Chapter 7
Jane opened her eyes slowly and blinked sluggishly at the dark ceiling. A strange humming surrounded her, and she could feel vibrations from something beneath her. Her temple throbbed and she lifted her hands to touch her head, only to pause. Her wrists were tied together with a zip-tie, painfully tight, and she grew confused before realizing that the humming noise she was hearing was a car driving on the road. That was what she was feeling as well, the movement of the car. It started coming back to her and she scowled, recognizing the car she was in.
Tyler had attacked her, and she had fought and screamed until he had knocked her out to subdue her. Now all those aches and pains of that fight were making themselves known once more and she felt nauseous from the dizziness of her head injury.
The older SUV swerved sharply without warning and Jane slid across the floorboard and into the other side of the trunk with a thump. Her already aching head throbbed again and she winced. Rolling onto her hands and knees was virtually impossible with Tyler's wild driving and she kept slipping back down and side to side. She finally gave up and curled up on her side, protecting her stomach. Tears stung her eyes and she bit her lip wondering what it was that Tyler wanted from her. She yawned tiredly and then closed her eyes, trying to rest a bit. But just as she started to drift off...the car came to an abrupt stop.
Klaus paced angrily. He wanted to go find Marcel and rid him of his limbs, but Elijah had made him stay put. Breathe, his older brother had told him, we don't know for sure that it was Marcel that did this. That hadn't calmed him or comforted him in any way. There was evidence to the contrary. His beloved's blood was splattered around the bathroom and the bedroom. He was beyond furious that Marcel would dare to come into his home and then had the audacity to rub it in his face that he had found the house to begin with. And to top it off, that he would dare lay a hand on Jane.
Elijah could sense his brother's dark, murderous mood and wisely choose not to rile him further by reminding him of Dorian's absence. The Hybrid was gone, and Elijah grew suspicious that this absence the coincided with Jane's. He doubted that Dorian would harm or kidnap Jane, he was suspicious of the fact that someone knew that he was Hybrid and had done something to him. Someone had been watching them.
Marcel's place was filled with shouting, fighting amateur vampires. Elijah looked at his brother who appeared ready for murder.
"Do not kill any of them." He warned. "We still don't know if Marcel is responsible for what happened or not."
Klaus ignored him, but he knew he had heard. Silently, they slid though the crowd undetected. The rambunctious fighters were in a circle surrounding two who were in mid-fight. It was a perfect opportunity. Elijah struck first and fast, knowing his brother's temper and growing impatience. He snapped the round's winner neck and let her crumple to the ground with a thud. The cheering vampires around him went silent and backed away a bit. Glaring from the spotlights that had lit up the fighting arena, Elijah found Marcel leaning against the top railing. The vampire looked confused and irritated.
"Where is she?" Elijah demanded. "Return her quickly or there will be casualties."
Marcel snorted and raised an eyebrow. "You gotta lot of nerve coming into my home and demanding anything from me. And threatening me for that matter."
Klaus stepped out of the shadows and the crowd muttered and moved further away as he approached. His eyes were narrowed and flashing gold, his fangs bared to any who got too close.
"You entered my home this evening." He said in an eerie calm voice that sent more scuttling away from him. Now Marcel nervously shifted. "And proceeded to take what is mine. You arrogantly told me of your excursion to my home and then I arrive to find evidence that you've taken from me."
"What are you talking about?" Marcel snapped. "What exactly are you accusing me of?"
Klaus snarled. "Either give her back to me now or I'll kill every vampire here, starting with you."
"Her? You mean Jane?" His frown disappeared and he looked genuinely troubled. "I just went to your house and spoke to her. That's all. She was perfectly fine when I left." Elijah could see that the vampire was telling the truth. His face was full of concern for the girl.
"Lies." Klaus hissed; his fangs bared. "Otherwise why would you got there or even look for where I stay? You've been biding your time and then struck when I least expected it. There was evidence you harmed her-"
"Whoa, wait a second. Don't go Hybrid on me." Marcel held up his hands. "I wouldn't harm her, Klaus. You know that. I don't harm innocents. Especially pregnant ones. Like I said, she was fine when I left."
"It wasn't Marcellus."
Eyes turned on the newcomers. Kol stepped out of the entryway, Dorian behind him. The latter was disheveled.
"What do you know, Kol?" Elijah questioned.
The younger Mikaelson looked at Klaus. "It was Tyler Lockwood."
Marcel tilted his head, having never heard that name before and saw Klaus rear back in anger.
"What?!" He bellowed and the few brave vampires that hadn't run away before now scattered out of sight as the Hybrid growled.
Jane yelped as the truck door was jerked open. Tyler glared down at her before reaching toward her.
"Don't touch me!" She shrieked as he grabbed her legs. She kicked at him and he growled lowly.
"Stop that or I'll knock your ass out again." He warned. He grabbed her legs again and jerked her toward him before tying her ankles with a zip-tie. That done, he bent down to lift her up in his arms.
"Put me down! Let go!" She cried out and beat at him with her tied hands.
