to leave the room. He heard Caroline sigh and he turned to her, watched as she let herself fall on his bed. Oh, how wonderful she looked in his bed, looking like she belonged. And she truly did.
"You alright, love?" He sat beside her.
Caroline sat up and looked at him," guess you can't leave me out of your schemes this time. I'm ultimately a part of it."
Niklaus was astonished. He was waiting for her to blame it all on him, to accuse him that she had been involved because he chose to shower her with affection. It was his interest in the first place that got the enemy riveted to Caroline. But Caroline simply accepted the fact that she was in on whatever plan. She would be staying, she would be fighting beside him for once.
He reached out to take her hand," love, you do understand that I have rather violent tendencies."
Caroline raised an eyebrow at him," I could never forget."
He flinched, it was a low blow. But Caroline's hand entwined with his and he looked to her eyes searching.
"Klaus, I know you'd go as far as you can for the one's you love. We all have. I have. I've killed almost a dozen witches for Bonnie. Although I'm still not sure to what extent you'd protect me, I know you will try your best." Caroline assured him.
Niklaus nodded his head and looked at her intensely," No love, I will do everything in my power to make sure no harm comes to you. If someone intends to lay a hand on you, it would have to be over my dead body."
She absorbed the fierceness of his words, the intensity of his voice, and his searing gaze. She felt like she was melting, his hands tracing invisible patterns at the palm of her hand and upwards her arms until it reached her shoulder. There he maintained a circular pattern, Caroline's hand in turn grazing it's way to his forearms and clutching his biceps.
Caroline laughed softly," what are we doing Klaus?"
Klaus gave her a warm smile," I don't know either love. But I'm enjoying it."
For a few minutes they stayed like that. Niklaus caressing Caroline's shoulder with his thumb and Caroline's hands went further upward, caressing his high cheekbones. It made Klaus itch to kiss her pink lips, slightly apart and ever enticing.
"Caroline," his voice husky.
"Klaus," Caroline's hand went to his hair and grabbed a fistful of it slamming Klaus down towards her, their lips meeting.
Niklaus was surprised at Caroline's aggressiveness, but was pleased nonetheless. He in turn used his right hand to cradle Caroline's head and angle her for a more deeper kiss, thrusting his tongue inside her mouth making her moan. The sound he had elicited from her made him hard, groaning in pleasure as their tongues dueled. He used his left hand to trace her spine, making her arch to him. Taking the advantage, he groped her ass and lifted it, putting Caroline in a position where she was straddling him.
Caroline now had all her fingers tangled in Klaus's hair, loving the feeling of it. She moaned as Klaus stopped the assault on her lips and began kissing her down the neck, stopping just by her collarbone and gently biting on her skin. She felt the heat pooling at her core, and at an attempt to subdue it she grinded against Klaus only making matters worse as her arousal heightened. She began grinding faster against him and pulled him from her neck, kissing him roughly.
"Caroline." Klaus's voice was strained, just as his throbbing length was inside his pants.
Niklaus gripped Caroline's thighs and pulled her harder against him, drowning in her moans as he let her feel his bulge. And knowing he couldn't keep it up, he effortlessly switched their position where Caroline was pinned under him. He saw her eyes darkening, adding to his lust as he pressed his manhood against her.
Caroline gasped at the pressure of him on her heat, she almost felt him poking even through the jeans. Her leg automatically locked itself around Klaus's waist, intensifying the throb of her core. She bit her lip, suppressing her moan when Klaus ripped her top off leaving her in her bra, as he kissed her in between her cleavage and down her torso. But he suddenly stopped. And ever so slowly he kissed his way back up, each kiss getting lighter until he reached her lips again.
"Love, we agreed to start out as friends. And as much as I want to make love to you right now, I can't. I don't want to hear you later whining about why you let it happen again, or think it was a stupid thing to do, or that you had simply let your guard down. I'm willing to wait until the time is right sweetheart." He leaned down and kissed her lovingly, ending it with a shower of light kisses all over her face it made her giggle.
"I'll take a shower and meet you downstairs, love." In an instant Niklaus was gone and Caroline heard the shower running in his bathroom. Deciding to do the same, she rose from the bed and rummaged through Klaus's dresser for one of his henleys.
"Klaus, you ruined my top," she said just loud enough for him to hear before returning to her bedroom, wearing one of Klaus's henleys.
