I'm sorry this guy took a while lol! I just couldn't figure out how I wanted a lot of stuff to play out. Plus it's winter over here and my GOD my fingers were freezing for half the day! They just didn't want to play the game!
Thank you so much for the support as always! I must say; SakuraPheonix13: Thank you sooooooo much. I was ecstatic to read your reviews! I really appreciate it! Your question about Alaric is 100% valid and if all goes well then he shall be popping up in the next few chapters! I've been utilising the wiki's Timeline more than anything and it blew my mind that almost 2 months went by before Alaric got the job. WTF did they do for that time? Study period? Was there someone else there that has completely escaped my memory? That's a long ass time without a teacher lol!
Obviously everything is happening very fast because I'm impatient (lol). There will be some time skips but not big ones; just couple days here and there because we'll be moving on to the tea party and Halloween soon. Plus we have Klaus things to happen!
As always, anything to do with The Originals series, I am essentially making up because I've not touched a single episode of that ahaha! I'm playing that kind of stuff sentence by sentence.
AS ALWAYS; reviews are inspiring. I was actually going to push this chapter back a day but I couldn't after reading the reviews from people genuinely enjoying what I'm writing.
It's… addicting.
I apologise for any and all mistakes; I was extremely slack with this chapter's editing. I just tried to edit as I went. You watch the number of mistakes triple ugh lol!
Enjoy!
Chapter 21
Damon Salvatore was a thorn in her fucking ass.
Katherine scowled down at her phone, her cunning mind plotting as she processed Isobel's words.
If the tomb wasn't already open, it would be soon.
As soon as one of those vampires came into contact with the outside world, her plot to fake her death will have been for nothing.
Katherine snarled.
Over the years she'd seen how obsessed the blue-eyed Salvatore was; at least, when she'd seen him if he happened to be with Stefan during her regular check-ins. He'd always been entertaining and his love for her had done wonders for her vanity.
He was lucky he was hot.
She would have had his heart for this if he were anyone else.
Except for Stefan.
If only Stefan had been the one the be so in love with her.
She bit her lip as she thought of the man who had captured as much of her heart as she'd willingly give anyone ever again.
He, too, was in Mystic Falls.
The town in which her doppelganger resided.
Her grip on her phone tightened as she thought on what to do. She needed to bump up her plans with the werewolf; not only because of the constant threat of Klaus, but because she couldn't afford for Stefan to fall in love with her boring copy.
"Kathy?"
"In here, Mason," she called over her shoulder, tucking her phone away and turning with a caring smile at the ready.
She'd already planted the seed about the Sun and Moon curse. Mason had clung onto the hope for a cure desperately after experiencing his first shift.
She'd finally buy her freedom and take Stefan with her.
She'd make sure of it.
*TVDM*
"Elena will be fine," Lia sighed as she rolled her eyes at the human boy as they walked into school early. "I won't let her stay dead; there are so many ways to bring her back to life, it's not even funny. Besides, if I can get my hands on this moonstone and get a read on it, I might be able to break the curse without all the death and chanting and drama."
Jeremy nodded his acceptance, still a little nervous at the potential need for his only sister's death, no matter how temporarily, but always willing to trust Lia. Currently though, the curse wasn't the his only problem regarding Elena.
"She hasn't spoken to me since she came home last night," Jeremy sighed as he followed the mermaid until they stopped by Caroline's locker. The halls were deserted, the faculty the only ones on the premises this early in the morning. "She just looked at me like she was seeing as ghost before running away. She shut herself in her room all night."
Lia halted her movements, her arm freezing inside the huge bag she'd been digging around in. "Ah."
"Ah? What's 'ah?'" Jeremy frowned, grabbing the sides of the garbage bag and holding them open so that Lia could dive inside.
"Well, I may have egged her and her lover on to go take a peek inside the tomb," Lia confessed, her sheepish attitude turning indignant at the sight of Jeremy's unimpressed eyebrow. "You can't judge me! She was wearing judgy eyes and was all; 'I bet you think you're so awesome being so evil,' and I was like 'uh, have you met me? Evil or not, I rock,' and she was all 'evil mosquitoes will nom nom the town folk!' and I was all 'stress less or your forehead will look like Stefo's' and she was all-"
"OK, OK," Jeremy shook his head at the poor rendition of the conversation she'd had yesterday. "So, she saw the destruction you left behind?"
"Yeah," Lia grinned awkwardly as she pulled out a bunch of lavender, pastel pink and powder blue streamers, wrap and balloons. "Here, get blowing. Anyway, it's no wonder she quiet and weird with you. She was probably freaked out that you choose to hang out with me and my monster stomper ways willingly. I ruined my second favourite pair of boots that night; temporarily, of course. Magic is fashion's friend. But, yeah, the mess I left kind of makes Freddie Kruger look like a tattoo artist."
