Thunder roared, loud enough to make the ground shake and awaken Caroline. Stumbling forward, she stood, the flashes of lightning confusing her vision. She could no longer hear Klaus' angry yells, but she heard rain, a torrential downpour, by the sounds of it.

But she felt no wetness upon her skin. She could no longer see the Originals outside of the churchyard, fog obscuring everything—it was as if she were standing in the eye of a storm, an absurd sort of calm while the earth moaned and raged around her.

"Kylie!" Caroline shouted. "What are you doing?!"

The witch was standing in the middle of the churchyard, staring determinedly forward. She was looking forward, past the two largest graves at the very back of the cemetery, as if she expected something to walk through them. Thunder boomed again and Caroline shivered.

"Kylie!"

Kylie stiffened but did not turn towards Caroline. Her attention was captured by someone else, gracefully meeting her between the graves. Caroline felt weak.

Madame Lalaurie.

"Now this is a surprise," Madame Lalaurie purred. "I didn't expect you to call for me, of all things. Not that I'm complaining. I have been trying to reach you for quite a while now, Kylie."

"Save it," Kylie snarled. "And I wasn't trying to call you."

"Oh, of course," Madame Lalaurie smirked. "But you do understand, don't you? The Baron and I are on the same side, you realize. We both want the same thing. It would be best not to disappoint us, you know."

"I've given you my answer."

Madame Lalaurie laughed, glancing at Caroline. "And what is this? A gift to appease me? I am not so easily satisfied as that."

"You don't understand," Kylie said flatly. "I've spoken to the Baron—and he agreed! He said the price was fair! She can be your little plaything now!"

"You forget who is in control here," Madame Lalaurie said quietly. "I am the Queen of New Orleans—not the Baron. It is I who fixes the price, not him. And I won't deny she is lovely and interesting—" She quirked her fingers forward. Caroline felt as though an invisible line jerked her chest forward, pulling her towards the witches. She attempted to anchor her feet but only succeeded in turning up dirt piles as she was dragged.

"But she," Madame Lalaurie continued, amusedly tucking Caroline's chin. "Is not you, my dear." Caroline attempted to wrest her face away but found herself immobilized.

"But you don't know," Kylie retorted. "How could you? You have no natural gifts. But she is Klaus' mate. Klaus—the Original Hybrid." She folded her arms defiantly and Caroline tried to figure out what the hell they were talking about.

Something shifted in Madame Lalaurie's expression. She turned her cold, dark eyes towards Caroline and examined her thoroughly.

"Well, well, well," Madame Lalaurie murmured softly. "That does change things…"

"You'd have better luck with her than with me," Kylie balled her fists. "How many years has it been? 200 years, give or take? And you still haven't succeeded. And you never will, because my power is waning and I'm letting it fade freely. But Caroline's young—you've noticed her light, that aura of purity despite her vampirism. And you can't resist the Hybrid's allure either. That's why the Baron agreed, isn't it? He's curious as to what would happen."

"What the hell are you two talking about?" Caroline burst out.

"Quiet dear, the adults are talking," Madame Lalaurie said calmly and Caroline found her mouth slamming shut. "I won't deny your offer is intriguing…" She stepped forward, reaching forward to touch Kylie's cheek. Kylie didn't even flinch as Madame Lalaurie dragged her index finger down the side of her face.

"I always thought," Madame Lalaurie said musingly. "It was a shame about your color. Your lineage was so perfect…I've heard of half-breeds that could pass for white. But I suppose there's a certain logic to the Devil being black."

"Say that to me again," Kylie said acidly. "And I'll rip whatever shriveled entrails makes up your heart, mark my words."

Madame Lalaurie gave Caroline another long look. "Very well then. I accept your price."

Caroline felt her voice return. "What price?!" She demanded. "Kylie, what have you done?" She turned towards the witch she'd begun to believe was her ally.

"I'm protecting my family," Kylie replied coldly. "And myself. Nothing you wouldn't do if you were in my place."

"Kylie, don't!" Caroline tried to step towards her. "I don't know what you're doing, but you don't have to do this! We can take her down together, right now!"