Niklaus watched with amusement as Caroline descended the stairs, biding her time. She was obviously doing it to showcase her outfit that consisted of a skirt, heels, and the henley she had claimed to borrow from him.
"Such a pretty sight to behold," Klaus mused, offering his hand to Caroline as she went down the last step.
Rebekah only rolled her eyes as Caroline smiled and flashed away before returning with four letters sealed with wax. She gave her brother and Caroline their invitations and proceeded to open hers, leaving Elijah's invitation on one of the side tables.
They all shared knowing looks and read the invitation;
To my favorite Vampires and Hybrid
I'd like you all to come to my grand ball.
It is only befitting that such exceptional beings would grace my home.
I will be awaiting your arrival
-Master-
Caroline read the words again, her eyes lingering on the name of the would-be host. Master. It seems that whoever this 'Master' was, he knew that they had found out of his existence.
"He knows. How?" She turned to Klaus knowing it was him who last held Briggs.
"I finished him off love. No one in New Orleans knew of his existence." Klaus said defending himself. This was the first time someone doubted him of his meticulousness, or his ruthless ways for that matter.
Caroline kept her glare at him for at least a few more seconds before sighing and turning to look at Rebekah. Taking a deep breath, Caroline said the unthinkable. "Where in the world do I buy a dress for the ball? And I don't see any theme. What's the theme?!"
Niklaus almost doubled in laughter whilst Rebekah only looked at her with utter disbelief. She couldn't believe that out of all the things Caroline could worry about, she worried about her wardrobe.
"Seriously, Caroline. We are invited by the enemy, to what obviously seems like a trap and yet you think about what you should wear." Rebekah's eyes widening.
It was then that Caroline's faced began to flood with sadness and worry, Rebekah almost regretted that she said those things to Caroline. Almost. But she was determined to give her a hard time.
"Look, nothing will happen if we just sit down and worry ourselves to death. We should take action, this is just like the time that you guys invited us at your ball...or your mother's rather," Caroline stopped talking. She had been a bit insensitive recalling the night their mother had bound them to be killed.
"Caroline, we don't know who else is invited to that ball. For all we know, that place will be crawling with witches and vampires too. There would be no need to disguise identities, and any violence or death that might happen will technically be understood. And have I mentioned the fact that I've made more enemies than you can think of for the past centuries? We're not going." Niklaus stood his ground firmly, putting on a threatening mask when all he felt was fear for her safety.
"What if they do something to my friends Klaus? I have people that I love back in Mystic Falls and they've already become involved without them even knowing. That Master has been keeping tabs on us for a good while now, and you didn't even know. You don't even have an idea of you can take on this new enemy of yours. I'm not going to risk the life of my love ones just because I'm too scared to go to a damned ball!" Caroline stormed off to her room leaving Rebekah to deal with a grim faced brother.
Niklaus was pissed to say the least. Caroline had done a good job of undermining his power status. She had indirectly told him that he was incapable of doing the simple task of knowing his enemies. He looked at Rebekah that had a neutral expression. He knew she was just waiting for his decision.
"Get ready. We're going to that bloody goddamn ball," he seethed and harshly threw the invitation towards the side table. He flashed outside the house, deciding to spend a little playtime with Marcel's vampires.
Caroline paced the room back and forth, her mind intent on finding a way to keep her friends and mother safe. The turmoil in her mind only worsened with Klaus's image popping up in her mind. Giving up, she let herself fall backwards on her bed and recalled Klaus's expression. She knew he was beyond mad and would probably be torturing the hell out of someone, or simply going on a killing rampage. She wondered who would be so unlucky as to face the hybrid's anger.
She rolled over onto her tummy and started to text her mom, let her know she's fine. After a few minutes of contemplating, she also informed her mother to keep an extra eye out but without alerting the others. After sending the message she sighed and thought of her friends. Her sudden leave was actually enough to make them suspicious, but she couldn't understand why she felt like it was such a long time ago. Was it really that long ago? It had only been about a week since she left, and it included the fact that she had been avoiding Elena and Bonnie's calls all week. She wouldn't know what to say in the first place.