Jeremy paused mid-blow as that thought sunk in. He pulled a grimace of disgust as he lowered the half-full balloon. "Gross."
"Shut up," Lia rolled her eyes, opening Caroline's locker and decorating to her heart's content. "I hope no one told Caroline about this."
"They won't, you know that," Jeremy rolled his eyes as he tied off the balloon. "I wonder if she even remembers it's her birthday."
"With everything that's been going on, it wouldn't surprise me, but at the same time, this is Caroline," Lia gave Jeremy a look of disbelief. "She probably owns 3 planners and has alarms set for every event ever, not to mention her brain is like a steel trap. Add to that, it's the one day a year where she has complete authority over everyone she knows; I'm actually going to be extremely surprised if she's forgotten."
Jeremy laughed his agreement as he tied off another balloon and tossed it by their feet. "Oh, before I forget; I have to go home tonight."
Lia gaped. "What, why?! Its Care's birthday! We have plans! Grill plans!"
"I know, and I'll be at the party, but Jenna text me yesterday night telling me that Uncle John's back," the teen rolled his eyes. "She then text me this morning to tell me that I better come home if I ever want to see the man again. I told her I'd be there tonight."
Lia hummed sadly and pouted but accepted the inevitable departure of the Gilbert from her house.
"It won't be for long," Jeremy chuckled fondly, pulling the emotional little beauty into his side.
"But it's so far away," Lia groaned dramatically, her arms tightening around the boy's waist.
"I suppose we shall see if our friendship withstands the test of separation," Jeremy pressed his lips together solemnly. "Besides, don't they say 'if you love someone, let them go?'"
Lia nodded, her sparkling eyes ruining her serious expression. "Ah, yes. 'If they come back to you, you've succeeded in honing a positive emotional and psychological response toward you.' Have you read, 'So, you want to get down with the Stockholm? A syndrome for all relationships,' too?"
Jeremy barked a surprised laugh. "Oh, yeah. It was my backup plan if you ever sent me away. I even cleaned out the basement, ready for your stay."
"Naw," Lia beamed. "I don't need a syndrome to tell me that you'll always be the first mate to my captain."
Jeremy blinked. "Wait, you're putting me in second place? The side-kick to your hero? The sidecar to your scooter?"
"Of course," Lia frowned at him like he was an idiot as she pulled away. "Loren's the apple to my pie. I love you, Mimi, truly, but even you have to admit that I'm the Sulley to your Mike Wazowski on the cover of Business Shriek. I thought you knew."
Lia dropped the decorations with a squeal as Jeremy lunged, grabbing her around the waist and digging his fingers into her sides. She shrieked in laughter, her deep-belly bells echoing around the empty hall. She finally got free and turned the tables, sending the teen into fits of giggles.
When they got back to work, they were 10 minutes behind schedule, red-faced and teary-eyed. They finished up with the locker and quickly ran to the first class on Care's timetable to draw on the board. Quickly writing their birthday message, they repeated the process on each class's board before heading into the cafeteria. Heading for their usual spot, the pair got to work tying ribbons to one of the chair's and covering the table with a pink cloth with white lace over it.
"Hey," Lia frowned, smoothing out a fold in the material. "You think your uncle is in the know?"
Jeremy thought for a second and nodded firmly. "Definitely. He left with my dad's ring and I'm pretty sure he's mentioned vampires before when I was a kid."
"Oooh," Lia grinned gleefully. "If he makes me mad, can I painfully warn him to never do it again?"
Jeremy offered a deadpanned stare. "Lia. You're a mermaid. Less bloodlust and more singing and thing-a-ma-bobs, if you please."
Lia laughed.
It was still early when they finished their decorating. Lia grabbed a hold of Jeremy and ran them to his house so they could collect the presents they'd hidden away.
"I bet you Caroline will cry before first period," Jeremy smirked over his shoulder as he opened the front door of the Gilbert residence.
"I hope not," Lia grimaced at the thought. "Can you image how much of a beating my arm will take? She'll never forgive me for being the reason her face is red and puffy on her most important day."
Jeremy laughed, rolling his eyes at the dramatic image.
"Jeremy."
The boy groaned silently, turning his head as he looked at his uncle who'd just come from the kitchen.
"Uncle John," Jeremy nodded with a slight smile. "I didn't think anyone would be up yet."
John just smiled as his eyes wandered to the girl he'd heard so much about from Jenna.
He was immediately cautious.
Her beauty unnerved him and her eyes set his teeth on edge.
"I don't think I've met your friend," John commented pointedly.
"You've no doubt heard about me, though," Lia smiled charmingly, her English accent becoming more pronounced. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr Gilbert."
