Chapter 31: Give the Devil His Dewar's
Author's note: Wow — thank you so much for all of the wonderful reviews, favorites and follows! We've reached almost 360 reviews for this collection — thank you for your support! This story was written for the Klaroline Infinity Finale Week Event. This chapter is set during the opening to season 3 when Klaus and Stefan are hunting werewolves to make hybrids. While hunting a wayward wolf, they come across an intriguing blonde who happens to have business in the area...
Warning: Delicious smut!
Standin' at the crossroad
I tried to flag a ride
Didn't nobody seem to know me
everybody pass me by
Mmm, the sun goin' down, boy
dark gon' catch me here
— Robert Johnson, "Cross Road Blues"
The frosty bottle of Coors in the hopeful man's hand was refused with a small jerk of her delicate chin and a slight flicker of irritation underneath those thick black lashes. Her sweet, melodic voice didn't bother to hide the cruel sting of rejection when she told her would-be pursuer, "I'm waiting on someone."
Klaus watched the young man's thin shoulders sag as he began the lonely trek back to his table tucked away in a dusty corner of this smoky Tennessee bar. Klaus inhaled a lungful of the stale air of this rather dank watering hole, Southern Comfort, and besides the scents of tobacco, spilled beer and human sweat, he had yet to smell the earthy, somewhat bitter aroma of the wayward werewolf, Ray Sutton, he had been tracking for months now.
His gray eyes continued to study the stunning blonde beauty perched on a wobbly stool near the end of the bar. When he and Stefan had first walked through the door, he had immediately noticed her, and while he barked orders at Stefan to compel the small group of patrons, he found himself captivated by her mere presence and continued to silently monitor her throughout the evening. Periodically, some brave chap would approach her, either with the bribery of a drink or an awkwardly mumbled line, only to be rejected without the slightest bit of interest revealed in that frosty blue gaze. He found himself inordinately irritated as each hopeful suitor would try his luck, and felt an odd sense of relief when none of them were successful in their pursuit.
Earlier, he had waited with baited breath, listening in on her heartbeat as Stefan had compelled her like the other patrons, wondering if she was something more. He desperately needed a rational explanation for the perplexing pull he felt toward the lovely creature. While he had been disappointed that the enigmatic blonde was human, it somehow didn't detract from her alluring presence. Content to allow Stefan to continue monitoring the door for Ray, Klaus decided to make his move. He sauntered over to the bar, admiring the way her ripped denim jeans fit her luscious curves. He leaned over the scarred wooden surface of the bar, capturing the grizzled bartender's attention as he ordered two scotches.
The old man nodded knowingly, glancing at the blonde down the way and muttered, "Good luck with that one, buddy."
Smirking, Klaus picked up the glass tumblers and said confidently, "I like my odds." He stalked across the dirty floor covered in footprints of red dust and littered with peanut shells to where she casually sat at the end of the bar, and without a word, he slid one of the tumblers toward her.
Without glancing in his direction, the mysterious woman downed the rest of the golden liquor already in her hand before casually studying the drink Klaus brought her. When she turned her lovely face to appraise him, he was caught again by the power in her blue gaze. Putting on his most charming smile, he flashed his dimples while cheekily asking, "Tell me love, are you still waiting for someone?"
With a throaty chuckle, she answered, "Yes."
Klaus hated how he had to make the effort to keep his face from falling at the single word she spoke. This mere human shouldn't have this much power over him. While in the middle of attempting to reassert his dignity, she surprised him by grinning wickedly and kicking out the chipped barstool beside her, adding, "But it'll keep."
He carefully controlled his expression, not wanting to appear too eager as he sat down beside her. Clinking the rims of their tumblers together, he commented, "I asked for Macallan, but apparently, it's a bit too posh for this establishment. Enlighten me, sweetheart — is that why you chose to drink that utter swill instead?"
She raised a critical eyebrow and wryly said, "Condescending asshats are drawn to Macallan despite the fact that it is tragically overpriced, single-malt nonsense and I have no interest in drinking something that thinks it's better than me simply because it took a bath in some sherry oak barrels." She jiggled her glass in his direction, the ice cubes merrily clinking as she added, "Dewar's is a sublime scotch whisky with notes of berries, vanilla and honey so stop turning your nose up at it just because it's blended from several single malts."
"My apologies," Klaus replied, delighted to have gotten a rise out of the lovely creature before him. "and you may call me Klaus. I go by condescending asshat for formal occasions," he teased.
