This is a much longer chapter. So I hope you enjoy it.
I woke early this morning to utter silence. My mind was calm and clear. Usually after I had done something bad it filled me with guilt, but my conscious was clear. I held no guilt or ill will against myself after what happened the previous night. I had fun. For the first time in a long time, I didn't think of the consequences of my actions. Although, when I woke this morning, I was surprised that a certain hybrid was still nowhere to be seen. Considering that he knew I was out without his hybrid to accompany me, I thought that he'd have something to say about it.
Once I changed clothes, I headed downstairs to find something to eat. As I reached the bottom of the stairs, a loud knocking came from the front door. I walked over and opened it.
"Damon?" I frowned in surprise at the blue-eyed Salvatore. Turning a little to the right, I noticed that he wasn't alone. "Elena. Everything alright?"
"It's Jeremy," Elena said breathlessly. Eyes filled with fear. "Connor's got him. He's holding him hostage at The Grill."
"What?" I gasped, "Connor as in the 'hunter'?" Elena nodded her head. "I thought he was dead?"
I knew something was off.
Damon narrowed his eyes, "Where's Tyler?" he said before he walked inside the house and looked around.
"Tyler told me he was dead, Damon." I said as he looked into the foyer.
"Well, he was then he wasn't." He replied while searching for the elusive Lockwood.
"What does that even mean?" I threw my hands in the air.
"I'll explain later," Damon sighed, "Tyler, where is he?"
"He'll be around here somewhere." I turned around and walked down the hallway in the direction of the family room with Elena and Damon following closely behind. Moments later, we found Tyler and I called Caroline to come over immediately. The more brains we had, the better. Damon grew tired of waiting for Stefan to answer his phone, so he began to talk strategy. Caroline arrived not long after I messaged her and Damon filled me in with all things 'hunter'. Although, not without throwing in a dig or two about Klaus keeping it from me. Once Care arrived, she left the room to make a phone call to our mom. Hoping that she could do something in regards to the roads surrounding The Grill.
I knew he was lying to me. I just didn't want to see it I guess. But why would he lie? Why would he not tell me that the hunter was dead when he was here the other night? Or better yet, why would he not tell me that he was in fact, alive and kicking and that he was keeping him locked up for some reason?
"We have a plan," Damon's voice interrupted my thoughts, pulling me back to reality as he argued with Stefan, who I hadn't realised entered the room. "The plan is I'm gonna rip Connor's heart out and I'm gonna feed it to him."
Stefan sighed, "That's not a plan. We need to be careful. Connor has Jeremy and who knows how many other hostages."
"Hence the open heart surgery." Damon smirked.
"Damon's right," Elena interjected, "Connor's smart, but he's not going to be able to take all of us."
As Tyler informed the others about the hybrids coming to help, Care walked back into the room.
"Our mom put squad cars blocking the streets," She smiled, "They're saying it's a faulty gas main. We're good to go."
"Good, great. No cops, no witnesses, no reason to wait around." Damon took a step forward, eager to go until Stefan stopped him.
"All right, hold on, you're not all going." Stefan said as he looked at Elena, Caroline, Tyler and I.
"He shot me like nine times." Tyler stated, "If we're killing him, I want in."
"He's got Jeremy. I'm going." Elena said. Her tone was filled with emotion.
"Listen, nobody is going anywhere until I figure out what we're walking into." Stefan groaned.
Damon's eyes narrowed as he stepped towards his brother, "Until you figure it out?" He said, "Is that where you've been all morning? Out buying bossy-pants?"
"This guy is known for setting traps, right?" Stefan said to the room, "We'd be pretty dumb to walk into one, especially if he has werewolf venom."
I frowned, "Does he?
Stefan swallowed, "He's had it before."
"True," I said and crossed my arms across my chest. I watched as Elena looked deep in thought, almost like she was rethinking the whole idea about bursting in there, guns blazing. Damon on the other hand looked furious at his brother's doubts and new found leadership.
"Fine. Fine, if you want to take some time to do recon, you get one hour." He said to Stefan, "But we're gonna need some extra help. So, where the hell is the Wicked Witch of the West?"
"She can't do magic." Caroline said from beside Tyler.
Damon shrugged, "Really? Well, call her, tell her Jeremy's life is in danger; maybe that will bring her out of retirement." He walked out of the room, hitting Stefan with his shoulder as he passed.
As Elena followed after Damon, I stayed with Stefan as he hung his head low. I still wasn't one hundred percent alright with him after the whole Klaus fiasco, but Damon and I were back on good terms. Now it was time for Stefan and I to clear the air. Hopefully.
I touched his arm to gain his attention before I motioned towards the back door with my head. Stefan followed me outside, I folded my arms, anxiously as I faced him.
"What's going on?" I said, breaking the silence.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"I mean, where's Klaus?" Stefan's lips pressed into a fine line, "And why did he lie to me about the hunter being dead...or alive, or whatever." As I stood idly by, waiting for Stefan to answer me. He remained tight-lipped on the subject. "Stefan!"