"Shut up!" He snapped, holding her struggling form tightly. "Don't make me drop you." Knowing that if he did drop her, she'd have no way of protecting her baby bump from hitting the ground, she slumped in defeat. "That's better."
She glanced around at the darkened woods, listening to the sounds of the bayou and tried to figure out where she was. Tyler walked steadily on, knowing exactly where he was going.
Exhaustion hit her like a train after a while and she struggled to remain awake.
"What did you do to Dorian?" She asked to remain awake.
"You mean that poor guy you and Klaus suckered into servitude?"
"He wasn't suckered. He asked for it." She scowled.
"No one wants that." Tyler snorted. "And all I did was knock him out with vervain and wolfsbane."
"Why are you doing this, Tyler?" She asked quietly. "We haven't done anything. We haven't seen you in months."
"You know why. I've bided my time waiting for the opportunity to get back at him. He took everything from me and I'm going to do the same."
"Please don't-"
Tyler growled. "Just stop talking."
"How did you find us?"
He didn't respond and silence fell again. She fought hard to stay awake. Eventually, she couldn't and fell asleep, hoping that Tyler wouldn't harm her.
"Not the most attractive community, are they?" Elijah said, watching the gaggle of vampires brave enough to come back after Klaus explosive temper tantrum.
"You do realize that they can hear you, brother." Kol smirked.
"You do realize I don't care." He quipped back with a smirk of his own.
Klaus glanced at him briefly and then faced Dorian once again.
"And you didn't see anything?"
"No. Bastard darted me with like, five needles ...You can't find her?"
The Original looked away and Dorian sighed.
"So, now what?"
Marcel and a few of his vampires came towards them.
"You know Elijah, I liked you better in that box."
"Say that again, Marcellus." Kol glared at him.
"Easy, Kol."
Marcel eyed the younger brother and then turned to Klaus. "But, Klaus, my sire, you I owe the world, and I always show respect to my elders. I brought a witch. She'll help you find Jane."
The vampires behind him shoved Sabine forward.
"And since I control all the witches in this town, I brought you one. Sabine is the best guide in the Quarter. She'll help us."
Sabine turned to look at the Originals.
"Can you find her?" Kol asked.
"I can try." Sabine answered. "I'll need your blood, Klaus."
His wrist was offered to her in seconds and she held it above a map that Kol laid flat against a table. Elijah stood nearby, watching intently. Marcel had gone off to take care of his night walkers but promised to come back to help if they needed him.
Sabine cut Klaus' wrist and blood landed on the map. With her hand over the chart, she closed her eyes to concentrate.
Jane was jarred awake when she was roughly sat on a hard floor. She blinked at the early morning light, still pink in the sky and glanced around at her surroundings. She was sitting on a worn wooden porch, a little shack behind her. Across from her was a place that looked as if someone were living in a makeshift house of tarps and nearby were plenty of clotheslines, most with clothing on them. To her left was the edge of the bayou river, the water slowly moving.
Hearing footsteps, she turned her head to see Tyler coming towards her, a switchblade in his hand which he popped open. She scooted back from him, holding her still tied hands out in front of her.
"What are you going to do with that?"
"Depends on you." He said moodily and grabbed her ankles, using the blade to free her legs. She knew better than to kick him or he'd just zip-tie her ankles again and didn't want that. It still hurt from where he had done it earlier. He stepped back and put the blade away.
"Where are we?"
"The armpit of Louisiana."
Jane frowned.
"This is where the werewolves live isn't it?"
"Yeah, you know about them?"
"A little. From what Dorian told me."
He glanced around. "I still can't believe you ended up with that psycho. And now you're living with him and expecting his kid."
Jane sighed. "You never understood. I love him, Tyler. I always have."
"I used to think you had Stockholm syndrome or something." He muttered and started pacing. "He blackmailed you into leaving town and you wrote that stupid goodbye note. Then he "lets" you go only to try to force you to leave again. I liked you better with Damon."
Jane shook her head. "Damon loved Elena, there was nothing to keep him with me. And I fell in love with Klaus because of his good heart, Tyler, the one everyone refuses to see! Damon...We weren't meant to be, but with Klaus I feel whole."
"Yeah, I guess that Hybrid mark had nothing to do with it." He mocked, pacing in front of her. "He marked you, so you have no choice but to be with him."
Jane scowled. "Of course, I have a choice, but I chose Niklaus and I will always choose him!"
"You and that Hybrid baby." He nodded when she looked at him in shock. "Oh, I know all about it. I've been roaming around the bayou and I've heard some interesting things." He grabbed her arm and turned it to show off her star tattoo. "This, and the other tattoos you have mean you are revered as some kind of divine spirit. And this," He gestured to the woods around them. "Is all that is left of the ones who weren't run out."
A woman stepped out from behind the one of the clotheslines, her long blonde hair in a braid down her back.
"Please help me!" She said, standing up, but the woman darted into the trees.
He snorted at her attempt to call for help. "They won't help you. They've been in the woods hiding because they've been persecuted for decades by vampires. Not even the sight of you will bring them any closer."