She took a long sip of her scotch, clearly savoring the flavors that he had mocked. He tried not to show how mesmerized he was by the slow, sensual movement of her lips and the muscles in her throat as she swallowed her drink. "Caroline," she nodded, tapping the rim of her glass with an index finger encased in a thin, silver ring forged into the shape of a snake.
"Unusual ring — you like serpents," he asked, noting that the fine etchings described possibly a python or boa.
"Upon occasion," she replied in an amused tone. She eyed his cluster of necklaces and boldly reached out to touch the cross dangling from the antique rosary he wore. "And you appear to have faith," she commented in her melodic voice, stroking the object thoughtfully as she seemed to be searching for something within his steel gaze.
"I have faith in a multitude of things, sweetheart," Klaus answered, liking her casual disregard for personal space as she leaned toward him with almost feral blue eyes.
She tilted her head, blonde waves softly brushing her cheek. "Faith in the divine has always surprised me. How is it possible to believe in something without tangible proof?"
His smile was indulgent as he settled more comfortably on the barstool. "So you're a skeptic, then?"
Caroline laughed, the surprising sound momentarily capturing the interest of those around them who paused to favor her with admiring glances before returning to their own mundane conversations. "I'm a lot of things. Labels are messy."
Klaus understood her words more than her human sentiments could ever grasp. He was an Original vampire and yet also a wolf. As a hybrid, he was alone in the world and he despised that label. His travels to seek out other werewolves, to amass his hybrid army, was as much about building a resistance against the threat of Mikael as it was about finally being with others like him. As yet another mournful, classic country song played in the background, he eyed her faded Metallica t-shirt and said, "I'm surprised you would be in this bar, given your taste in music."
Her red lips curved into a smile and her fingertips lightly brushed along the jagged edges of the band's silver logo. "I do enjoy 'Judas Kiss'. 'In the heart of evil man, plant the seeds of my own plan. The strong and powerful will fall. Find a piece of me in all.'"
While not overly familiar with the rock band, he did recall the song she quoted. Laying on his most seductive accent, he replied, "I must admit, the lyrics are infectious. 'Sell your soul to me, I will set you free. Pacify your demons.'"
She leaned in closer, whispering in his ear, "I seriously doubt demons could ever be pacified."
He inhaled her fragrance, the scotch warming her scent pleasantly as he took in her vanilla and honey essence. "Indeed. I suspect demons are quite the cantankerous lot," he playfully agreed.
She shrugged her shoulders. "Truth be told, I'm actually quite partial to the blues. There's something about the sorrowful growling of one's soul that gets me every time. It practically calls to me," she confided, a secret smile perched upon her delicate lips.
Klaus was momentarily surprised by her hidden depths. It was unusual to find an appreciation for blues music in one so young. Seizing the opportunity, he told her, "In that case, I have discovered a quaint little blues club a couple of towns over. After I conclude my business matter, would you care to join me?"
Her blue eyes sparkled with amusement, and she swirled the amber-colored scotch lazily in her glass. "What a tempting offer. Unfortunately, I also have business to attend to." The tip of her pink tongue touched the center of her top lip, enticing him with its wicked promise. "But I would very much like a raincheck, and I can assure you, I always collect," she added, her husky voice teasing him in the most delicious manner.
Trying not to show the disappointment in his face, Klaus stood, searching for the right words to make a graceful exit, when Caroline stunned him by grabbing his hand before he could leave. She downed the rest of her scotch, her blue eyes darkening as she gazed up at him lustfully. "My business will keep for the moment. Will yours?"
Allowing his piercing gray stare to roam over her enticing form, he growled out, "Without question," and quickly hauled her to her feet, pulling her in for a deep kiss that left them both breathless. With a mischievous grin, she tugged on his hand, maneuvering them between scattered tables and the small crowd of people until they arrived at the bathroom.
She leapt into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist as he stumbled backward into the dimly lit space. With a groan that was nearly a snarl, he pushed her up against the door, kissing her with a ferocity that made his wolf howl in delight. She clawed through his curls, tugging on the ends as she deepened their kiss.
With one hand, he held her against the wooden door carved with initials, numbers and crude phrases, using his other to toy with the frayed edges of the holes in her jeans.
Wriggling against him delightfully, she gasped out, "You're very strong."