"Look, Jess," He said in a calm tone, "You'll have to ask Klaus. I can't tell you anything."
"Can't or won't?" He just shook his head, refusing to answer me, "You know what, forget it. I'll figure it out myself." I sulked and walked past him back into the house.
As I walked back inside the house, I was met by another situation that I didn't think of or prepare for. Caroline stood face to face with Hayley in the hallway, glaring at her, her arms crossed over her chest defensively.
"Well, Hayley, that's pretty crazy, because I haven't heard a thing about you." My sister hissed at the brunette.
"I've been staying here for a few days." Hayley said while peering around Caroline.
"Excuse me?" Care shot back, flabbergasted.
"I needed a place to crash, Ty's a buddy, he was kind enough to offer."
Caroline began to approach Hayley as I walked up behind them. I grew nervous as she stopped a few steps in front of the wolf.
"I know all of Ty's buddies and I haven't heard about you. So, how about we cut the crap?"
"Yeah, I don't do teen drama. Take it up with Ty. Excuse me." Hayley shook her head and walked past Caroline into the room where Tyler was with a Hybrid. Caroline scoffed and faced me. "You knew she was staying here and you didn't tell me?"
"I wanted to," I sighed, "Tyler said that he was going to tell you. I thought that he had already, or I would have told you by now."
Caroline nodded silently and turned on her heels to follow on behind the wolf. I followed behind her, stopping by her side as Tyler argued with a hybrid about something Klaus had ordered him to do.
"Klaus told you to take Connor on by yourself and you can't even fight back?" Tyler snapped, "You have to use non-lethal force. What the hell is that?"
He wants the hunter alive? What the hell is going on?
"Klaus gave me a direct order." The hybrid, Dean, said.
"It's too dangerous. That maniac already killed Nate." Hayley said, trying to talk him out of it.
He scoffed, "You're not a hybrid, you don't know what it's like. Klaus asks for something, you do it."
"Look," Tyler said as he walked over to him, "I'm a hybrid. I used to do everything Klaus said, but I don't anymore. You don't have to either."
I narrowed my eyes.
What did he mean, 'He doesn't have to either anymore?'.
"You think you can stand up to Klaus?" Dean held out his phone towards Tyler. "Prove it."
"Tyler, don't." Caroline called from behind him.
Tyler turned and looked between Care and I before looking down at the phone momentarily, before dialling Klaus' number and holding the device to his ear.
The phone rang three times before Klaus answered, "Hello?"
I listened in as Tyler began to talk.
"Hey, Klaus."
"Tyler!" Klaus sang happily into the phone, "I hope you're not causing problems."
"I can do whatever I want," Tyler smirked, "I'm not sired to you anymore."
There was a slight pause before Klaus replied, "Fair enough. Although I do happen to know your little secret about your time in Appalachia," My throat went instantly dry as I looked towards Caroline, I knew she was listening to the conversation also. "What was your friend's name? Hayley, was it? You probably prefer I kept that to myself."
The shock and utter betrayal on my sister's face broke my heart. I missed out on the ending of the conversation as Tyler hung up the call, cleared his throat, and thrust the device into Dean's chest.
"Do whatever the hell you want." He said angrily before he stormed out of the room. Completely ignoring Care, and everyone else.
"Care..." I sighed and reached out for her arm.
"Don't!" Caroline yelled and snatched her arm back, "Just...Don't." As I tried to protest, my sister walked out of the room, wiping at the fallen tears.
A while later, I lay on the sofa in the main room as Tyler and Hayley stood together, hugging as the news of Dean's death reached them. On the bright side, the hunter was now dead, Jeremy was safe and so was Matt and April. On the not-so-bright-side, Elena killed him. Her first kill. I knew how that felt, and how much she was going to resent herself for what she had done. She was going to need all the support she could get right about now.
I swung my legs off the sofa as a blonde entered into the room on the far side.
"Caroline." I sighed as I eyed her.
She stood in the doorway, arms crossed over her chest as she looked at Tyler and Hayley together. They quickly broke apart as the turned to face her.
"I apologise. Am I intruding?" She spat.
"Caroline, It's not like that." Tyler shook his head.
Her eyes narrowed, "I keep waiting for you to make up some dumb story so at least I can call you a liar. Is that now?"
"I'll let you talk." Hayley said, glancing at Caroline before leaving the room.
"Thank you. How big of you." Care shouted after her as she left.
I rose from the sofa and walked over to my sister and Ty as they began to argue.
"You have to understand..."
Tyler began to talk, but Care cut him off quickly, "No, you don't tell me what I have to do. I went through hell when I thought you died. I cried like an Idiot and this whole time you've been keeping a secret from me about falling for some werewolf in the Appalachians!" She said before facing me, "And you knew."
I frowned, "I didn't, Care. I swear. I only found out two days ago."
"I never fell for her." Tyler interjected before I could finish speaking.
Caroline and I looked at him and scoffed, "Oh, please." We said in unison.
"She saved my life." Tyler sighed, "I almost died trying to break the sire-bond. Hayley was there for me, she helped me get through it, but nothing else happened."
