The silence after Kylie's pronouncement was deafening. Caroline looked at the candles, the toes of her boots, and Rebekah's dangly earrings—anywhere but Klaus' face.

"How—how could this have happened?" She heard Klaus say. He sounded grave, almost scared—Caroline blinked. She thought he'd be smug or gleeful.

"I dunno, probably happened when you slept together," Kylie rolled her eyes. "I'm not a werewolf expert, okay? Can we please get back to taking down Madam Lalaurie?"

Klaus swallowed hard. Unable to resist, she stared at him fully and was shocked to see how pale and upset he looked. His lips were tightened, he was clenching his fists, and he had that familiar expression of self-loathing.

"I think for tonight, we should all rest," Elijah broke in. "Brother, you do not look well. I think you should take a blood bag and retire for the evening. We can reconvene in the morning."

Kylie shrugged. "Fine. I'm bringing my coven tomorrow, though—well, what's left of my coven, anyway. And if you guys can keep your romantic drama to a minimum, I'd appreciate. We don't need distractions right now." She cast a suspicious glare at both Caroline and Klaus, which Klaus did not return.

"Very well," Elijah cleared his throat. "Caroline, if you'll follow me, I'll take you to one of the spare guest rooms. I believe it will suit you admirably."

"Unless you'd prefer to stay with Klaus," Rebekah suggested, her eyes glinting. "Since you are, after all—"

"Shut up."

Both Rebekah and Caroline started. Klaus glared at his sister.

"Shut up," He growled. "And leave. I want to be alone."

Slightly perplexed, Caroline exited with the rest. Her stomach lurched a little bit and she realized she was hurt—hurt of all things. It was ridiculous to be upset about his attitude—it wasn't as though Caroline wanted to be his mate.

Nevertheless, she couldn't help but feel unsettled.

XXXX

Caroline couldn't sleep.

It was the room. The bedroom was creepy. It shouldn't have surprised her that the Originals' mansion would look like something out of a horror movie. The Victorian dressing table, the huge, ornate wardrobe that looked as though it led straight into Narnia—or Hell.

Frustrated, she tossed aside the bedcovers and stood. She had a vague idea of going into the kitchen and fixing herself a cup of tea or helping herself to a blood bag in the fridge. But her path was rather aimless as she explored the house.

The Originals had moved in a hurry. There was still dust and cobwebs over the picture frames, dirt in some of the corridors, and Caroline was fairly certain she saw a large spider scuttle across her path. The portraits were interesting—they had to date back to the 1700s and she was surprised to find a painting of Klaus on horseback. He looked a little too attractive with long hair for comfort.

She found herself pausing outside the master bedroom before briskly shaking her head. She didn't know why Klaus' attitude was bothering her so much. She meandered down the corridor further, examining the portraits, nearly tripping over herself when she turned a corner.

She found the kitchen but stilled when she noticed a light on. Cautiously entering, she inhaled sharply when she was Klaus, sitting at the counter, bottles of absinthe and vodka littered about.

Caroline considered bolting but Klaus had already seen her. But never mind that, what the hell was he doing out of bed and drinking?

"Caroline," Klaus gestured in welcome, knocking over an empty bottle in the process. "Welcome. Join me for a drink."

"I don't think so," Caroline wrinkled. "What the hell are you doing? You're supposed to be resting, getting your strength back."

"Oh, my strength's returned," Klaus chuckled darkly. "We're out of blood bags, by the way. Thought about finding myself a little human snack, but figured you wouldn't approve of that sort of meal. So the only other option was to drink."

Caroline snored, taking a seat. "Since when have you cared about what I want you to do?"

"Oh, shouldn't I care?" Klaus took another large swallow of absinthe. "Since we're apparently mates."

Caroline flinched. "So that's what this is about," She said in a low voice. "That's why you're drinking yourself into oblivion? Fantastic. This is great news, seeing as we're supposed to do battle tomorrow."

Klaus toasted her. "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die."

"Oh, knock it off!" Caroline shouted. "Look, I'm sorry this whole 'mating' thing is such a horror for you, but we have bigger things to deal with right now!"