John's eyebrow rose. "Charmed, I'm sure. Kaliope, I assume?"
"Of course," hey green eyes sparkled.
Jeremy couldn't help but groan. "Don't do that, now she knows that she's been the centre of at least one discussion."
"Uh, Mimi," Lia raised her brow in exasperation. "Have you seen me? Of course, I have. People that don't talk about me simply haven't met me yet."
John couldn't stop the amused twitch of his lip if he'd wanted to.
"I can see where my nephew's new-found confidence comes from," John mused as his gaze flickered between the pair. He wasn't lying, either; Jeremy stood tall, his chin held high and the weight he'd worn during Gray and Miranda's funeral had vanished.
"Mimi is worth so much more than anything this town has to offer," Lia's declaration held nothing by pure belief as she gazed at the boy fondly. John couldn't take his eyes off the way his brother's only son stood even taller, an almost-sheepish yet no less proud smile crossing his slightly pink features. "I simply remind him every day."
"Anyway," Jeremy's smiled turned easy as he looked over at his uncle. "We have to run; gotta grab Caroline's presents before she wakes up."
Lia started, her warm smile disappearing as she looked at the time. "Breakfast better be ready by the time we get back," she grumbled as she stomped up the stairs. "Today needs to be perfect."
John blinked.
"You get used to it," Jeremy sighed as he watched after the woman on a mission.
"Caroline Forbes?" John questioned after he hummed his acknowledgement. "I didn't think you'd be friends with her. Wasn't she Elena's friend?"
"Neither did I," Jeremy chuckled lightly, crossing his arms and absently twirling a ring around his finger with his thumb. "And yeah, she was, but Elena's always been a pretty crappy friend to her; especially now that she's dating Stefan. Caroline's hurt, but at the same time, she's got Lia now, and Lia doesn't treat her like a gap-filler."
John's expression remained impassive as he watched his nephew ascend the stairs, but his mind was shaken at the statement. He'd watched Elena grow into a beautiful young woman; always caring and gentle to those around her. He didn't like hearing about her treating anyone with anything other than kindness. He didn't want anything Katherine infecting his daughter.
He internally shook himself from his thoughts as the pair made their reappearance, three bags in Jeremy's hands and one in Lia's.
"It was lovely to meet you, Mr Gilbert," Lia smiled brightly.
"I'll see you tonight," Jeremy nodded before Lia closed the door behind them.
John finally let his eyes narrow.
He'd figure out the mystery that was Kaliope. Or maybe he wouldn't and the device would take care of her.
Now, he just needed to find Pearl.
*TVDM*
"I am so lucky," Caroline sighed as she pushed her new sunglasses into her hair. She wore an adorable cold-shoulder top in deep red and a white skirt that fell just past midthigh. A pair of new white and gold heeled sandals encased her feet that matched her new handbag. She'd been spoiled with clothes, jewellery, spa vouchers, makeup, hair products, gift cards and now a freaking red carpet was being rolled out by two students from her beautification committee while a delicate gold and crystal tiara was being nestled in her hair.
"You're only realising this now?" Lia was unimpressed.
"Yeah," Jeremy was equally unimpressed. "I mean, I get that Lia doesn't really offer the good fortune vibes, but me? You should have been crying happy tears every day since our destined meeting in Lia's bedroom that Sunday morning."
Caroline ignored Lia's indignant squawk. "Yes, yes, you're both precious gifts from the heavens, but can we talk about me here? I am a queen today, and I refuse to let you narcissists suck up all the attention."
"Yes, Miss Caroline," Jeremy bowed.
"Terribly sorry, Miss Caroline," Lia curtsied.
"May I escort you, Miss Caroline?"
"May I take your bag, Miss Caroline?"
"Your feet must be tired, Miss Caroline. Shall I carry you?"
"You must be parched, Miss Caroline. Shall I fetch a refreshment?"
Caroline sighed happily as she gave Lia her handbag and linked her arm gracefully with Jeremy's. "That's more like it."
The three strolled down the red carpet and into the school, following their usual path to Caroline's locker. Care's smile grew at the sight of the pretty colours and bunches of balloons tied to the top corners.
"This is amazing," the blonde giggled. She felt like she was floating as she approached her locker. It was truly turning into the birthday of her high school dreams.
Caroline closed her locker gently, not wanting to set anything out of place and spun around. She perked up as she caught sight of Elena and Bonnie.
"Hey, guys!" she practically skipped over, Lia and Jeremy on her heels. "How are you this fine morning?"
Elena's heart stuttered at the sight of Lia but her heated glare toward the raven-haired beauty held firm. The supernatural creature made her nervous, scared her even, but her brain simply could not comprehend that this small woman was responsible for the two bodies she'd seen at the tomb's entrance. She'd been horrified at the sight, still couldn't get it out of her head, but she just couldn't link the devastation with the woman in front of her.