A man rounded the corner of the shack, startling her, and she scrambled back, biting her lip.
He looked at her for a moment and then at Tyler. "Is that her?"
"Yeah, Dwayne." The Hybrid answered. "Get her inside."
"No!" Jane tried to run, but Dwyane caught her, dragging her towards the door. "No, let me go! No!"
Klaus paced as Sabine did her spell. His blood made a curving path along the map.
"She's in the back country, way past Houma, deep in the bayou." The witch told them and then pulled her hand back. That was all she could see.
Elijah moved closer to examine the map and then looked up at Sabine.
"I don't suppose you could be more precise."
"What's the matter Elijah? Worried a bit of splashing about in the bog will ruin your expensive shoes?" Klaus mocked.
Dorian rolled his eyes.
"As a matter of fact, after my recent confinement, I could use a decent stroll through the countryside." He said coolly.
Kol ignored his brothers. "Why would Lockwood take her out there?"
Sabine sighed. "There are stories of exiled werewolves, encampments." Her eyes shifted to Dorian. "You probably know of them."
"I know of some." He said quietly. "But they wouldn't harm her."
"How do you know this?" Elijah asked and the Hybrid shifted.
"Because we...we know what she is."
Klaus zeroed in on him. "I beg your pardon?"
"It's not like that!" Dorian raised his hands in defense against the stalking Original Hybrid. Elijah moved to block Klaus from getting too close. "Honest! My aunt sent me to watch her that's all. I didn't know you were going to bring her here."
"Her presence brings the wolves to her." Sabine murmured. "New Orleans is sacred ground for elementals and the longer she stays the more that presence grows."
The Hybrid nodded. "Jane is special to us too. We want to keep her safe. That's all. No one wants to hurt her."
Klaus only frowned.
"Have you found her scent?" Elijah asked, watching his brother's expression change.
"No...Tyler Lockwood's."
He led them to a beat-up old SUV and Klaus started pulling items out of it, holding them to his nose.
"This vehicle reeks of the disloyal Hybrid." He growled.
Elijah frowned. "And this is the same one who's pack harmed Jane by getting her to break their bonds?"
"Yes. The very same. Though, he didn't do it to her himself. He still feels what she feels." Klaus jumped onto the back of the car and pulled a blanket from the back. A faint trace of Jane was there, and he tossed it away, with a frown.
"Do you think that will stop him from harming her?"
His brother shook his head. "Perhaps it will give him pause, but I doubt it. His anger at me is too strong for that." Klaus kept snooping.
"And what exactly did you do?"
"I didn't give him much choice in the matter of becoming a Hybrid, I'll admit. He was loyal in the beginning, but he grew insubordinate, turned the others against me."
"So, they hurt Jane. Why do I suspect that this is the least of your offences?" Elijah pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Well, there was the incident with his mother."
"You killed his mother, wonderful."
"He ran from me like a coward! He needed to be taught a lesson!"
Elijah scoffed. "And what lesson will you be taught, Niklaus, when he ends up harming Jane in retaliation? Or worse. Your problems have become hers." He continued. "You cannot be reckless any longer. You have a child to think of and a young fiancée. Who, I might remind you, is human?"
"Do you love her, Elijah? Is that why you've been barking orders since your return, making me to look like the villain?" Klaus spat madly.
"I care for her, yes." His brother frowned at the sudden hostility. "There is no need to be jealous. I love her as a sister. She loves you and you alone. You won her affection."
"Forget it." He said and looked away quickly.
Elijah tilted his head. "What is troubling you, Niklaus?"
"Dorian."
"You think he loves her."
"I know he does." Klaus muttered with hints of jealousy. "I've seen him around her, doting on her much more than he should."
"That's why you sent him and Kol in the other direction. Well I can see how that happened, she's a beautiful girl." He teased and then sighed when his brother glared, unamused. "We will talk more after Jane has been brought home, safely."
"No, the conversation is over. I'll kill Tyler Lockwood myself." He hissed and zoomed off, leaving Elijah to stare after him.
Jane jerked on her trapped wrists. Dwayne had used another zip-tie and tied her to the old broken heater in the little shack.
Tyler came back into the cabin and she glared up at him.
"Why did you bring me here? Whatever you plan on doing, I wouldn't. Klaus will kill you and so will the rest of my family."
He snorted her. "Your family? They're a bunch of psychos and murderers, Jane. And what makes you think I'm afraid to die?" He grabbed a bag out of the floor and unzipped it, pulling out something, Jane couldn't see. "Besides, Klaus is the reason you're here."
She frowned. "What?"
Dwayne walked back inside and Tyler looked at him.
"You ready for this?"
The man nodded and looked at Jane. "Let's do it."
Tyler pulled a large needle from his bag and Jane tensed.
"What-what's that for?" She asked fearfully, shuffling back as far as she could. "Get away." She was scared of needles and seeing one that big made her panic. "Tyler, please don't!" She sobbed, tears rolling down her cheeks and she trembled as he moved closer. Dwayne took her arms and held her still, pulling her hands away from her stomach and Jane shook her head, realizing where he was going to jab that needle.
