Author's note: This was written for Klaroline AU Season, 2021 - Week Three: March 31-April 6 – Fantasy and Folklore. This is a sequel to Chapter 94: Burning Love. It was the perfect plan — slip into Mystic Falls, perform the ritual, and unlock his wolf. But now a mysterious serial killer is leaving too many supernatural clues behind and putting his whole plan in jeopardy.
"If you need to injure someone, do it in such a way that you do not have to fear their vengeance." ― Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince
A monster walked among them. And it wasn't just Klaus. The Original angrily threw his phone across the room, growling as he envisioned his carefully crafted plot unraveling. He'd sent his most loyal acolytes to Mystic Falls ahead of time, relying on their reconnaissance to secure all the ingredients and plan the optimal time to perform the ritual and unlock his wolf. He'd been forced to move at a glacial pace, not wanting to alert the irritating human council to his true purpose.
And now far too many news reports had surfaced about a serial killer. While unsuspecting humans would disregard these murders as commonplace, albeit despicable crimes, Klaus could see them for what they really were — unnatural. At least a dozen men had been slaughtered; a few witnesses reported similar stories — seeing the men with a woman who wore a crown of flowers in her long blonde hair. By itself, the reports were unremarkable. But then there was the damage to the bodies that indicated a powerful force. And the witness accounts of singing.
These curious elements were enough to put the Mystic Falls council on high alert. While they were woefully ignorant of what the supernatural clues may lead to, it still made them a hindrance to his plans. A skittish crowd of irritating humans was not something Klaus wished to engage; hence, why he'd continued to make himself scarce. Despite his annoyance, he was intrigued.
His people used to tell stories. The huldra was a creature who took the form of a lovely maiden and lured men into the woods with hauntingly beautiful singing. The lore was similar to that of a siren; preying on the desires of the weak-willed. Klaus scoffed at the simpletons who foolishly allowed themselves to be cut down in such a manner. Falling for a beautiful face was utter nonsense. Nothing in this world could compare to what he'd lost long ago.
Klaus once knew a woman. An ethereal beauty who beguiled and bewitched with every cutting glance and sharp word. From the moment he glimpsed Caroline tending Master Alaric's lands, he was enamored. She swung the sickle with the ferocity of a warrior, no doubt picturing the detestable man's foul visage as the barley was cut down. She was a spirited woman, worthy of respect, and Klaus used his influence as a jarl to ensure her master's whip never touched her again.
However, this quiet gesture did not satisfy his fascination, and he began placing himself in her path, much to her vexation. A millennium later and he still recalled the rosy bloom of Caroline's cheeks...
"You know my name," she blurted out in surprise.
Klaus' heart fluttered as he confessed, "Of course I know the name of the girl who can cut with a single glance. Whose beautiful face reveals all before she ever speaks a word."
Their love had been green, but it had been true. Something real that filled his days with hope for a better future. One without the cruel weight of his father's shadow. They'd been so careful, secreting away coins and supplies so that they could run away together.
But then Caroline was taken from him.
"It was the wolves," Rebekah cried, running back to the village in shredded, blood-streaked garments as she clung to Klaus. "Caroline was so brave, but the wolves were too strong." Rebekah clawed at his chest, her knuckles turning white as she confessed brokenly, "I barely escaped with my life."
Klaus never felt such despair than in that moment when he lost everything that made him good. Caroline was ripped away and his life would never be the same.
When he and his siblings transitioned, nothing mattered but the blood. And now nothing mattered but releasing his wolf. Which is why he needed to deal with this inconvenient creature whose sloppy kills were jeopardizing his plans.
"Hurling your phone across the room before breakfast — again. Why so melodramatic, Nik," Rebekah asked, rudely pulling him from his thoughts.
Grumbling at the interruption, Klaus faced her, his tone petulant as he snapped, "Careful, sister. You're only freshly sprung from the coffin — I'm sure you've no interest in returning, hmm?"
At her unimpressed snort, he grumbled, "It seems we have company in Mystic Falls. A monster has come to this little town; it's a troublesome thorn in my side that's drawing far too much attention from the humans."
Scoffing, she helped herself to the pitcher of Bellinis, raising the fluted crystal in a mocking toast as she replied, "And what monster might that be?"
"An impossibility, something I thought only existed in our people's myths — a huldra."
Rebekah's hand jerked, splashing some of the peach cocktail as she gave a startled laugh. "Don't be absurd, Nik. If such a creature existed, surely we would've encountered one before now."
With a smirk, Klaus carelessly answered, "I do believe immortality has made you lose your sense of whimsy, dear sister. But don't fret; I'll return it to you once I find this irksome creature."
It was laughably easy to lurk in the shadows at the edge of the woods, watching for the creature. It was the melodic voice that swept him up in her wake, alluring in its surprising fragility. It haunted him. Flowing blonde waves danced on the evening breeze, her slim limbs beckoning. From a distance, Klaus could admit begrudgingly that the creature was lovely and possessed an admirable power. Which is why it wasn't a surprise when Richard Lockwood, mayor of Mystic Falls, stumbled after her greedily, despite whatever protections the council afforded him from supernaturals.
"Won't you share your fire," she whispered in a raspy voice.
A sly grin crossed Klaus' face. He knew what kind of pathetic excuse for a man Richard Lockwood was. He'd determined a pattern with the other murder victims. Guilty men. Guilty of such despicable things. Perhaps he'd allow the creature to finish her meal.
When the mayor reached her, his sleazy grin didn't falter even after the creature revealed her unnatural strength. The white petals from her flower crown fluttered to the ground, and as she twisted around to begin feasting, Klaus let out a strangled gasp.
Caroline. She stood before him, more glorious than even his fondest memories recalled. There was no mistaking the defiance he saw in her blue gaze — this magnificent creature was his beloved.
His beloved that Rebekah had sworn the wolves had destroyed centuries ago.