Foolish, in Bonnie's opinion. Even if she couldn't imagine Lia doing something so vicious, just knowing should have quelled her. The self-justified righteousness of Elena Gilbert terrified Bonnie more than Lia at this moment in time.
Elena, finished glaring at an unimpressed Lia, turned to the blonde with a weak smile. "Hey, Care. What's with the crown?"
No one spoke.
Caroline's face briefly showed her hurt.
Jeremy's nostrils flared in annoyance.
Lia's eyes lit up with indignant anger on her friend's behalf.
Bonnie damn-near gaped before breaking the rapidly-rising tension.
"Happy birthday, Care," Bonnie smiled warmly. "I got you a little something."
Bonnie dug through her bag as Caroline bounced on her toes.
Elena watched the pair chat as the present was finally pulled from the depths of the Bennett's bag. She felt like scum.
"Oh, God, Care, I'm so sorry," Elena ignored the hole that Lia was attempting to drill into the side of her head.
Lia's rage increased tenfold at the sight of Caroline Barbie smile #4. "Oh, it's totally fine, Elena. It's really just another day, you know?"
"BZZZZ, wrong!" Lia looked down her nose at the doppelganger as her arms slowly folded over her chest, Caroline's bag still tucked in her elbow. "It's not any day, it's the day the world welcomed Caroline Forbes into the world. It's a day to be remembered, appreciated and celebrated," Lia's expression softened dramatically as she locked eyes with the blonde in question. "The world would be a darker place without you, Miss Forbes. Do not brush this day aside like it's nothing. It's everything."
Caroline's eyes watered as the smile on her face turned blinding.
"Lia," Caroline whined as she laughed through her tears, grabbing the little mermaid in a tight hug. "I love you so freaking much."
"Oh, please," Lia teased, squeezing back just as tightly. "I love you more. I'm better at everything, remember?"
Caroline rolled her glassy eyes and giggled freely.
Jeremy came up beside the pair and wrapped them in his arms, earning another laugh from Caroline and a squeal of delight from Lia. "You two are ruining my man-card," Jeremy sighed dramatically. "I'm gonna have to go buy a light sabre once the day is through."
"Oh, my me, we're shopping for nerf guns and super soakers," Lia declared firmly, ignoring the scoff her words brought forth.
Jeremy pulled back, shaking his head at the chaos the mermaid's idea would ensure; especially if Enzo was back. His eyes flickered to the small box in Caroline's hand.
"I think you'd best stop leaving Bonnie hanging," he teased the blonde with a nod at the present.
Caroline's eyes widened before she turned an apologetic smile toward the Bennett.
Untying the ribbon, Care opened the box and sighed happily. Tucked inside was an adorable silver charm bracelet with two charms already added; one a pink heart and the other a silver crown.
"I love it," Care squealed as she wrapped the witch in a warm hug. Bonnie closed her eyes and held tightly, sad to realise that she hadn't received a Care Bear hug in too long.
Elena watched on with a smile on her face, trying to quell her jealousy. She knew she was mostly responsible for pushing Caroline away. She'd have to make it up to her.
Arms slid around her waist. Her head tilted to the side to smile at the newly-arrived Stefan, receiving a smile back. She didn't notice the tension around his eyes or the tautness of his shoulders. She was just happy to not feel alone anymore.
Stefan was doing his very best not to look at Kaliope. His breathing had stuttered when he'd caught a glimpse of her; noticing for the first time that she didn't hide her predator. She wore no masks.
He hated her.
He was captivated by her.
His monster was mesmerised by her.
He needed to stay away.
She was too dangerous to his self-control. He'd been a hairsbreadth away from feeding on a couple making out by the falls on the way back from investigating the tomb.
It was chaos. Pure dominance over those weaker than her. There were no unnecessary moves; just a single, crushing blow to either the head or the heart.
It was beautiful.
Stefan gripped Elena tighter and willed the veins away from his eyes. Releasing a shaky breath, he looked up only to be captured by luminescent green.
A knowing smirk painted her lips.
"Have fun, Ripper?" she purred, so quietly that only those with supernatural hearing would be able to pick it up. Unbeknownst to him, that included Caroline and Jeremy.
"You're a monster," he murmured just as quietly.
"Ah, but you're the one that loved it."
Stefan swallowed.
"Uh, hey."
All attention was immediately grabbed by a closely-shaved, mocha-skinned guy no one had ever seen before.
"Hey," Elena immediately jumped in. "Can we help you?"
"Yeah, I-uh, I'm new," he stated sheepishly, his eyes constantly moving toward Bonnie. She'd noticed if her blush had anything to say about it.