"No, please!"
The Hybrid crouched in front of her and she blinked through blurry vision.
"You can't stop me, Jane. Remember? We took care of that little problem last night."
She bit her lip, remembering that he had made her release him. He no longer felt what she did and she no longer had the ability to make him stop.
"Klaus destroyed everything good in my life!" Tyler continued. "So, I'm going to take the thing he wants most."
"No, no, please!" Jane screamed as he jabbed the needle into her stomach, withdrawing blood. Once, the syringe was filled just a bit Tyler backed away and Dwyane released her arms. Sobbing, Jane cradled her baby bump, hoping that it hadn't harmed the baby.
Tyler glanced back at her, glad that no guilt plummeted into his gut from the horrified look on her face. He felt a little something of course. She was still Jane. The girl he had grown up with and now she was pregnant, but... She was with him. Having his baby. Klaus had claimed her as his mate and it was too late to stop it.
Still shaking, she watched him warily as he turned and jabbed the needle into Dwayne's neck. A werewolf, Jane realized. The werewolf groaned from the pain and then Tyler snapped his neck. The girl screamed as he hit the floor at her feet.
The Hybrid took Dwayne's body and pulled him to the side.
"Don't look so judgey. Dwayne knew what he was getting into. He volunteered."
Jane swallowed thickly wishing she had some water or something to eat even.
"For murder?" She scowled at him.
"Dwayne is a werewolf that died with your blood in his system, the same blood you share with your Hybrid baby."
Jane sniffed and wiped at her eyes. "Wait...Are you saying that the baby can make Hybrids? That she is a Hybrid?"
Tyler leaned back against the wall. "I was with a group of werewolves and one of them was tight with a witch. Anyway, like you she had visions. She had one about your baby. Klaus can use it's blood to make a Hybrid army."
"That's bullshit, Ty." She scowled. "That's just another witch lie. They are all liars, especially around here. I can't believe that you would think he'd do that to our baby."
"Wouldn't he, Jane? It's Klaus Mikaelson, killer of men, women, and puppies-All the sudden wants to be a daddy? I don't think so."
"He wouldn't hurt our baby. He loves her." She told him, eyes tearing up. Tyler crouched in front of her.
"Hybrids can walk in the sun. Their bite is lethal to vampires. They'll overrun New Orleans by the end of the week."
"How noble of you to stop a war." Jane snapped. "Unfortunately for you, that's not ever going to happen!"
"Won't it, Jane? How can you still protect him? Still be so loyal to him?" He patted her cheek and she jerked away from him. "If I were you, I'd get rid of it and get the hell out of here."
"What? No. I would never do that." She hissed at him. "You better not touch my baby!"
Tyler pursed his lips. "I'm sorry, Jane, but you and your baby are going to cause a lot of problems for me."
Jane yelped as Dwayne sat up with a gasp.
"You're going have to feed from her." Tyler told him, pointing at Jane.
"What? No!" She flinched back against the wall.
"You're the elemental." Tyler shrugged. "Sorry." With a knife, he withdrew from the duffel bag, he went towards her and Jane winced as he cut her neck. Blood trickled down her skin and Dwayne eyed her.
With a growl he came at her and Jane screamed. He tore into her neck and she kicked at him with her feet, but it was no use. After a few more sickly pulls, he backed away, growling in agony.
"Dwayne, easy." Tyler said, trying to calm the transforming werewolf. The werewolf went outside, groaning and rolling on the ground. Tyler gave her a look before darting outside to help calm him down.
Jane spotted Tyler's dropped knife and tried to reach for it with her foot. It was no use; it was too far away. Looking around, she spotted pieces of a broken chair and she took one of the broken legs, tucking it under her shirt.
Elijah grabbed the intruder and slammed her against a tree.
"Who are you?" He demanded.
"Hayley." She said and he frowned.
"The same one who helped orchestrate the Hybrids rebellion against Klaus? The same one who was in league with Katherine?"
"Yes, I did those things." She admitted and then sighed. "I'm just looking for Tyler before he does something crazy."
"Crazy as in what?" Elijah demanded, narrowing his eyes.
"Well, he's got this theory in his head and if happens to be true..."
Elijah released her. "Explain."
Jane swallowed as Tyler came back inside.
"He's a Hybrid?"
"Yes."
He walked over to stand above her.
"If Klaus gets a hold of you, gets that kid...He wins."
Jane watched him warily, heart hammering in her chest.
"He won't do that, Tyler. He's not like that. He loves her. He loves our daughter."
"Stop it!" Tyler scowled. "You think telling me it's a girl makes a difference? It might have if Dwayne wasn't a Hybrid, but he is. You think Klaus cares either way?"
Tears slipped down her cheeks again.
"Please let go now. You got what you wanted."
"I told you." He walked towards her again, a knife in hand. "He took everything from me and I'm going to return the favor."