"You have no idea," he purred, a thrill of anticipation running through him when he realized that several of the holes along her shapely thighs would aid his explorations quite nicely. Smelling her arousal, he brushed a finger against the ragged hole closest to her center, humming his approval at the way her breath hitched. He added the slightest pressure with his finger, pulling aside the flimsy fuchsia lace of her panties to dip his finger inside. Her warmth enveloped him, making him growl as he stroked her slowly.
Caroline clutched at his white henley, groaning as she rocked against his hand. She angled her head, raining down punishing kisses along his neck, licking his ivory skin. Soon, her fingers brushed against the bulge in his dark trousers and he hissed, fumbling with his zipper as he struggled to free his aching cock. The sound of ripping denim drew his attention and his gray eyes darkened as he watched her tear one of the holes along her crotch until it would easily fit him.
Wasting no time, he pushed his cock in, stretching her as they both sighed at the exhilarating feeling. She tightened her legs around his waist, pulling him further inside with each jerk of her hips. He growled against her lips, gripping her ass as he held her against the door, bucking into her with furious strokes.
"Fuck, right there," Caroline cooed, running her hands underneath his henley as she lightly scratched at his flexing muscles.
At her sexy muttering, Klaus could feel the beast inside wanting to come out and play. He felt his fangs start to unsheathe as he kissed along her collarbone, and just before he pierced her soft flesh, he realized with a pang that he was reluctant to treat her like another hastily devoured meal. This impossibly sexy, confident woman called to him in a way he couldn't explain, and he didn't wish to feed in that way. The sweet siren song of her blood sang to him, but he found himself wanting her to want him to feed from her. To know who he was and to...accept him. Impossible. A human could never...
Growling in frustration at this inconvenient need to claim the human as his, he deepened his thrusts, wanting to thoroughly embed himself into her memory. He wanted to forge that connection between them so that when they saw each other again, she would remember that fire between them and crave it once more. She stiffened against him, her blue eyes glittering with lust, and he seductively asked, "Ready to come for me, love?"
Caroline nodded breathlessly, choking out, "Yes, Klaus!" She hooked her arms around his neck, pushing her unbound breasts against his chest, the hardened buds rubbing against him pleasurably. Her core gripped him tightly as she started to spasm, the scintillating smell of her orgasm driving him mad with desire as he spilled inside of her. They clung together for a moment, panting and exchanging slow kisses as their sweat-slicked bodies cooled back down.
She unwound her legs from his waist, adjusting her rumpled clothes while Klaus zipped his trousers. Exchanging naughty smiles as they exited the bathroom, the peculiar red dust tracked onto the flooring caught Klaus' eye once more.
While he was trying to recall where he had seen it before, Caroline rolled her eyes. "Pretty sure that's red brick powder. Amateurs," she sniffed disdainfully.
Before Klaus could ask what she meant, he was distracted by Stefan, who clearly could smell the lingering traces of the beautiful woman's arousal and had blocked her pathway, his black veins on display. "You didn't feed from her," he scoffed, cocking his head to stare at the smooth lines of her pale throat. "Shame. She smells delicious."
With a snarl, Klaus shoved Stefan several feet away, inwardly relieved that his compulsion from earlier would keep Caroline from being frightened by their displays. Her pulse had not sped up from Stefan's threatening words and monstrous appearance, so clearly the compulsion held. He stood protectively in front of Caroline and commanded Stefan, "Back off, mate. Caroline is not to be harmed. I have claimed her."
Laughing in that smoky, seductive voice of hers, the blonde said, "Such a gentleman. But I prefer to do the claiming."
Klaus's grin was smug as he enjoyed the sassy blonde's fruitless attempts at dominance, but then he noticed their new arrival. The wayward werewolf, Ray, stood at the bar, painfully thin with thick facial hair that gave him a haggard appearance. Klaus flashed in front of him before Ray could register the obvious danger he was in. "Ray Sutton," He said mockingly, "so good of you to join us. I have a business proposition for you."
The young man eyed Klaus warily and spat, "You're the Original that's been hunting me. I won't tell you where my pack is. And if you think you scare me, you've got another thing coming, asshole. I've got bigger problems than you right now."
Stefan chuckled darkly. "You're an idiot. What could be scarier than a psychotic Original after you and your pack?"
Klaus enjoyed the smell of fear radiating off of Ray, and he wrenched one wiry arm behind Ray's back, whispering in his ear, "I have all manner of delightful torture in mind for you, werewolf. You'll break. They always break." He realized that Ray had stiffened, but it was not at his viselike grip — something else had caught the werewolf's attention. He studied Ray, surprised to see the sudden terror etched upon his face as his body went rigid.