"Oh, of course," Caroline chirped, a devious grin threatening to spill across her face. "Bonnie will totally show you to the office, right, Bon?"
Bonnie's eyes widened at the blonde who smirked at her silent plea before she sighed internally and offered an embarrassed smile. "Sure, let's go."
"Thanks. I'm Luka," his grin lit up the room.
Caroline smirked in self-satisfaction as the pair walked away. She sighed as soon as they'd turned the corner. "Why can't I match-make myself?" she pouted.
Lia patted her back reassuringly. "Because you're remaining single for me; solidarity of the sisterhood and all that."
"Yeah," Caroline scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "That's the reason."
"You could give in, you know," Lia suggested slyly. "Trevor has been all over you like white on rice."
Jeremy blinked. "'White on rice?' Why not 'butter on bread?'"
"Not close enough," Lia immediately shook her head. "Have you seen them together? She's totally got this 'hard to get' game down."
The trio started to walk to Caroline's first class, either ignoring or forgetting about the vampire and his lover.
"Hey, none of that," Caroline sniffed. "It's my birthday."
"Of course, Miss Caroline."
"Our most humble apologies, Miss Caroline."
"God, I love my birthday."
*TVDM*
"Are we leaving the house today?"
Damon groaned.
"I'm bored."
Damon rolled over, burying himself deeper into his sheets and slamming a pillow over his head.
"You're so dramatic."
Damon growled.
He raised his head, irritated blue eyes meeting amused brown. "Look; it's been two days since I realised I was Sired for a damn-near century to a bitch who didn't even have the decency to pop in to tell me to go fuck myself. It's been two days since I realised just how big of a bitch Katherine Pierce is. Give me a break."
"I would, if you wanted my pity," Enzo smiled serenely at Damon's instant annoyance at the word. "Regardless, we have a vampire to track down and a council meeting to attend in an hour. By the smell of you, I think you've finally consumed enough bourbon to start secreting it."
Damon rolled his eyes. "Excellent. I've always thought the whole 'buy me a drink, first' was a waste of time," he wagged his eyebrows cockily.
Enzo simply sighed.
Rolling his eyes, Damon conceded defeat and completed his morning ablutions before meeting Enzo in the kitchen.
"Now," Enzo started as he placed a coffee mug in front of the Salvatore. "What can you tell me about the fangs that are set upon Miss Gilbert?" Enzo questioned, leaning against the bench as he sipped his own coffee and blood combo.
"Nothing," Damon sighed with a shrug. "Didn't think I'd be in town long enough to care. Stefan's the one who mentioned him, and judging by the lack of shadow around here, I'd say Stefan and his forehead are keeping the human copy safe and snug."
Enzo hummed thoughtfully. "Well, at least we know an area to start looking come tonight. Now, the council; how's your pain tolerance after all these years? Vervain tea is the drink of choice at these meetings."
Damon's lip curled. "Yeah, it's not that good."
"You've gotten soft," Enzo jeered, earning him an unimpressed eyebrow.
"Are you saying you enjoy a side of poisonous herb with your weekly espionage?"
"It offers a kick that bourbon just can't recreate," Enzo mocked. "Carol's expecting more of said herb from you today along with the compass. I've already text Lia about Stefan; she'll give him a loaner until they catch the vampire and put the compass away until something wicked walks this way once more."
"Right," Damon offered a sarcastic smile. "I'll just go put my gardening gloves on, shall I?"
"That's about the right of it, mate," Enzo smiled, amused.
It wasn't long before Enzo, Damon and their bag of clippings were making their way to the Lockwood Manor. Ringing the bell, Carol answered almost immediately with a warm smile.
"Oh, Enzo, excellent. You're here. Come in, the pair of you; I keep telling you, you don't need to knock."
"It conflicts too much with my upbringing," Enzo smiled softly, earning a sympathetic smile in return.
"How are you handling everything? From my perspective, you've done a marvellous job looking after Kaliope. Such a bright girl, an absolute blessing to the town and its committees," Carol smiled in amusement. "Caroline Forbes may have to be careful if your sister decides to run for Miss Mystic Falls."
Enzo chuckled; his eyes incredibly fond at the topic of conversation. "My little songbird would never do that to her best friend, even if she was a shoe-in to win," he smirked cheekily before clearing his throat. "Pardon my manners, Carol. This is Damon Salvatore; I wouldn't have found the compass without his assistance."
"Oh, please," Damon smiled bashfully. "This is my home; of course, I want to help it however I can. Especially knowing what's out there."
Carol nodded firmly, in complete agreement with the new man. "Thank you so much, Damon. Enzo is the only one of us with any real experience. We've been relying on him heavily. Everyone's already here."