Jane jerked the table leg out from under her shirt when he made to get too close with the knife and she stabbed him in the abdomen.
"Damnit, Jane! That was stupid!" He scowled and tugged the wood loose. Giving it a sling across the room, he started toward her again and she curled into a ball.
Jane sobbed. "No! Please!" She jerked on her ties again, wincing as blood went down her wrists from the plastic digging into her skin. It was no use, she was stuck. Tyler was going to kill her.
Dwayne burst in, growling at Tyler. "Get away from her."
"What do you care?" He scoffed.
"I said get away from her." The newly made Hybrid snarled.
Frowning, he waved a hand. "You got what you wanted now get lost!"
Jane wiped at her eyes and blinked, encouraged. "Dwayne, he said he hurt me!"
Tyler came to the same conclusion and acted fast. "Shut up!" He slapped her and she cried out, blood coming from her lip.
"Hey!" Dwayne tackled Tyler, the knife fell from his hand.
While the Hybrids were fighting, Jane reached for the knife, thankful that her fingers managed to touch it. Slowly she dragged it closer and then used it to free herself. With the zip-ties cut loose, she was able to get to her feet and run for the door.
She heard the sickening sound of a heart being ripped from a chest and knew it was Dwayne. She didn't hesitate to run as fast as she could towards the woods. Tyler wouldn't be far behind her.
Jane hid in a tent, hoping that the clothing and things inside, would mask her scent so he wouldn't find her. She slid under the blankets and tried to control her breathing.
"Jane! Don't make this harder than it has to be!" Tyler snapped, slapping at the makeshift tents. He knew she was around. She smelt of blood.
"Give up now…"
He spotted her foot and grabbed it, pulling her out of the tent and she screamed. Jane twisted around and hissed at him savagely. He growled back.
"Don't you touch me or my baby!" She jabbed him in the neck with the knife she had freed herself with.
Tyler cried out and she pulled away from him, running with the knife still in hand. She fell when her foot got caught by a fallen branch and she managed to not hit her stomach on the ground. Her maneuvering however made her ankle twist and pain shot up her leg.
"Ah, dammit! Stop stabbing me!" He snarled. Rubbing at his neck, he zipped after her and grabbed her again from her fallen position.
Jane screamed and kicked her legs, wincing at the pain in her sprained ankle. "Let me go!" She tried to jab him again, but he blocked her, grabbing both of her wrists. She shrieked as he jerked her closer, making her lose hold of the knife.
"Stop fighting me!"
Baring her fangs, she bit his wrist, drawing blood and he cried out. She was triumphant until it felt as though a sledgehammer hit her face and she was knocked to the ground, landing on her butt. Her cheek throbbed from Tyler's punch and already she could feel it swelling, her vision blurred by tears of pain. He was stalking over to her again albeit slower because of whatever her bite was doing to him.
"That was very, very stupid." He growled, eyes burning yellow and he grabbed her arm with a fierce grip.
"Let me go! Let me go!"
He hauled her over to metal tub where someone would wash clothes in, Jane saw where he was headed and fought his grip harder. It was still filled with water from precipitation. Ignoring her screaming and fighting him, he shoved her head under the water, holding her head down. Her split lip stung from the water, as did the newly formed bruise under her eye and she shivered from the cold water soaking her shirt and hair. Jane beat at the tub, trying to free herself and get air. She was feeling ready to suck in water and the thought of drowning in the wash tub was horrible.
Tyler jerked her head back when she stopped struggling so much. She moaned, coughing and gasping for air.
"Now stop fighting me." He snapped and jerked her to her feet. She was shivering from having her top half soaked with water, and her hair dripped down her back.
"No, let me go!" She exclaimed, but her movements didn't match her shout. She was out of energy. Tears spilled down her cheeks, making warm tracks.
He growled slightly and shut his eyes, she could see he was in pain from her bite.
"What the hell did you do to me?"
"What you deserve." She answered back.
"I'm sorry, Jane. I don't want it to be this way, but I promise that I'll end it quick." He spun her around, a hand around her throat, ready to snap her neck. She closed her eyes, trying to stifle a sob. She was too exhausted to fight him any longer.
"Quite an offer."
Tyler stiffened at the sound of Klaus' cool voice and Jane opened her eyes to see him through her still blurry vision. "Though not one I'll be extending to you." His voice was calm, but his body was tense.
"Klaus." He greeted.
"Hello, Tyler. You're looking well." His eyes flickered to Jane, assessing her for damage and taking note of the many injuries and her wet upper half. His eyes took in the tub and flashed gold before glaring at Tyler. "I aim to change that. Let the girl go." Tyler released her, shoving her away. She toppled backward landing on a pile of blankets.
"Asshole!" She snapped and was ignored.
"Threatening a pregnant girl in order to extract revenge against me. I never expected you to sink so low." Klaus moved closer, blocking Jane from Tyler's view as the Hybrid ducked back to avoid being in his proximity. "I admit. I'm impressed."
"I used to hang out with you. I guess something rubbed off." Tyler spat.