"If nothing else happened, why did you let Klaus say all those things the other day? Why didn't you correct him?" I asked, sceptically.
Ty took a deep breath, "Because I'd rather him think that than know the truth." Care and I looked at him confused, waiting for him to continue and explain what he meant. "There are other hybrids that need to be set free. Hayley and I can help them. But if Klaus found out about what we're trying to do, he'd kill us all."
My eyes widened in realisation as I stared back at Tyler. "You're trying to break all the hybrids from the sire-bond."
He nodded, "Yes. I tried to tell you the other day, but you stormed out and wouldn't let me explain."
"If Klaus finds out about this...You're all dead, Tyler." I sighed.
"You can't say a thing to him, Jess." Tyler said as he grabbed my hands, "Please. You have to keep the ruse up or he'll kill us all."
Could I keep something like that from Klaus? He's kept so much from me these past few days. Besides, no one deserves their freewill to be taken from them. Like I had mine taken.
"I won't say a word." I smiled small, "I promise."
"I'm trusting you, Jess." Tyler said as he stared into my eyes. I could tell that he was instantly doubting everything he had just said to me, the look in his eyes said it all.
"Tyler," I sighed and grabbed his hand, "I promise. I won't say a word. You can trust me."
An hour or two later, I made my way upstairs into my room and flopped down onto the bed, exhausted. The events of today were a lot to take in...and I hadn't even done anything. I scrolled on my phone until the screen turned black and began to vibrate in my hand. I closed my eyes softly as his name flashed on the screen.
Time to lie my ass off.
"Klaus." I said as I answered the phone.
"Hello, love." Klaus said in a soft tone, "Just checking in to make sure you're alright."
I smirked, "Oh, I'm great,"
I knew that I had to keep up the ruse about Tyler and Hayley. If Klaus found out, he'd kill Tyler, no questions asked.
"I learned today that the hunter was alive and kicking after I was told the complete opposite the day before. Not to mention the fact that you've been lying to me about it the whole time."
"I do apologise-" As Klaus began to speak, I cut him off.
"Ohh, I'm not finished," I hissed and rose to my feet, pacing back and forth, "Caroline knows about Tyler and Hayley now, thanks to you. She heard what you said to him on the phone earlier."
I heard him sigh before he replied, "Didn't your mother teach you not to eavesdrop on other people's conversations."
My lips parted at his reply and I stopped pacing, "I'm hanging up now."
"Come on, love." Klaus said softly as I removed the phone from my ear. "She would have found out one way or another."
I debated whether or not to hang up the call, but I couldn't deny the fact that I was happy to hear his voice.
"Where are you?" I sighed.
"On my way to the airport." He said, "I should be back in Mystic Falls by morning."
"Why didn't you tell me you were leaving to go to Italy?" I asked, curiously.
"It was sudden, I didn't have time to come and explain it all to you." Klaus fell silent for a moment before I heard him smile against the phone, "Are you missing me, sweetheart?"
I rolled my eyes at his blatant arrogance, "Maybe a little." I laughed lightly. "Oh, have you heard from Rebekah? I haven't heard from her in a few days and the last time I saw her she wasn't looking too good."
"She's safe, don't worry about her." Klaus replied quickly.
Too quickly.
"Okay?" I frowned, "But where is she?"
There was a moment of silence before he replied, "She's safe and sound, you don't have to worry about her, love."
The vagueness in his answer was raising more questions than it was answering. I tapped my fingers against my leg as I took a seat on the bed. Trying to figure out what he meant by 'safe and sound'. That was until my eyes widened as it finally dawned on me, "Klaus...Tell me you didn't?"
"What?" He replied, nonchalantly.
"Tell me you didn't dagger your sister."
"I thought I just did?" Klaus hummed into the phone sarcastically.
"Klaus!" I yelled and pressed my hand against my face. "Where is she?"
"Jessica, love. You don't have to worry about her." He said once more, "I had my reasons for doing what I did."
"Tell me where she is, or I'll go and find her for myself." I sighed into the phone.
At least now I know why she didn't answer my texts earlier.
"Jessica, leave it alone." He warned.
"Why?" I protested, "Is there something else that you're keeping from me? Something else that you don't trust me with?"
"How about what you're keeping from me. Hmm?"
I instantly felt my heart drop.
He knew...How did he know?
"What do you mean?" I asked, dreading the reply.
"I know all about your little outing with Damon Salvatore." Klaus growled.
I blew a sigh of relief, "It wasn't a secret, Klaus." I replied, "I went out and had some fun. I thought it fitting after you lied to me about the hunter and made me stay here for no apparent reason."
"It was for your safety." He sighed deeply.
"Well, he's dead now." I smiled, "No need for me to stay here under the protection of your hybrids. Which, by the way, aren't so good at the 'protection' thing" I smirked, "So I'm going home. Tonight."
"Stay at Tyler's," Klaus instructed. "'I'll be back in the morning, we'll discuss it then."
"No." I replied sharply. "I'm going home."
I could feel the frustration in his tone as he growled into the phone. "Jessica, stay there. I won't tell you again."