She led them to one of the formal living rooms, pushing the glass French doors open to reveal the usual crew plus a blonde-haired, blue-eyed man that's gaze immediately flicked to the rings on their fingers.
Busted.
Enzo smirked before turning back to the group.
"Terribly sorry, ladies and gentlemen. Let me introduce to you the man of the hour."
The meeting continued as any other; speculation as to whether it was still in town, a plan to use the compass to track it, locations of where bodies had been found to give an idea on the area it could be cooped up in.
After everything had been said and done, people started to trickle out, leaving Carol, Richard and Liz talking in the corner and Damon and Enzo walking out the doors.
John Gilbert approached the vampires; he knew of Damon Salvatore – how could he not? – but the dark-eyed Enzo was a new face. He'd heard his story and met Kaliope; he wasn't sure what to believe when it came to the young woman, but the ring on this man's finger was damning.
"Gentlemen," he smiled serenely as he fell into step with them.
Enzo side-eyed the man. "Mr Gilbert. I've heard much; especially from your nephew."
"Yes, I met your sister this morning; beautiful creature, that one."
Enzo's smile only turned fond, as it was wont to do, on the topic of Lia. "She's the most beautiful woman in the world."
"Is that why you compelled her to forget her family?" John blatantly accused as they stepped over the threshold of the front door, earning him a startled laugh from Enzo and a mocking smile from Damon.
"No one warned me you were a clown," Enzo chortled, wiping a tear away as the trio walked toward the side of the property where the cars were parked, partially hidden from the view of the house. "Pray tell, what gave me away?"
John was slightly intimidated by the carefree attitude of the thing in front of him. Damon's reaction he'd expected; a devil-may-care front that couldn't hide the strain in his neck or the tightness of his jaw. No; this genuine disregard for the threat of exposure was unsettling.
It made John curious.
"Your ring," he answered, his stride slowing to a halt in front of the vampires. He watched as the vampire looked down, twisting his hand this way and that, showing it off under the sun.
"This?" Enzo slipped the ring off, casually throwing it Damon's way. The blonde man balked at the sight of the vampire without daylight jewellery easily standing in the sun. "My little angel gifted this to me during our first encounter. I couldn't bear to put my old one back on; I wanted to leave the old me in Augustine, you see. Oh, I see you've heard of it," Enzo paused at the sight of the now wide-eyed John before his own widened in an overexaggerated display of realisation. "Of course; your brother! Always called himself Dr Grayson," the vampire sighed in faux disappointment. "Shame he'd already passed by the time I was freed; I would have loved to thank him."
John reacted before he could think, pulling out his stake and slamming it into Enzo. The vampire had shifted enough for it to pierce his lung and not his heart.
With blood trickling down his chin and his breathing laboured, Enzo laughed.
"Was that supposed to hurt?"
He snapped the blonde's neck before he could say anymore.
"Thanks for holding onto that, mate," Enzo grinned, his wound already healed as he slipped his protection back on. "I knew he'd want to try something; didn't want him going after Lia because his stake wouldn't pierce her barrier."
"He's dead," Damon unnecessarily pointed out with a raised eyebrow. "If you were planning to off him from the beginning, why hide Lia?"
"We're not the only ones with nifty magic rings, mate," Enzo rolled his eyes, clapping Damon on the shoulder and pushing him forward. The pair stepped over the body to finish their trek to the car. "He'll be up and at 'em in no time."
"You're gonna have to sit me down for the Complete Works," Damon sighed. "Preferably with lots of alcohol and your sister present so I have something to stare at."
Enzo offered him a deadpanned glare before starting his car and heading back to the boarding house. He smirked as he saw the Gilbert bolt upright as he took his first breath in his rear-view mirror.
*TVDM*
"Happy Birthday!"
Caroline grinned as metallic pink and gold confetti rained down on her as soon as she stepped into The Grill. She was fitted with a white satin sash that read 'Queen' in gold cursive. She was immediately handed punch served in a champagne glass. Everyone cheered, chanting for a speech. They fell silent as she regally held her glass high.
She lived for the spotlight.
"To my fellow Mystic residents! I would thank you for coming, but where else would you be?" the crowd cheered and whistled, laughing at the dig. "I've been a lot of things in my 17 years of life; a princess, a baker, an architect, a hair dresser – and that was before I hit kindergarten! – I've been a chief-of-staff, a committee member, a committee leader, a cheerleader and a high schooler. I think at one point I might have been a mermaid," Lia whistled the loudest. "But in all my time, I can honestly say, the best title I've ever held, is 'Best Friend of Kaliope Athánatos,'" the girls shared a look full of fond happiness before Caroline turned to address the rest of the room. "Until I win Miss Mystic Fall, of course." Caroline laughed, her grin turning gentle as she continued. "I don't know where I'm going to end up, I don't know what job I'll hold, but I know that in 1, 10 or 100 years from now, I'll have Lia by my side, and we're gonna look fantastic. A toast! To best friends and never getting older!" Teenagers laughed and cheered as they saluted their glasses and drank. "Now, make way for the Queen!"