"What would your mother say if she saw what you've become? It's too bad I can't ask her."
Tyler snarled and went for him, but Klaus batted him back, sending him flying. Tyler slammed against a tree.
"Come on mate, give it a bit more effort." He taunted. "I want to enjoy myself."
The teenage Hybrid zoomed off and Klaus smirked.
He turned to Jane. "Stay here, love. I'll be back."
"But-"
He was gone in seconds and she scowled. Grabbing a blanket, she wrapped it around herself and limped back toward the cabin Tyler had held her in. It was better than sitting in the woods by herself.
Jane looked up from the steps when Klaus stepped out of the trees.
"I thought I told you to stay put." He stated as he approached the cabin. He looked at Jane who looked around as if expecting to see pieces of Tyler Lockwood around. "I let him go." He told her and she nodded once.
"I wasn't staying there in the woods by myself." She muttered and he grimaced.
He came to stand in front of her.
"Are you all right, my love?" He cupped her chin, turning her face to examine her closer than before. She was cold and he took a moment to wrap the blanket around her tighter. He stroked her bruised cheek gently. "I should have killed him." Tears spilled down her cheeks and she hugged herself to him. He wrapped his arms around her trembling form and stroked her back. "There, there, my love. It's all right." He soothed. She was crying against his chest. "I've got you."
"I'm sorry." She sniffled and he shook his head.
"Don't be, love. It's all right. You've been through a lot."
"He wanted to kill our baby. He wanted to hurt her."
He pressed his face against her hair.
"Is the baby unharmed?"
Jane looked at her stomach. "I-I don't know. I think so…" She bit her lip anxiously. "He jabbed me with a really big needle. What if he hurt her?" He moved back a bit, kneeling and lifting her shirt to examine her belly. There was a spot of blood and a darkening bruise surrounding the spot. He growled angrily and then rested his head against her, his ear pressed to her belly. The baby's heartbeat was normal, there was no indication that she had been disturbed by Tyler, at least not one he could hear.
"I think she's all right." He murmured and kissed the spot tenderly. Jane sighed with relief as he stood back up. "I'm sure everything is fine, sweetheart. I would like to ask about this, however." He stepped over to the side of the porch and toed Dwayne with his booted foot, pushing his lifeless body off the porch of cabin. Jane winced as the dead body hit the dirt. "This appears to be the body of a Hybrid."
"It worked? So, it's true then."
Jane and Klaus turned to see Elijah, Kol, and Dorian emerged from the trees.
It was Kol who had spoken.
"The Hybrid's name was Dwayne." Dorian muttered. "He was from a pack up north."
"Well, whoever he was, I didn't sire him. Any idea how that's possible?" Klaus inquired, half turning to Jane.
The girl opened her mouth to respond.
"As if you didn't already know." Kol hissed and Elijah pulled him back. Both of their expressions were angry.
Jane scowled. "Kol?!"
The trio across from them look angry and Jane frowned.
Klaus smirked from one person to the next. "Ah, aren't you all fast friends. Well come on then, what horrible accusation have you conspired to levy against me."
"Don't be dramatic. No one is saying anything bad, right?" Jane looked at them earnestly. Kol and Elijah exchanged looks.
"Jane, Tyler Lockwood brought you here to test a theory."
"Yeah, that he got from a psychotic witch." She exclaimed and Klaus tucked her behind him, not liking that it was one against three. "He's just angry and bitter. It doesn't mean anything."
"Didn't it?" Dorian stated. "Look at poor Dwayne."
"Well, I didn't kill him! Tyler did!" She scoffed.
"And just how did that happen, Jane?"
"Enough." Klaus snapped. "What theory?"
"That your baby's blood could be used to sire Hybrids." Elijah narrowed his eyes at his brother. Klaus' smirk faded.
"He claims you knew of it." Kol added.
Jane limped forward. "Tyler just tried to murder me." She retorted. "Not a reliable source."
"Furthermore." Elijah continued over her and Jane huffed. "That you would use this knowledge to build an army."
Jane bit her lip before releasing it quickly, the split was throbbing now. "That's-that's what happened to Dwayne." The girl said softly. "He was injected with my blood, because I share it with the baby. Then Tyler killed him and he woke up and bit me. He...He was sired to me."
Kol raised an eyebrow.
Klaus looked offended and hurt as he gazed at his brothers. "And, of course, you believe it's true. I mean why else would I be interested in my own flesh and blood." He sounded upset and Jane put a hand on his arm.
"They don't think that. They don't." She turned to look at them. "Do you?" Not one of them corrected her.
"How did you even know? I hadn't even told Klaus yet."
Elijah frowned. "Hayley Marshal was here, searching for Tyler. Hoping to stop him from harming you."
"And you believe her?" Jane scowled. "She's the reason the Hybrids hurt me! And the reason Tyler was unsired from Klaus to begin with!"
"She knows that and she wouldn't have risked her safety if she wasn't sure."
Jane shook her head. "Well, it's not true."