I sighed and crinkled my nose, "Shame you aren't here to stop me."
"Jess-"
I hung up the call and shoved it into my back pocket before I grabbed my jacket from the end of the bed and pulled it on. I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder before I opened the door and entered into the hallway. Whooshing down the stairs and opening the door, I jumped back in surprise, as a dark-skinned, tall, muscular man blocked my path.
"Jessica?" He asked knowingly.
"Who are you?" I asked back.
"Names Chris." He smiled.
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest, "You're a hybrid." I sighed.
"Klaus asked me to make sure you stay inside." He replied.
"Yeah, well, Klaus isn't here." I smirked, "So I'm going home. Get out of my way."
"I'm afraid I can't do that." He sighed. "I've been instructed to do whatever it takes to keep you here."
I laughed, "You can't compel me. You can't hurt me, because then Klaus would be really angry with you."
"No, but I've been instructed to do what's necessary to keep you here." He said smugly.
I thought about the situation before I backed down.
I looked up at the hybrid, "You're lucky I can't be bothered to fight you right now."
"Sure..." He smiled back at me as I placed my bag on the table, before turning around and heading back into the house. I turned around as I walked away and the door softly clicked shut. Chris was now standing guard like a statue.
Great.
I followed the sound of clattering bottles until I found Hayley and Tyler carrying some bottles into the living room. I took a seat on the sofa and grabbed a bottle from the table.
"Has Care left?" I asked before taking a long drink from the bottle.
"Yeah," Tyler answered slowly as he looked at me, his brow raised as I drank. "Everything alright?"
I shrugged, "Just your former sire being a total asshole." I smirked and took another drink.
"No kidding," He laughed, "You're only realising this now?"
I punched his shoulder, "Not funny."
"Kinda funny." He smiled before taking a seat beside me.
"New rule," I sighed and leaned forward, "No hybrid talk. No vampire talk. No witch talk. In fact, no supernatural talk whatsoever. Tonight we just have fun and drink until the sun comes up."
"I can get behind that," Hayley grinned as she picked up a bottle, "Let's party."
Sure enough, Tyler, Hayley and I continued to drink until the sun began to rise in the early hours. Laughing, telling stories, and generally just having a good time. It was the first time in a long time that I had drunk and had this much fun, and It shows. Once Tyler called it quits and headed to his room. Hayley and I continued on for a while longer until I had to call it a night, too. The booze went straight to my head. So much so, that Chris, the hybrid, had to take me upstairs and put me to bed.
The sun was glaring into the room as I lay sprawled out on the bed. I pouted as a sharp pain shot through my head as I rolled over and clutched the sheets tightly. The consequences of last night's drinking finally took its toll on my body in the form of a headache. The soft chuckle coming from the seat by the side of the bed caused me to open one of my eyes.
"Ugh..." I groaned and rolled over onto my back. "What are you doing here?"
Klaus simply grinned and leaned forward, his elbows perched on his knees as his fingers made a pyramid shape. "I told you last night that I'd be back by morning. Or has your consumption of alcohol caused you to forget?"
"Ohh, I didn't forget. I just wasn't expecting to wake up to you in my room like a stalker." I replied and closed my eye again.
"Are you ready to talk about last night?" He asked, calmly.
"Are you ready to tell me where Rebekah is, and why you've been lying to me?" I shot back without hesitation. His low grumble answered my question instantly. "Didn't think so."
"Jessica, love." Klaus reached his hand out and touched my arm, but I pulled it away quickly. "Very well," The disappointment in his voice was evident as he got to his feet. "When you're ready to talk to me, I'll be waiting down stairs."
I listened for the door opening and closing before I sat up. I didn't like the fact that I ignored him, but I had to stick-to-my-guns, as it were. I needed him to be honest with me about what's been going on. And if I have to be the bad one and remain silent until that time comes, so be it. I changed clothes and brushed my hair, not rushing as I knew Klaus would be down stairs, waiting for me to talk to him. So I took my time to get ready.
I walked down the stairs about ten minutes later to be met by yet another confrontation in full swing. Caroline was stood at the door, Tyler was in front of her, holding a box of what looked to be his personal items and Klaus was looming in the back, watching closely.
"Caroline," Klaus smiled and she folded her arms over her chest, "By the break-up drama unfolding before me, I assume you've met Hayley." When my sister refused to answer him he turned to his hybrids, "All right, come on, let's leave them alone. Your talents are needed elsewhere."
I walked down the remaining three steps and stopped behind Tyler. He turned around and looked at me. He looked to be slightly worried as to whether or not I'd keep my promise I made to him the night before.
"Jessica..." Klaus smiled, "Ready to talk?"
I looked at Tyler and Caroline before I faced Klaus, his smirk still on his lips as he awaited my answer. I shook my head in a silent reply to his question.
"Very well." The hybrid replied before leaving with his other hybrids.
Caroline looked towards the door before smiling. "Do you think he bought it?"
"Hell, I bought it." Hayley said as she appeared in the door frame.