The music played, a dance floor was cleared and the party began. Lia and Caroline were through their third dance when Enzo and Damon finally walked in.
"You made it!" Lia squealed, jumping into Enzo's arms before turning and hugging Damon around his waist, much to the vampire's surprise.
"Of course," Enzo turned to Caroline and placed a kiss on her hand. "The happiest of birthdays to you, Miss Forbes. May you have many more with not a wrinkle to show for it."
Caroline laughed before thanking him with a kind smile. She caught sight of Bonnie over the vampire's shoulder and her smile brightened. "Excuse me gentlemen, Lia. I'll be back!"
Caroline was wrapped up tightly by the Bennett witch as soon as she was in reaching distance.
"Your speech was excellent," Bonnie laughed before turning serious. "I know Lia terrifies me, but I'm not blind; I see how good she is for you. If you're this happy, then I'm happy, Care."
Caroline beamed.
"Lia agreed to play nice from now on," Caroline admitted. "I don't think it will last between her and Elena, but she's 100% willing to call a truce on the animosity between you two."
Bonnie's breath caught in her throat, her eyes finding the glowing green pair she was searching for. They held gazes for a few seconds, neither moving, until Lia conceded, raising her glass and dipping her head.
Bonnie exhaled.
"I think I can do that," Bonnie admitted with a shaky smile. She'd never forget what the beautifully dangerous creature had done, what she was capable of, but she would much prefer her as a tentative friend than an enemy; especially since she'd promised ger Grams that she wouldn't give up practicing her witchcraft.
Caroline hugged Bonnie again before smirking down at her shorter friend, wiggling her fingers in a wave goodbye and turning on her heel.
Bonnie was stumped until she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to see Luka smiling sheepishly at her.
She smiled back.
Caroline, meanwhile, received her own tap on the shoulder as she mingled. Her plastic smile crawled onto her face without her permission as she stared into the doe-eyes of Elena.
"Elena! Thanks for coming," Caroline chirped.
"Caroline, I'm glad to see you safe," Elena smiled.
"Yeah, Lia keeps me well protected," Caroline couldn't help but admit. She watched the fear and determination flare in those brown eyes with defeat. She felt it in her bones; this was the turning point. Some kind of ultimatum that Elena Gilbert felt obligated to give before she dubbed the blonde a lost cause and washed her hands of Caroline Forbes completely.
Caroline swallowed down the hurt but squared her shoulders, firm in her decision.
"Look, Care, we've known each other for years," Elena started, and Caroline's eyes slipped closed briefly of their own accord. Sometimes she hated being right. "You're my friend; have been since kindergarten. Believe me when I tell you that Kaliope is a monster. You didn't see the horror she left at the tomb, Care! Those vampires didn't even have a chance to fight back and she destroyed them."
Caroline's eye twitched.
"Do you think you can trust such a monster?" Elena asked earnestly. "Do you think you could trust her with your life? With your mother's?"
Caroline snapped.
"God, Elena. You're dating a vampire for God's sake!" she hissed at the taken-aback brunette. "You think you have some sort of say because you're the Golden Gilbert, is that it? Newsflash, Elena; the world does not revolve around you! Just because you think a certain way doesn't mean it's right. You're literally the one that tried to scold the immortal super strong being about morals when you thought she'd let those vampires out! Now you have a problem with them being dead? Make up your fucking mind!" Caroline huffed, taking a step back and flipped her hair over her shoulder. Her hands fell to her hips and even Elena had to admit that she looked closer to a queen in that moment than she ever had before. "I'm so done with you thinking your opinion should be taken as gospel. Go make out with Stefan or something. I'm sick of looking at your face."
Caroline stomped away to go find Lia; she knew her best friend would have her spirits back up in no time.
Elena, on the other hand, stared after the blonde. She was dumbfounded. She'd been trying to protect her friend and her words were spat back at her with such vitriol that Elena had to wonder if it was truly the opinion of the blonde or if Lia had messed with her somehow.
She turned on her heel and went to find Stefan.
"I see the physical appeal, mate, but if your Sire is anything like that, I'd want a refund," Enzo observed as he watched the brunette stalk away. "Think it's a family thing?"
Damon scoffed. "I'm starting to think it is."
"Elena, you OK?" Stefan frowned as he watched the young woman march toward him. He'd sticking to the side like the wallflower he was, not staring at Lia.
He wasn't.