Klaus, livid, snarled: "An idiotic, little crybaby points his finger at me and my own brothers fall in line. Eager to believe it. How quickly you assume the worst of me."
"Oh, spare me your indignation." Elijah scoffed. "When have you ever demonstrated Jane's safety over your own selfish pursuits since we came to this town? Most of your endeavors have resulted in some kind of destruction that you've caused her. Look at what you're feud with Tyler did. He harmed her."
Jane frowned. "Elijah, you of all people should know that Klaus has been trying. That he's gotten better at not lashing out and now you're accusing him of having a secret agenda with our baby?" She was horrified. "Kol?"
"It's not so farfetched little love." He said angrily. "He's done worse."
Jane gaped at him and then looked at Dorian. "Dorian?"
"Don't ask him." Klaus sneered. "He's been infatuated with you since day one."
"What?" She said in confusion.
Dorian's face heated and he shifted when Jane looked at him.
Klaus scoffed at the three of them. "My big brother. So, you doubt my intentions. Well, I can't say I'm surprised. Standing beside the noble Elijah how can I be anything other than the lesser brother? A liar, a manipulator…A bastard?"
"Klaus, don't say that." Jane frowned at him.
"And Kol, let's not forget you. You the lesser of two evils, yes?" Kol didn't respond. "That's all I am to you, isn't it, brothers?" He looked from Kol to Elijah. Seeds of doubt trickling through the elder brother's anger. Kol noticed Jane's shiny eyes full of unshed tears. They were upsetting her, but were they right? Had Klaus finally crossed a line and she just couldn't see it?
"To Rebekah? And Finn even? And no doubt my child will, as well."
"No, that's not true." Jane took his arm. "Klaus." He shook her touch off.
Elijah hesitated. "Brother, if I-"
Klaus put a hand on his shoulder, silencing him and Jane watched him with apprehension. He was furious and hurt, two emotions that clashed and now that Klaus was worked up there was no telling what he'd say or do.
"We have said all that needs to be said, brother. I shall play the role I've been given." He turned and sank his fangs into Elijah's neck, making his brother cry out. Jane watched in horror as he did the same to Kol and then snapped Dorian's neck harder than he should have.
"Niklaus!" She reprimanded.
"You three enjoy each other's company." He said coldly. "You'll have much to bond over. Once the hallucinations and dementia set in."
"You'll never change, Nik." Kol hissed from his hunched over position.
"Consider the bites my parting gifts." He stalked off toward the trees, leaving Jane to stare at the trio in shock.
"Elijah, why?"
He glanced at her and sighed. "You best go with him, Jane."
"Klaus, you come back here right now!" Jane yelled after him as she limped through the trees. She was following him though it was almost impossible to keep up with his stride that was five times faster than a human's and it didn't help she was pregnant and injured. "Niklaus! We need to talk!"
Her already injured foot caught a root and she yelped, stumbling over it and a pair of hands were on her instantly, keeping her from falling face down into the muddy earth.
"Are you all right?" Klaus asked, his voice no longer cold and detached.
"No." She snapped and pulled away from him, staggering a bit and his hand shot out to steady her again. He frowned.
"I am not sorry for what I did."
"I didn't think you were." She stated and narrowed her eyes. "We need to talk about it though."
He shook his head. "Not here."
"Why? You left your brothers in agony. There is nowhere else to go."
"Very well then." He said, voice cold and detached once again. "What is it you wish to speak about?"
She scowled. "Oh, no you don't." She snapped. "You know very well what."
"Don't start with me about Tyler-"
"No, I don't care about Tyler! What will happen to Elijah and Kol?"
He stiffened. "Nothing but hours of pain and misery. Nothing more than they both deserve."
Jane sighed. "Klaus-"
"They both accused me of having an ulterior motive with my child." He hissed.
"And that means you attack your own siblings?"
"Are you afraid that I would harm the baby? Or you? Perhaps you'd rather stay out here as well."
She gaped at him and then frowned.
"I was almost killed today, and someone is trying to kill our baby again." She snapped at him. "Excuse me for being concerned for the people who are supposed to be on our side!"
Klaus heaved a sigh. "I'm sorry, love. I'm not angry at you."
"Well, it sure as hell feels like it." She scowled at him. "But I'm too tired to argue with you right now."
His expression softened when she wiped at her suddenly damp eyes.
"I'm scared, Klaus, okay? I'm scared." She admitted. The past few days were catching up to her and she let out a small sob.
He moved over to her. "Oh, sweetheart. It's all right." He soothed and held her close to him as she cried into his chest. "It'll be all right, my love. Don't cry."
"It's just too much." She sobbed. "Yesterday and today...I can't help it."
He pressed his face against her hair. "I know, my love. I know."
She was leaning against him tiredly, another reason for her tears. That and she was still upset about his siblings as well. He needed to get her home.
"Can we just go home? I don't want to be out here anymore. I'm cold and hungry and tired."
"Of course." He nodded. Fixing the blanket around her, he scooped her up in his arms. Exhausted, she was asleep before they reached the edge of the bayou.