Caroline's soft laughter filled the bar. "You cannot possibly be surprised to see me, Ray," she stated, walking toward the werewolf with slow, deliberate steps. "You foolishly tried to make a barrier of red brick powder at the threshold to keep me out. Silly wolf — barriers only work if the line remains unbroken. Do you realize how many barflies have trampled across your pointless red dust this evening?"
Ray began to sweat under Caroline's intense perusal, but tried to put on a brave front. "I have more than just brick powder to protect me!" With his free hand, he clutched at the tiny leather bag dangling from a black cord around his neck, shaking it in Caroline's direction in a manner that Klaus assumed was meant to be threatening if not for the way the werewolf's hand trembled.
Realizing that the werewolf seemed rooted to the dingy bar floor, Klaus released his arm, stepping back to regard the blonde suspiciously. "And what might you be, love, that our friend Ray believes a puny satchel around his neck will save him, hmm?"
Caroline crossed her arms in front of her chest in irritation. "It's a gris-gris bag. Meant to ward off my kind. Although considering I've known where he's been all these years, it's clearly shit." She peered at the werewolf, cocking an eyebrow as she mocked, "Hope you kept the receipt."
"Your kind? But I compelled you earlier. You were human," Stefan protested in confusion, clearly intrigued by the puzzle Caroline presented.
She rolled her eyes, walking over to Ray and snatching away the fake amulet in annoyance. "I'm a loa, a voodoo spirit. I'm from the spirit realm, not the mortal plane, so I can appear as I choose." She curled the frayed leather cord around one long fingernail as she continued, "And Ray here made a deal with me and it's time for me to collect his payment."
Ray shook his head fiercely, but couldn't quite meet her eyes. "That was years ago. I'm different now," he muttered. "It's not fair."
Fascinated, Klaus pushed Ray to the side, confident that Stefan would keep him from wandering off. He leaned closer to Caroline, breathing in her familiar scent of vanilla and honey laced with scotch. His wolf whined in delight as he caught the intoxicating odor of their combined arousal still clinging to her skin. While he had never come across demonic spirits before, he had heard tales of their fierce natures and incredible power. Recalling the almost feral quality of Caroline's gaze, he understood now why he had been drawn to this incredible creature. Curious to learn more, he asked, "What kind of deal did our friend make with you, sweetheart?"
She flashed Klaus a wicked grin, allowing her gaze to linger until he could feel his skin burning for her touch once more. "Five years ago, Ray hit a hitchhiker with his truck and drove off like a coward, leaving him to die. Interestingly enough, when he summoned me at the crossroads, rather than ask me to restore the poor mortal, he instead asked me to take away the pain that comes with the werewolf curse."
Her eyes suddenly glowed a searing red as she venomously glared at the terrified werewolf standing beside Stefan. "You see, Ray knew he had triggered his curse, and he wanted that power that the wolf could bring him — but he was too weak to endure the pain." She allowed her blazing eyes to return to blue, but the ferocity of her gaze lingered. "I took away Ray's pain for five years and now it's time to take his soul to the underworld."
Stefan spoke up, talking over the werewolf who had started to softly beg Caroline for a reprieve. "But I thought the deals you make last ten years."
She snorted. "Do I look like Crowley? Supernatural is just a TV show, dumbass." She winked at Klaus. "This is the best minion you could find? He disappoints on so many levels."
"Indeed," Klaus agreed, enjoying the scowl that spread across Stefan's face. While Caroline had been reminiscing about her deal with Ray, he had been considering his options. He had spent months tracking down this werewolf so he could start the experiment to turn Ray's pack into his first hybrids and he refused to be denied his prize. However, he was far too intrigued to battle her for the werewolf; perhaps they could reach an accord that would benefit them both. "I can't help but notice that our business interests are the same, sweetheart. May I be so bold as to ask if there is a time limit on collecting Ray's soul?"
Grinning, Caroline reached over to pat the top of Ray's sweaty head, ruffling his oily brown hair for good measure. "I suppose I could fudge the numbers a bit...with the right motivation." Biting her bottom red lip, she asked, "What did you have in mind?"
Klaus could feel his blood warm at the seductive promise of her voice. Smirking, he said, "Tell me, love, would you care to watch an experiment?"