But Klaus was right, it would be more or less a trap. She considered the night that their whole gang had gone to the ball of the Mikaelson family, although the siblings had been linked to each other so they could be killed, all of them were at least able to go home alive. Thinking back to the ball she relived the way they had danced, and how Klaus looked at her, as if she was the only woman he could see. She had ignored the shivers that threatened to consume her, convincing herself that Tyler looked at her just the same. But thinking hard about it, she couldn't even compare how his gaze seemed to penetrate her entire being, searing her soul. And yet, she had loved how it felt, like her insides were wondrously melting. Tyler's on the other hand, he would make her feel warm and giggly.
She wondered who she should choose, but immediately shook her head.
"No Caroline. There is no choosing. Yes, you and the big bad Hybrid are friends. But it doesn't mean that you're choosing him over Tyler. It will always be Tyler. It should always be him," she scolded herself. She had totally strayed from her original train of thought.
"You're lucky he didn't hear that," Caroline almost jumped at Rebekah's voice. She glared at her figure leaning on the door frame.
"God, you and your siblings just don't understand privacy do you?"
Rebekah frowned, "Maybe we would if you actually kept your thoughts private. I don't know what you want from my brother Caroline, but I'm telling you, we may always be threatening to kill each other but I'd never let someone take advantage of my brother's feelings. He's had enough of your games back in Mystic Falls, you better think twice before you play with fire Caroline. I'm sure you wouldn't want to get burnt."
And with that said, Rebekah disappeared from Caroline's view, leaving Caroline more confused than ever.
Caroline lay still on the bed as she heard the front door open and heard Klaus's familiar footsteps. She didn't know when she actually familiarized herself with his movements, but she wasn't mistaken. It was definitely Klaus.
After gathering her courage, she finally worked her way down the stairs and out into the pool area of the mansion. There she saw Klaus staring at the sky, reeking of blood.
Well at least it's vampire blood, she thought. She probably would have thrown another fit if he smelled like he was soaked in human blood. Slowly she started walking towards him.
"Stop. Leave me be Caroline," she looked at his back with unconsciously pleading eyes, but stopped her advance nonetheless.
"Look. About what I said earlier. Perhaps I was too harsh," said Caroline. But before she could say another word, Klaus turned around to face her with cold steely eyes. Her words were suddenly lost.
"Perhaps? You know love, I think I've been a bit too lenient on you. You tread dangerous waters, don't be so sure you will be safe all the time. I may have slight affections for you, but don't put yourself on a pedestal just yet. Remember, I did dagger my siblings every time they defied my will. What makes you think you're so special?" His curtness scaring the baby vampire making her flash off to her room, loudly slamming the door and locking it including the one that conjoined their rooms.
Klaus sat on his bed, fighting the urge to sigh. He listened intently for any sound coming from the other room, feeling relieved when he heard Caroline's deep breaths, which probably meant she was asleep.
He had sparked her anger again. He had recoiled from their spat harshly and had threatened to harm her. He hadn't said it directly, but he knew that's how she perceived his words. He couldn't even lay a hand on her. All through the time that he had brutally said those things, he had kept his voice low, containing his anger in between his teeth.
She had unconsciously made him feel worthless. Like he couldn't do anything about what was happening around him. It reminded him of the time he was being hunted by his father. Constantly being rubbed in the face of how useless and powerless he was. And throughout the years that his father had been desiccated, and even when he was awakened, he had managed to gain control, to keep it. He had always come out on top. Until Caroline.
Challenging and brazen with dominance, she had easily caught his eye. The light she always carried with her had become the subject of Klaus's addiction. She was strong and compassionate, perfectly paired by incomparable loyalty. He had longed to see someone who would be so loyal to him as Caroline was with her friends. He saw how they failed to see the importance of each sacrifice that Caroline made, each favor that asked for nothing in return.
He admired her for all the beauty that was kept inside, just waiting to be revealed. And yet, someone had so much as the guts to diminish that light. He couldn't even bare to imagine her smiling face disappearing into nothing. To feel helpless in protecting someone he felt for brought forth a pain told in ancient stories.
He couldn't let Caroline befall the same fate as Henrik. Even if she had to hate him for his actions, he would risk it. He would risk the friendship that she had so kindly offered. Niklaus thoughts faltered for a moment. His dreams that had started forming ever since their friendship bud slowly faded from his mind, replaced of lonely days without her. He shook his head, thinking it was better to know she was alive and probably happy somewhere, rather than to no longer have her existence in the world. His jaw clenched at the thought of someone else making her smile. Dark days loomed ahead as he began forming plans in his mind.