"I thought you were leaving us." He remarked, his back to her.
Rebekah tilted her head, eyeing him as he stared out of the living room window. "We both know this family can barely function without me." She glanced around. "Where is everyone? I assume you found Jane?"
"Yes. She's resting upstairs. She's too exhausted to do much else. Elijah, Kol, and Dorian I left in the bayou."
His sister frowned and sat down. "Why?"
"We had a bit of a row. They've decided to gang up and conspire against me. So, one thing led to another, and I gave out two bites and a snapped neck."
Rebekah gaped at him, before scowling. "Daggering, biting, deserting. Does your wickedness never end?" She exclaimed.
He scowled back at her. "My wickedness is self-preservation, and I wouldn't have to go to such lengths were I not beset on all sides by incompetence and treachery. Now that our brothers have abandoned us, I'll be needing you in my plot against Marcel." He pointed at her. "Don't expect to be leaving town any time soon."
She shook her head in disgust, feeling horrified that her brothers were left to suffer. "Why should I help you after what you did to Kol and Elijah?"
"You're my family." He said flippantly as if it were the obvious answer. Rebekah hated him right then. Marcel had the right idea of burying him away, teaching him the lessons he loved to dish out. "And besides, who better to spy on Marcel than the girl he so clearly loves? You can tell me all his secrets, like how did he find us here, huh? Any idea about that little sister?"
His questions weren't directly aimed at her, but she got the gist all the same.
She scoffed at him. "How should I know why Marcel does what he does?"
He snorted and waved a hand. That was when she realized that he was half intoxicated. It explained his dismissive behavior. And she felt that he had no business trying to take care of Jane.
"You think I don't know about your engineered run-ins all over the Quarter." He mocked and took another long drink from his glass. "I know you've had private chats with him. So just tell me what secrets he's confided in you. is he plotting against me?"
She stared at him for several seconds, trying to organize her thoughts.
"My poor brother, so paranoid. Marcel knows nothing." She said at last, deciding to play along with his game, while plotting her own plan. "He's not plotting against you. He simply thinks you're in a quarrel in need of making up."
Klaus nodded after studying her face. He was too drunk to look too closely and even if he hadn't been, Rebekah had always been able to school her features.
"Perhaps we will." He agreed. "After all, you know I'm capable of forgiving those who disappoint me soon as they've seen the error of their ways and suffered for them. You'd do well to remember that." The warning sent chills down her spine, but she refused to show fear.
"Jane will be happy that you've stayed."
"Speaking of happiness, I doubt she is happy about what you've done." She remarked, hoping to shame him.
No such luck. He simply snorted dismissively. "No, but she's upset at their abandonment of us."
Us? No, Nik, they've given up on you.
She kept her thoughts to herself.
She peered in at Jane to see her lying on her side, a hand on her belly.
"Heard you've had a hard time, sweets."
Jane lifted her head, smiling. "Rebekah! You came back!"
"Of course, I did! The moment, Elijah told me something had happened."
She came to sit on the bed next to her.
At the mention of his name, Jane glanced down. "He...he and Kol."
"Nik told me. The smug asshole."
"They think he knew. He didn't, Bekah. He didn't."
Rebekah only hugged Jane. "I'm sure he didn't darling." She wasn't so sure.
She stroked the girl's hair. "Are you all right?" She cupped the girl's face taking in her beaten face. "Who did that to you?"
"Tyler Lockwood."
"The first Hybrid?"
Jane nodded and then tears sprung up in her eyes.
"Everyone keeps trying to hurt her, Bekah."
The Original's face softened, and she rocked Jane gently.
"Oh, it's all right, darling. It's going to be all right." She promised and held the girl closer. "I won't let anyone else hurt you."
Marcel leaned back in his chair. Behind him Diego paced eyeing the newcomer with a critic expression.
"You wanna make a deal with me, you gotta offer me something. I already know about Jane, the little seer."
Tyler snorted and rubbed at his aching wrist. Jane's bite had left him disoriented for several hours and was just now feeling a bit better.
"Well, here's something you don't know."
"Jane is something supernatural."
Marcel frowned. "I know she's a seer and something else."
"That something else? Is an elemental. A witch magic enhancer."
Marcel's eyes widened and then narrowed. "What does that mean exactly?"
"It means her blood is special to witches. Helps their magic." Tyler smirked. "I bet they told you some story about that baby in her stomach too."
At that, the vampire raised an eyebrow.
"I thought so. That baby of hers is Klaus' because she's got werewolf in her too." Tyler unwrapped his sleeve. "She bit me. Her bite is just as deadly as Klaus' if not more so." Diego shifted behind.
"We ought to kill her." He muttered and Marcel sat still, processing the information as he gazed at the black veins coming from the little punctures.
"If that baby is born it'll be the end of the vampire species. It's Hybrid like it's father." He sneered. "And the witches of your city will have magic for a long, long time as long as Jane's alive for them to get blood from." Tyler added.
Marcel found himself in a dilemma and he wasn't sure what to do.
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