Madame Lalaurie. "She is an optimistic little thing, isn't she? I am liking this deal more and more with each passing second. Of course…this will require the Hybrid."

"That's your problem," Kylie said flatly. "You've accepted my terms, that means you and I are done. The deal is complete. You will not come after me again. You will not harm my family."

Madame Lalaurie eyed her. "Your family. Interesting choice of words."

"Blood means nothing," Kylie spat. "You can tell the Baron I said so."

Madame Lalaurie sighed dramatically. "Very well, then. If these two are mates, then it shouldn't be hard to have Klaus come to me. I'll leave him a calling card." She laughed merrily and took Caroline's arm.

"Kylie, please!" Caroline shouted. A small flicker of regret swam across Kylie's features, but her face hardened and she turned away.

The storm stilled.

XXXX

Thunder boomed, shaking the debilitated church, and lighting sliced through the sky wickedly. Klaus bellowed in rage as Kylie and Caroline were swallowed up in some kind of thick fog.

"Caroline!" He screamed. "I'll bloody tear your grandmother in two, Kylie! Caroline!"

"I don't understand!" Rebekah shouted as it began to pour. "How can she keep us out? This isn't a house, it's a cemetery!"

Elijah drew his sister close. "Klaus, we need to go inside the church—the rain—"

"I'm not going anywhere."

Elijah watched in horror as his brother's eyes shifted into wolf eyes. Klaus' fangs bared and his face was becoming malformed—he was changing.

"Klaus, no!" Elijah grabbed his shoulders. "Klaus, regain control of yourself!"

Claws were elongating from Klaus' hands. Desperately, Elijah shook him.

"You will be of no use to Caroline if you start massacring people!" Elijah shouted. "Control yourself! Caroline needs you—needs you, Klaus, not your wolf form!"

Saying Caroline's name helped. The transformation slowed down and Klaus began to take deep breaths. Elijah swallowed in relief when his brother's fangs and claws receded and his eyes resumed their natural color.

"You're right," Klaus exhaled through his nose. "You're right. Both of you, stay here. This wolf best go get the grandmother for safekeeping."

Elijah shook his head. "I'm sure it's a trap. Kylie would not have let us see her grandmother if she weren't fully prepared for our counterattack—you'll only get caught further in her web."

"What does this mean?" Rebekah demanded. "Has that bitch been working for Madame Lalaurie all along?"

The sky flashed again and it began to pour. In helpless frustration, Klaus began to pace.

"Why would they want Caroline?" He burst out. "She has no connection to New Orleans! This is the first time she's ever been here. Aside from getting to me, why would Madame Lalaurie want her? Wouldn't it make more sense to find me first and then torment me with harming Caroline?"

"That's assuming Kylie is bringing Caroline to Madame Lalaurie," Elijah pointed out. "We don't know that for certain."

"What else could she be doing?" Rebekah threw up her hands.

"But Lalaurie just met Caroline, it wouldn't make sense—" Elijah argued.

"Enough!" Klaus thundered. "I don't bloody care anymore! But we are getting in that cemetery if I have to slaughter every last witch in the Quarter!"

Lightning cracked the sky open at his passionate pronouncement, and the rain suddenly receded. Klaus swept towards the gate and cried out in anguish. The fog had dissipated and Kylie stood in the middle of the churchyard. Caroline was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is she," Klaus' voice was husky with rage and wolf-like snarls slurred every syllable.

Kylie didn't look impressed. She turned away from them, taking a deep breath—for a terrible moment, it looked like she too, would vanish from their sight. But suddenly, her eyes widened in shock—there was someone standing next to her.

He was thin as a shadow, with dark skin, yet a pale white face. He wore a tophat and smoked a cigar, while sipping a tumbler of rum.

"Mm, Kylie," He said aloud and Klaus narrowed his eyes at the stranger. "You disappoint me, 'cher."

Kylie looked paralyzed in shock. Apparently, whatever she'd done had not banked on a voodoo spirit interrupting.

"Baron Samedi," Elijah whispered tightly to Klaus. The same spirit who had visited Caroline, who had apparently let her roam through Madame Lalaurie's tunnels unharmed.