"And I'm sorry too," Klaus hissed, suddenly standing, nearing her. "I'm sorry that for even one bloody second, I ever thought that you would come here of your own freewill. That you would care enough about me to put aside the past, the differences. That you had that amount of—grace. Light."

"What are you talking about?" Caroline wanted to know.

"The mating bond," Klaus said coldly. "You didn't come here for me. You came because of it. You were as good as compelled."

Caroline's mouth fell open. "That's what you think?" She fairly shrieked. "You think I was forced to come here because of some stupid biological instinct?!"

He glared back at her, his expression so full of hurt and longing, it almost broke her heart to look at him.

Almost.

"Listen here, you," Caroline ordered, stepping about an inch away from him. She jerked a finger at his chest. "I was not compelled here, nor was I forced, nor did I have no choice in the matter. You got that? No one decides my fate but me!"

Caroline was on a roll and yelling into his sullen, drunken face was very therapeutic. "If this stupid mating bond crap did have any freaking control over my freewill and choices, don't you think I would have come to New Orleans a lot earlier? I mean, that's what you wanted all along, right? But this is my life, and my choices. I told you a long time ago that they didn't include you, but right now, they do, and it has nothing to do with any stupid mating bond! Got it?!"

She was about an inch away from his nose and standing on her tiptoes. Breathing hard, she watched with satisfaction as his eyes softened and he swallowed. It occurred to her that she was standing very close to him.

"But you can't know that for sure," Klaus said quietly. "We don't know what this link does. How it affects—us." She was not imagining the small smile as he said 'us'.

"God, I am not reliving that whole Damon/Elena sire bond drama," Caroline said in disgust. "Fine. Just order me to do something."

His eyes flicked downwards and she realized he was staring at her mouth. She inhaled, trying to center herself, and only succeeded in making herself dizzy.

The words were so soft, she almost didn't hear them.

"Kiss me."

Her stomach flipped. Memories of the last kiss they shared flooded through her mind and she tried hard not to remember how good it felt to kiss him, how right.

Caroline leaned forward. He barely closed his eyes and Caroline allowed herself the luxury of staring at his lips, letting that desire fill her.

But instead, she smacked him sharply on the cheek and stepped away from him.

"See?" Caroline said triumphantly. "You can't order me around. So stop drinking, stop acting like a moody teenager, and go to bed."

And with that, she flounced out the door.

XXXX

Come morning, Klaus appeared to be in a better mood. Caroline carefully avoided his gaze and returned his greeting very politely, though without reaching his gaze. Elijah poured himself a cup of coffee and Rebekah sighed loudly.

"Where is Kylie?" She demanded in irritation. "We said we would reconvene at nine."

"She said she was brining her coven," Elijah replied reasonably. "But as we know, our relations with witches have not exactly been pleasant. It might take her a little bit."

Rebekah's eyes narrowed. "I don't trust her. All of the other witches we asked for help turned us down flat—with good reason. But Kylie said yes right away. She's a little bit too agreeable, if you ask me."

"She knows something about the voodoo spirit I met in the tunnels when I was rescuing Klaus," Caroline volunteered. "She wouldn't say what. But it really pissed her off that he spoke to me."

Elijah leaned forward. "What spirit?"

"Baron Saturday," Caroline crossed her arms. "Do you know who that is?"

Elijah's brow furrowed. "You mean Baron Samedi—you're saying he spoke to you? He had a corporeal form?"

Caroline blinked. "Um, yes?"

"Voodoo spirits don't generally appear physically before mortals—or immortals, as the case may be," Klaus explained. "They possess witches. Their followers. So the fact that one of the more powerful loa appeared before you—that would be an insult to Kylie and everything her family stands for."

Caroline frowned. "But Madame Lalaurie summoned him. Why didn't he attack me? I mean, he sent some pretty freaky hallucinations. But I made it through….relatively easily."

Klaus and Elijah glanced at each other uneasily. "I don't know," Elijah replied. "The loa…are unpredictable."