"How did you know he was here?" I asked.
"Hayley sent me a message, letting me know he was here." Care smiled.
Tyler sniggered, "You girls are good liars."
As he hugged Caroline and kissed her, I observed Hayley watching them, awkwardly.
Yeah...Good liars...
"What do you mean Klaus took Elena?" I gasped as Caroline, Tyler, Stefan and I stood in the parlour room of the Lockwood Mansion.
"Something to do with the hunter," Stefan sighed, he was clearly distraught by the whole situation. "So, what did you want to tell me?"
Tyler smiled and folded his arms across his chest, "Hayley is the one that helped me break the sire-bond. She showed me what to do and how to help. When she showed up here I thought it was just a coincidence, but it turns out she's been helping one of them, her friend Chris. And she came to help us get the rest of them out from under Klaus."
"So...Are you telling me that Chris isn't sired anymore?" Stefan eyed Tyler sceptically, trying to process the information that Tyler had just given him.
Caroline grinned, "That's exactly what he's telling you."
Son-of-a-bitch.
I couldn't quite believe my ears. If I had known that Chris wasn't sired anymore, I wouldn't have backed down so easily last night when he stopped me from leaving. Of course he had to keep up the ruse of being sired to Klaus, which is why he followed his instructions. So I guess that I couldn't be mad at Chris anymore.
"Jess?"
"Hmm?" I snapped out of my day dream as Stefan called my name. All the eyes in the room were now on me as I looked at everyone. "What? Why are you staring at me?"
"We need you to distract Klaus. Long enough for me to get into his house and get Elena back." Stefan said.
I sniggered, "No thanks." I laughed a little until the room fell silent, "Oh, wait. You're serious?"
"You're the only one that can do it, Jess." Caroline said from beside Tyler.
I shook my head, "If you haven't noticed, we're not exactly speaking, Care."
"Which is exactly why you're the best bet." Tyler smiled as he backed up my sister's earlier statement.
"You're the one that has the biggest problem with me being around Klaus, and now you want me to be his distraction?" I sniggered, "Ironic."
Tyler rolled his eyes as I watched Stefan cross the room until he was standing in front of me, "Please, Jessica." He said, his eyes pleading with mine as his lips pressed onto a fine line. "I really need your help."
The nerve he had to ask me for anything. He helped to kill Klaus. Stood by as I cried over his decaying body on the floor. Now he's asking for my help?
"I don't think I can." I sighed and he grabbed my hands.
"I know - I know how selfish and out-of-order I am to ask you for anything, Jess." Stefan said, "I'll forever be sorry for what I did that night. I had no other choice. Just like you didn't that night on the bridge."
I closed my eyes tightly, "Okay." I sighed and opened my eyes as Stefan smiled slightly. "I'll do it."
Around an hour later, I was making my way towards the entrance of the Grill wearing my leather jacket, a black, low-cut dress and a pair of heels. I wasn't sure how long I had to distract Klaus for, so I opted for something a bit more 'revealing', in the hopes that I could keep his attention. Once I was inside of the building, I cast my eye over the room, looking for the target. It wasn't long until I spotted the back of his head as he sat at the bar.
Taking a deep breath, I made my way over to him. As I neared him, I unzipped my jacket and let it slip from my shoulders, "Place looks pretty good considering your hybrid got blown up in it." I smiled and hung my jacket over the back of the chair, "What was his name again, Dean, was it?"
"Jessica," Klaus smiled as he set down his glass, "Decided to talk to me now?"
I shrugged, "I think the silent treatment has become a little tedious, don't you?"
"Very much so." He smiled and reached for my hand. I placed it into his as I took a seat in the unoccupied chair.
Now or never.
"Klaus..." I began to speak, taking a deep inhale as he squeezed my hand in his. "I want you to give Elena back."
"Ahh," He looked away briefly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "They sent you to sweet talk me. Well, good form, but I'm afraid I can't do it."
I pouted, "Why not?"
"She needs my help."
I furrowed my brows, "And why can't Stefan or Damon help her?"
"They don't have the knowledge, nor the means necessary to help her like I do." He answered. "Look, I'm not going to burden you with the gory details. She's safe and being looked after."
"How chivalrous of you." I said and looked towards the bar. "Can't blame me for trying."
"Not at all." Klaus chuckled lightly, "Can I offer you a drink."
I turned to face him and thought over his offer for a quick second before nodding, "I'd like that."
Moments later and there was a glass of red wine sitting in front of me. Klaus had compelled the bartender to get me a drink without asking for ID and I made sure no one that knew me was in the Grill.
Can't have the sheriff's daughter be caught drinking, now, can we?
As I took a sip from the glass, Klaus snaked his hand across the bar and clasped it over the top of mine, turning it around until his palm fit together with mine. I faced him and flashed a quick smile.
"So, what made you decide to come and talk to me?"
"Like I said before, It was becoming tedious." I replied.
"Nothing else?" He pressed, "You haven't missed me or any such thing like that?"
Klaus smirked as I faced him, slightly blushing at his words before I took another long sip from the glass.