The spirit turned towards the Originals and beamed at them like a proud uncle.

"My children," He boomed. "I welcome you to my house. This cemetery—and every cemetery—is my home and kingdom. And therefore—I invite you in."

Elijah's eyes widened in shock but Klaus didn't hesitate. In a flash he was inside the cemetery, hands wrapped around Kylie's throat. He lifted her upwards, choking the life out of her.

"My patience has run out, Miss Celastin," Klaus hissed. "So I suggest you start talking. Where is Caroline?"

Kylie coughed. "She's—waiting—for you—" She said, her voice strangled. "Madame Lalaurie has her…"

"Wrong answer," Klaus' eyes darkened to amber and his fangs elongated. But before he could rip her traitorous throat out, Elijah snatched Klaus' shoulder and pushed him away.

"We need her," Elijah said gravely. Klaus snarled deep in his throat.

"If Caroline's hurt," His voice was raspy. "The witch burns."

XXXX

"What the hell do you want with me?" Caroline demanded. "What were you and Kylie talking about? What deal did you two make?"

They were in an abandoned building—apparently Madame Lalaurie was very familiar with the ruins Hurricane Katrina left behind. It made a perfect hiding place to be fair, but Caroline was in no mood for admiration.

Madame Lalaurie's eyes glittered. "You are a curious little thing, aren't you?" She remarked. She didn't seem irritated at the interrogation; Caroline rather suspected Lalaurie enjoyed the sound of her own voice.

"Do you have something on Kylie?" Caroline wanted to know. "She said something about you threatening her family—and that you had a history with her family!"

"Well, that, strictly speaking, is accurate," Madame Lalaurie chuckled. "But I wouldn't worry. You ought to enjoy yourself, Miss Forbes. After all, your lover will be here soon enough to rescue you."

Caroline wrinkled. "Oh my God, he is not my lover!"

"Oh no?" Madame Lalaurie examined her fingernails. "You're saying he won't come for you?"

Caroline chose to ignore that. "What did Kylie mean—her power was waning?"

A sly smile spread across Lalaurie's face. "My sweet Kylie is a stubborn little thing. And rash. Suffice it to say, Miss Forbes, you are a backup plan, as it were. Kylie should know by now I will never let her go."

"What are you talking about?" Caroline snapped.

"Kylie thinks she can pawn you off to escape her fate," Madame Lalaurie explained slowly. "But she is a fool. I never settle for half, I have always gotten exactly what I wanted—and more. The Hybrid will not let Kylie escape till you are found—and then I will have all three of you." She gazed out the window, a satisfied sneer painting her lips. Caroline felt like screaming in frustration.

"What fate?" Caroline snarled. "What are you even talking about?"

Madame Lalaurie arched an eyebrow. "Tell me, Caroline—do you know much of Marie Laveau?"

Caroline blinked. "Uh—some voodoo witch or something?"

"Not just some," Madame Lalaurie corrected. "The. The Voodoo Queen. An incredible woman with unimaginable powers…she and I had an understanding, you see. An understanding about my daughter, Cecile."

Caroline held her breath—it suddenly sounded like she was finally getting some answers.

"Cecile was a romantic, but she did not choose her lovers wisely—much like you," Madame Lalaurie chuckled. "She angered one of the loa—and with Marie Laveau's help, that loa cursed Cecile's bastard child. The devil's bastard. The devil baby of Bourbon Street."

Caroline stared at her, completely lost.

"Poor thing," Madame Lalaurie clucked. "You really did come to New Orleans unprepared, didn't you? Let's just say Baron Saturday has a fondness for pretty women and a fascination for death and life—he is a spirit of the crossroads, after all."

Something clicked in Caroline's mind. What was it that the Baron had said? The Celastin family has been one of my most devoted followers…I'd like to see them play their final hand.

"Wait a second," Caroline said slowly. "Are you saying…that Kylie is…your…?"

"Goddaughter, I never claimed her as a Lalaurie," Madame Lalaurie smirked. "I have enough pride to not flaunt my daughter's floozying. But yes, my granddaughter. It shouldn't surprise you—don't you know the devil doesn't age?"