There was a faint buzzing sound and Rebekah pulled out her phone. Her pretty brow furrowed and she wordlessly handed the phone to Elijah.

"What is it?" Caroline wanted to know.

"A text from Kylie," Elijah said slowly. "Her coven refused to meet with us, but Kylie's given us directions to meet her."

Rebekah folded her arms. "How convenient. As per usual."

"Where does she want to meet?" Klaus asked calmly.

"Outside of her mother's voodoo shop," Elijah replied. "But I fear our sister is right. Now that we have Klaus, we cannot depend on Kylie's loyalties."

"She's aware we're beginning to doubt her," Klaus idly fidgeted with the rim of his coffee cup. "That's why she did not meet us here. Very well. We'll make haste to her little shop and see what news she has for us."

Caroline cleared her throat. "I still think it's a stupid idea for Klaus to be wandering around New Orleans unprotected," She said flatly. "We just got him back and there is nothing stopping Madame Lalaurie from snatching him again. That sire bond is still active, she could order Klaus to kill all of us."

Klaus smiled at her. "I won't deny that Madame Lalaurie caught me unawares—or the fact that I underestimated her power. But she won't get the upper hand again, love. I promise."

Caroline disagreed but it appeared she was once again outvoted.

"Is Caroline even joining us?" Rebekah asked slyly. "It was my understanding that she wanted to rescue Klaus and then return to her holiday."

All three Originals turned towards Caroline. She threw Rebekah a withering glare and cleared her throat again.

"I said I'd rescue Klaus, Klaus isn't fully rescued while being bound to Lalaurie," She said promptly. "After that—then I'll leave."

She could feel Klaus' eyes upon her but she did not return his gaze.

XXXX

The French Quarter was a bustling area, filled with lights and sounds that permeated through every step. Caroline heard street performers, saw dancers, an impromptu parade—it was the most delightful paradox, a world saturated with spirits and death, yet full of glorious life. She tried not to let herself be captivated by its wild, untamed beauty. She could sense Klaus reveling in her wonder at his favorite city and it was deeply annoying to provide him that satisfaction.

Elijah stopped in front a tiny little nook with a broken sign hanging before it: CELASTIN WARES. It didn't look like much, not compared to some of the larger, grander voodoo shops that littered the streets. Frankly, it looked more like a dive than a shop.

Elijah opened the door and the four stepped inside. Caroline's nostrils were filled with various pungent, musky odors—everything from cinnamon to animal blood. She wondered what it must be like for Klaus, with his hybrid senses, and hid a smile when she saw him grimace.

"Hey," Kylie greeted them from behind the counter. "I made something for Klaus."

She held up a little leather pouch. "Gris-gris. Customized to hide the Original Hybrid. It won't make you completely invisible to Lalaurie, but it'll mask yourself pretty thoroughly."

Klaus wordlessly took the pouch, stringing it around his neck. Caroline watched him do so with deep reservations, but Klaus didn't seem concerned.

Kylie cleared her throat. "And since you were so curious about that werewolf mating bond thing—I asked a friend of mine from the local werewolf pack to answer any questions. He said he'd meet us later."

"Mm," Klaus smiled at her, though it looked more like baring his teeth. "How obliging of you."

Kylie narrowed her eyes. "You guys got a problem with me?" She asked challengingly.

"Not at all," Elijah said smoothly. "We're all after the same goal, aren't we? The destruction of Madame Lalaurie. I'm sure Kylie is aware of the repercussions of betraying an Original, let alone all three of them. Klaus is just a little nervous, he did just return, after all." He clapped a hand on Klaus' shoulder and Kylie looked slightly discomfited.

"All right," Kylie said warily. "Well, I found some stuff out about that church we found Lalaurie in. We need to go to the churchyard, the one with the blank grave—"

"Kylie?"

Caroline turned to see a frail little woman totter into the shop. She wore a cotton dress with a knitted shawl wrapped around her bony shoulders. She looked as if a sudden gust of wind would blow her away.

"Grand-mere," Kylie swallowed. "I thought you were at Mass."