Elena ran a frustrated hand through her hand as her tongue wet her pouty lips. "It's Caroline; I tried to talk to her about Lia again. She said I- well, she chose Lia."
Stefan frowned, having heard the conversation. "I hate to admit it, Elena, but Caroline had a point. The way you're acting; Lia was damned if she did, damned if she didn't. I'm not defending her brutality, but I am asking you; what would you have preferred to happen?"
Elena couldn't believe the words coming from Stefan's mouth.
"How dare you?" Elena demanded. "I can't believe you. What I wanted? I didn't want anyone to die!"
Stefan nodded. "I completely agree; the loss of life is a tragedy. But I've had time to think, Elena, and I believe that this worked out for the best."
"The best?" Elena repeated in a daze.
Stefan nodded in earnest. "Think about it; those vampires? Even though they couldn't move, they could still feel. They'd spent nearly 145 years in agony because of Damon's wish to save Katherine. They could have suffered a quick death so long ago instead of being kept alive, forced to live each day in pain. Though it looked grotesque, Lia killed them quickly. They didn't have to suffer anymore and the townspeople weren't made dinner."
"You're siding with her?" Elena took a step back in disgust.
"Why are you so against her?" Stefan asked instead.
She just shook her head and left, nearly jogging out the back of the Grill and into the carpark.
Stefan's eyes slid closed as he sighed, long and low. He was losing it; even if he wasn't ready to admit it. The animal inside wanted to come forth, and for some reason, he wasn't scared.
He said he was disgusted.
He said he hated it.
He was, in a sense.
He was ashamed, disgusted and appalled that he didn't feel the usual remorse and self-loathing that usually came with the surfacing of his Ripper side.
He felt oddly at peace with it.
And that; that was what scared him.
"Trouble in paradise, brother?"
Stefan stiffened before his shoulders slumped.
"What do you want, Damon? Why are you still here?"
"Ran into an old friend, decided to stick around," Damon shrugged before taking a swig of his bourbon. His eyes flickered over to Lia and Enzo who were dancing with Caroline between them. "Now, I need you to do something for me?"
"Oh, yeah?" Stefan raised an eyebrow at his older brother. "What's that, Damon?"
"Here," he passed over the crystal on the leather strap. "You need to wear this at all times."
"And if I don't want to?" Stefan asked, curious rather than defiant.
"Then the compass will find you and lead a merry band of wannabe Buffy's your way," Damon sassed. "It's not yours; it's Lia's. If you're a good little vampire, you might even be able to keep it."
Stefan was already reaching for it as soon as Damon mentioned it was Lia's.
"It will protect me?" Stefan raised an eyebrow.
"Hide you," Damon corrected, not wanting to get into the details of it with his brother; especially if he wasn't keeping it. Damon pushed off the wall, casually calling over his shoulder as he went. "You'll have to pay for it later, of course; this kind of protection isn't cheap."
Stefan slipped it over his head, holding the slightly luminescent gem in his hand.
It was cool.
*TVDM*
Elena was leaning against her car, her eyes glassy but furious.
How could Stefan do that to her?
She felt indignant, angry and unsure.
It was a feeling that Elena Gilbert didn't have much experience with.
All her life, she'd been praised, told she was clever, pretty, correct, a good girl, right. She was never told to rethink things. She was never told that she was wrong.
She growled her weak little human growl, stuffing her hand into her pocket to get her keys. She jumped when a heavy hand landed on her shoulder. She immediately stepped away, spinning to see a man she didn't recognise wearing a hoodie, running pants and sneakers.
"Hello, Elena," he greeted pleasantly.
"Uh, hi- sorry, do I know you?" Elena tried to smile, but between her nerves and her righteous fury, it looked more like a grimace.
"No," he admitted easily. "But I know you."
Then his face changed.
Elena screamed.
The man took a step forward before he gasped, eyes wide in horror, as they slowly looked at his chest.
Elena's hand rose to her mouth at the sight of the long piece of timbre dripping red and running through the vampire's heart.
He collapsed, revealing a deadpanned Lia.
"Li-Lia," Elena gasped, her hand moving down to her chest. "He-he's-"
"Dead, Elena. He's dead," Lia admitted bluntly before holding out a small gold bag with cream tissue paper spilling from the top. "You forgot your party bag."
In a daze, Elena reached for the bag and brought it to her chest, watching as the short woman spun on her heel and raised her phone to her ear.
"Loren, the stalker's been dispatched. It's in the carpark by a shocked Gilbert. Tag, you're it."
Elena blinked when Lia disappeared from sight, her nerves hitting her tenfold as she realised she was alone again. Shaking hands fumbled with her keys before they succeeded in opening her door and turning on the ignition. The last thing she saw as she sped away was Lia's brother and Damon Salvatore standing around the body of the vampire that Lia had killed to protect her.