"Maybe I did." I said and gave him a small smile.
Klaus and I continued chatting for a while, he was vague when we touched on the subject of his sister, Rebekah, making sure to brush over it with a compliment or some other form to throw me off the scent. A while later, I felt my phone vibrate inside of my jacket pocket which hung on the back of the chair. I swivelled round and pulled it out to check the screen as Klaus flagged down the bartender.
There were three new messages from my sister,
"Stefan lost Elena."
"He needs a vampire to kill. He'll turn someone if he has to."
"Get an answer. Fast!"
I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat as Klaus turned back around to face me, a fresh glass of wine in his hand. I knew that I had to come clean about my real intentions for being here tonight. I lowered my phone down to my lap and clutched it tightly.
"So," I laughed nervously as he eyed me, "The thing is, I didn't just come here to try to get you to release Elena."
"You don't say," Klaus smirked.
I brushed my hand over my forehead, into my hair before smiling at the hybrid.
Here goes nothing.
"You have to promise not to be mad, okay?" I said. Klaus' left eyebrow raised as he clasped his hands together, intertwining his finger as he waited for me to speak. "Okay...I came here to distract you so that Stefan could go to your house and break her out," I saw the expression on Klaus' face was changing by the second. "Remember, don't be mad...but then he lost her." Klaus sprung from his chair in an angry fury and started to storm off as I called after him. "Klaus!"
"Jessica, sweetheart," Klaus stopped and turned to face me, "You're beautiful, but if you don't stop talking, I will make you."
I looked at him a little shocked at his words, but as he turned to walk off again, I yelled after him. Stopping him in his tracks, "They figured out how to stop the hallucinations!"
He stopped, frozen on the spot as I approached him from behind. "Okay. You have ten seconds to tell me."
Once I told Klaus what he wanted to know, he was off in the blink-of-an-eye. He warned me to remain out of the way until it was over, until he called me and informed me that Jeremy had killed the hybrid and that Elena was finally set free from the torment. I returned back to the Lockwood Mansion later that night. Once I let myself inside, the eerie silence was deafening. I walked down the hallway and into the parlour room where I found my sister and Tyler huddle together on the sofa with Hayley sleeping at the other end.
"Care, Tyler," I sighed as I entered the room and stood in front of them.
Tyler looked up at the same time as Caroline. "It's just us," He sighed, the sadness was evident in his voice as he raised his glass, "Paying our respects to Chris." he said before swallowing the remnants in the glass.
I closed my eyes tightly.
Why did it have to be Chris?
"Tyler, I'm so sorry." I sighed softly, "We didn't have a choice."
Tyler shook his head back and forth, "I told him we had his back, Jess. I told him if he helped us he'd be free."
"But we needed to help our friend," Caroline said as she gently rested her hand on Ty's arm.
He scoffed, "Yeah, we helped our friend by handing over another friend."
"Chris wasn't-" Caroline began to shake her head, but Tyler cut her off quickly.
"Chris was a friend, Caroline. He's like me. He's like Jess. He's part of my pack. All he wanted to do was be un-sired by that disgusting piece of..." He trailed off and looked towards me, his eye narrowed. "How did you get Klaus to agree to give up one of his hybrids?"
Oh fuck!
I knew they weren't going to like my answer. I was hoping that they'd never ask...but they did.
"It's not important," I shrugged and turned around, avoiding all eye contact.
"Yes, it is," Caroline said, "What did you do?"
"Well..." I swallowed slowly as I thought back to the conversation I had with Klaus in the Grill.
"You have ten seconds to tell me," Klaus groaned in annoyance as his patience was wearing dangerously thin.
"Jeremy needs to kill a vampire. Once a hunter is dead, the curse sets in and it'll only stop when a new hunter is awoken." I said quickly, "So, once Jeremy kills a vampire, he becomes the new hunter, thus ending the curse on Elena. She'll be free."
Klaus eyed me, "I'm waiting on what this has to do with me, love."
I shrugged and bit my bottom lip, "That's the thing, the fastest solution would be, well, to kill one of your hybrids."
"Absolutely not." Klaus hissed. "I will not sacrifice one of my hybrids for the sake of some girl."
"You said that you were helping Elena, that she was safe." I huffed, "Well, she's not and this is the only way to end it, Klaus."
The hybrid fell silent, biting his own lip momentarily before he replied. "Fine."
My eyes lit up, "Fine?"
"I'll give you one of my hybrids," Klaus said. He then took a step forward, narrowing the gap between us. Raising his right hand, he stroked his thumb over my cheek as he caressed my jaw with his fingers. "There will be something given in return."
I felt my cheeks flush, "W-What do you want?"
"I want you, sweetheart," He smiled, "I want all of you."
At that moment, I felt all my senses leave my body. The ability to speak, the ability to move or even think. Everything was just gone. Vanished off the face of the earth. He had literally stunned me into silence with his ultimatum. I knew what he was referring to, but I didn't know if I was ready to take that step with him just yet. There was a lot he was keeping from me, I knew he didn't trust me as much as he wanted me to believe.