The old woman ignored her. "Who are these?" She gestured towards the Originals and Caroline. Caroline noticed her eyes were a bright green and seemed full of life.

Klaus smirked and Caroline got the uncomfortable feeling that he was pleased at this turn of events.

"Well, well, well," Klaus purred. "Kylie, is this your grandmother? What a charming woman. And you take care of her all by yourself?"

Kylie clenched her fists.

"Don't you worry, Kylie," Klaus said smoothly, giving Kylie's grandmother a winsome smile. "We value the importance of family, don't we, Elijah? Life is such a fleeting thing. We must cherish what we have while we have it."

"Knock it off," Caroline snapped at him and was about to scold him further when the old woman's eyes widened. She walked towards Caroline and took her hands.

Caroline blinked. She looked at Kylie for explanation, but Kylie seemed just as bewildered at her grandmother's behavior. The old woman's eyes filled with tears as she gazed at Caroline.

"Er—do—do I know you?" Caroline asked hesitantly.

The old woman released her hands and briskly wiped her eyes. "No, no," She said sadly. "No, no. Poor sweets. Poor, poor sweets. Flames only flicker when they're being blown about…poor sweets. You be good to her." She directed her sudden and fierce command to Klaus. "You be good to her."

Something prickled up Caroline's spine at the old woman's words, but Kylie gently took her shoulders and led her away. "C'mon, Grand-mere. Go to bed, you'll feel better."

There was a strange sort of silence as Kylie led her up the stairs and Caroline's stomach lurched. She could feel the Originals staring at her—Rebekah with curiosity and suspicion, Elijah with calculation and concern, and Klaus…

Klaus' expression was unreadable.

"Sorry about that," Kylie returned, folding her arms in front of her chest. "She gets a little weird sometimes."

Elijah cleared his throat. "You indicated that you had more information for us."

"Yeah, I do," Kylie replied. "We should go to the churchyard, the one at Madame Lalaurie's church."

Caroline worried her lip. "Isn't that dangerous? Will she still be there, do you think?"

"Maybe," Kylie allowed. "I can mask Klaus' presence pretty thoroughly, as long as he doesn't do anything stupid. But my guess is she vacated. She's probably still using that church's energies—for reasons I'll explain when we get there—but I doubt she's physically there."

"Well," Klaus smirked triumphantly. "That settles that. Shall we, Caroline?"

XXXX

The sky was overcast when they left Kylie's house, and Caroline's nose prickled from the smell of rain. Kylie casually acknowledged that a storm was brewing and they ought to make their business fast—but Caroline remembered something Bonnie had told her. Natural events, like full moons or storms, were prime time for witches. She cast a quick look at Elijah, who seemed unsettled as well.

"Here we are," Kylie stopped in front of the little churchyard. "So here's the deal. The land this church was built on belonged to Madame Lalaurie. Her husband owned a lot of little plots of land and developing areas, because he needed a lot of money to keep up with her lavish lifestyle—and she needed places to hide the bodies."

Caroline sucked in her breath.

"C'mon inside, Caroline," Kylie said calmly, opening the gate and stepping inside the cemetery. Throwing a quick look at the Originals, Caroline followed.

Klaus was only a few steps behind her when he suddenly snapped, "Stop."

Caroline turned towards him, bewildered.

"What do you think you're playing at?" Klaus hissed. Thunder rumbled and Caroline looked at Kylie.

Kylie's face was impassive. "Sorry, guys. I wish it didn't have to be this way."

"What are you talking about?" Caroline demanded. "What's going in?"

Klaus bared his teeth. "Invite us in, you witch, or you'll never see your grandmother again," He snarled at her and it hit Caroline—the Originals couldn't enter the churchyard.

"I'm not stupid, Klaus," Kylie snorted. "You think I'd leave her unprotected?"

"Let us in!" Rebekah snapped. "Now!"

"Kylie, what are you doing?" Caroline shouted.

Kylie snatched Caroline's arm. The last thing Caroline saw was Klaus' expression—murderous rage with the barest trace of fear in his eyes—and then her world went black.