"Jessica?" Klaus still held my gaze as I drifted off into my mind. The sound of my name being called brought me back to reality. "What'll it be?"
"Sorry," I cleared my throat and straightened down my dress, "I have a question."
"Okay."
"What if I'm not ready to give you that part of myself." Feeling the sudden embarrassment surge through my body, I looked away from his longing gaze. I wanted to run and curl up into a ball in the middle of the woods somewhere and die.
"One of my hybrids in exchange for you. I want to be with you, Sweetheart," Klaus cooed as he stroked my face and leaned down, his nose brushing the tip of mine ever-so-slightly. "I want to be with you in the most intimate way one can be with another. It's the only way I'll be willing to give up one of my hybrids."
"Mmm," I hummed as I thought it over. As much as I hated the sound of this 'deal', I knew deep down that I wanted exactly that. Him. I also knew the more I prolonged this moment, the more Elena will spiral until she kills herself through the torment of the hunter. "You have a deal." I finally replied.
Klaus looked taken aback, almost like he was certain that I'd refuse his deal. He fixed his posture, "Are you sure? I don't want you to do anything that you aren't ready for," His hand remained on my jaw.
I turned my face to the side and smiled before placing a kiss on his palm, "I'm sure."
"Jess!" I looked towards Caroline as she stood from the sofa, her arms open wide as she called my name.
"I agreed to be with him." I said quickly.
She frowned, "Against your better judgement, aren't you technically already with him?"
I pressed my lips into a fine line and shrugged as I didn't want to elaborate further. Tyler rose from the sofa and sniggered, his eyebrow raised as he slowly began to shake his head. "You've got to be kidding me."
"What?" Caroline frowned as she faced Ty.
"Ty...Don't." I pleaded as I knew he figured it out.
"Someone better tell me what's going on. Right now!" Care shrieked.
"She's going to sleep with him." Tyler sighed nonchalantly as he poured another drink. "Isn't that right, Jess."
"WHAT?" Caroline's eyes widened as I pinched the bridge of my nose in sheer annoyance. "You can't be serious, Jess. Tell me you're not serious."
I shrugged, "It doesn't matter, Care. You don't have to freak out over it."
"Are you SERIOUS!" She yelled, "You're talking about having sex with Klaus, and you're telling me not to freak out?" She began to laugh in disbelief as she poured a glass of alcohol. "I can't believe you'd be so stupid as to agree to that!"
"I wouldn't have agreed to it if it's not what I wanted!" I yelled back, "It's my choice, Caroline." I turned and faced Tyler as he eyed me, "Plus, now he'll be distracted, and you and Hayley can free the rest of the hybrids."
"What happened to loyalty?" Tyler hissed, "You're a wolf, just like me, Jess. You're my sister!"
"You don't think I know that!" I yelled back, "I have been loyal to you. I'm keeping your secrets. I'm not keeping them because of some werewolf-pack loyalty. I admit, I have an undeniable pull towards you ever since I transitioned, but most importantly, you're my brother. Fair be it that we're half siblings, but I'd do anything to keep you safe. If that means I have to keep lying to do that, then so be it. All I ask in return is the same amount of trust!"
Tyler nodded in silence, his lips were slanted downwards as he approached the coffee table and poured out a glass of alcohol. I gripped onto the sleeve of my jacket as I watched him, nervously. Suddenly, a glass came hurling in my direction, I flinched as it smashed against the wall directly beside my head.
The loud noise woke the sleeping wolf on the sofa, "What the hell is going on?" Hayley asked as she rubbed her eyes and sat up.
"Nothing." Tyler sneered, "Nothing at all." He looked towards the wolf for a second before his eyes fell back on mine. I stared back at him, wide-eyed. "Just celebrating the life of a fallen Hybrid friend."
I was stunned by his sudden rage-filled outburst.
I knew Caroline would flip her lid, but Tyler? I never expected him to react in such a way.
I didn't wait around for the aftermath of screaming back and forth between the three of us. So I ran out of the house as fast as I could and climbed into my car. I had only one destination in mind as I started the engine and drove off.
The streets were empty, which made for a much quicker drive. I was parked outside of his house in less than twenty minutes. As I turned the car off, I noticed that he was standing outside by the steps, awaiting my arrival. I reached into the back of the car and grabbed my bag before climbing out and locking it up. I clawed at the strap of my bag as I neared him. Instantly remembering our conversation in The Grill, I shuddered.
"Welcome back, love." Klaus grinned as I stopped in front of him. I gave him a wavering smile as I was still in a state of shock at what happened back at Tyler's. Klaus didn't miss a thing as he held my hand, "What's wrong?" He asked.
"Nothing...Just arguing with my sister." I said in a low tone.
He nodded his head before ushering me inside. As we walked inside, Klaus snaked his arm up my back and clasped his hand over the nape of my neck as we walked up stairs. I shuddered under his calloused fingers and he moved them back and forward in a sweeping motion against my tender skin. I heard him release a long sigh as we walked down the hallway...past my room. My eyes instantly widened and my heart rate was going through the roof as we neared his bedroom door.
Was tonight the night? I hadn't had the time to mentally prepare myself!
I swallowed slowly as I heard the subtle click of his door opening. Klaus gently pushed me inside and closed the door behind him as he followed me in. I walked towards the end of his bed and dropped my bag before turning to face him.
I cleared my throat as he neared, "Just so that you're aware, I'm not in the mood-"
"Jess-"
I cut him off as I continued, "I've had a really bad day," Klaus raised his hand as he walked towards me, but I continued on and dismissed his interjection, "So, if we're going to do this-"
"Be quiet." Klaus instructed as he placed the palm of his hand against my lips, silencing me immediately. He smirked, "I don't want anything from you tonight, love."
I frowned and placed my hand on top of his, lowering it from my mouth, "Then...why am I in your room?"
He chuckled lightly, "Because I want you here." I smiled. Klaus intertwined our fingers together before tugging me closer. "Setting a specific time would be ridiculous, don't you think? Besides," Klaus twirled me around and pulled my body flush against his as he lowered his head to the side of my neck. He slowly began to pull my hair around to the other side as he gently began to nip and kiss at the exposed skin, causing me to quietly gasp. His hand snaked around my waist as he pressed his hand flat against my stomach. "I think when the time comes, the built up desire will only make the union more...pleasurable." He whispered. "Don't you agree?"
I lulled my head back against his chest, "Y-Yes," I replied as I bit down on my lower lip. My body was suddenly hyper-aware of how he touched it. The movement of his fingers along my waist. The way his lips and teeth moved along my skin. The way his scent intoxicated me in every way possible. Klaus backed away, spinning me around on the spot before he leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on my lips as he smirked.
I don't know if it was the wolf inside of me that yearned for him or if it was completely down to me. Nevertheless, I wanted him more than I needed air to breathe.
I frowned, "It's rude to get a girl worked up like that without following through."
Klaus' smirk only grew as each second passed by, "I agree, but it's rather gratifying from my perspective."
I rolled my eyes and gently shoved him backwards, "Karma's a bitch." I smirked, "You'd be best to remember that."
"Is that so?" Klaus' eyes glinted gold in excitement as I flashed him a mischievous grin, my own eyes glowing yellow.
"Very much." I replied before I turned on my heels and walked towards his dresser. I opened the top drawer and pulled out a black shirt.
"What are you doing?" He asked as he watched me closely.
"I need something to wear, don't I?" I smiled and closed the drawer over by walking into it backwards. I shrugged my jacket off and let it fall to the floor. Placing the collar of Klaus' shirt into my mouth, I kicked off my heels and snaked my arms around my back towards the metal zipper on the back of my dress. I narrowed my eyes as the hybrid remained still. As I tugged on the zipper, the dress suddenly became loose around my waist before I let it drop to the floor.
I smirked as I heard Klaus' heart rate soar. Although my body was hidden behind his shirt, I could feel his eyes wandering over every inch. Eyes which flare gold in pure, undeniable desire. I removed his shirt from my mouth and took a step forward, holding it against my chest. Klaus followed suit and stepped forward. "Ah-ah." I murmured, and raised my hand to stop him from walking any closer. He stopped instantly and eyed me sceptically. I grinned in response before I pulled his shirt over my head, giving him a glimpse of my whole body in only lingerie.
Once my head popped out of the top, I pulled it down and fixed my hair. Klaus was staring at me in amusement. I noticed that he was gently biting down on his bottom lip, whilst his hands formed tight fists. My eyes trailed back towards his and I smiled as I walked towards him. I stopped a foot in front of him and reached out my hand and placed it on his chest, which was tight as he tensed under my touch.
"See," I whispered and trailed my index finger up his torso until I met the end of his collar bones, "Karma."
Klaus released a low, vibrating growl before he grabbed me by the waist and pinned my back against the wall across the room, knocking the breath from my lungs. One hand wrapped around my neck whilst the other squeezed my waist tightly, holding me in place as I gasped. I grinned as he lowered his lips to mine before kissing me passionately. The kiss was over quicker than I expected it to be as he pulled back. Looking up at him through my lashes, I took a sharp inhale of air.
"Karma." Klaus whispered as his lips broke out into a wicked smirk. I began to laugh as he backed away and straightened his shirt. "Shall we sleep now that the teasing is over."
I frowned, "Oh, it's not over." I said as I walked over to the side of the bead and pulled back the sheets, "Far from it."
Klaus grinned before he stripped free from his clothes and pulled on a pair of loose fitting sweat-pants he retrieved from the dresser. He rounded the bed and slid into the opposite side, pulling the sheets up around his waist. I mimicked his actions and pulled the sheets around my waist, also. Klaus opened his arm and I scooted across the bed until I was laid beside him. He rested his arm over my shoulder as I rested my head on his bare chest.
It wasn't long until I fell asleep to the gentle rising and falling of his chest. His heartbeat was like a lullaby, gently soothing me until I fell into darkness.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I thoroughly enjoyed writing it. Leave a comment to let me know what you thought.