Ch 5

"What have we here?" Something was off. The great hall looked...different. Klaus entered the room noting Elijah at his usual spot, halfway done with his meal, and his guest, nowhere to be found.

The change in the room was subtle, almost unnoticeable to an outsider. There, in the middle of the great table, sat a bouquet of blue hyacinths in a silver vase. His eyes scanned the room again, several bouquets of flowers had been placed strategically around the room. The drapes had been thrown open flooding the room in the morning light.

Sitting down he questioned his brother, "Was it your idea to brighten up the room?" He knew the answer before his brother spoke.

"Caroline has been quite busy this morning. Have you not noticed the halls?"

Thinking back, he realized he had not given it much notice, however, there were quite a number of vases with fresh flowers in them. His little guest appeared to be making new arrangements. Curious, that she should be so bold as to change his surroundings.

He found her in the garden. An accident, really, he had meant to find the gardener, fully intending to keep his word the other day. Instead, he came accross Caroline. Her sunshine hair a veil around her face as she cut and trimmed some tulips. The sun brought out the pinks in her skin, glow to her features. He made a note to inlcude that finding in his painting.

She had not noticed him yet as he walked towards her. He took a second to enjoy her unique scent before he spoke, "Is my castle not bright enough for you?"

She tensed but remained firmly occupied with her task at hand, "You have such a lovely garden, it seemed a waste not to bring some of it in."

He could not fault that logic, though he felt like it was a jab at him personally. The excersize and sun did wonders to her complexion. He found he could not look away, wishing to observe her more. Klaus, having made a decision, took a seat on a nearby bench.

"Tell me of your family, love," he interlaced his fingers in front of him, a stance that meant he would not leave any time soon. "If what you said is true and they think your existence is a burden to them, they will not miss you? Your father no doubt will."

An aggravated sigh escaped her pink lips, her breath moved the small strands in front of her face. He was mesmerized. Caroline straightened up, brushing off the dirt from her hands on the apron he had not noticed. Her gaze was as penetrating as always. Finally, she spoke, "Why ask? Why care enough to find out?"

He shrugged. In truth he did not care, he simply wanted her to speak more and show off that stubbornness that fascinated him. He had met many a stubborn woman, but none had caught his attention like this woman had. There was no explanation he could find for it. She was a pretty faced woman with a quick wit and sharp tongue. There would be others like her but for now, she had managed to capture his attention.

"Do I need an ulterior motive to find out more about my guest?"

"Yes! You plan to kill me," she exclaimed in that fiery passion he enjoyed, her hands on her hips in defiance.

"All the more reason for you to share." He smirked devilishly at her, "I dare you."

Another sigh from her, "Fine," she rolled her eyes, "But I wish to take a walk of the grounds, I will tell you a little of my family, but that is all." Without waiting for an answer, she turned and started walking away.

A chuckle escaped him as he followed after her, easily catching up to her. He fell into an easy stride next to her, "So your siblings do not care for you?" He felt a tug at the thought, close to a kinship with her really. However, his siblings, trying as they were, had promised to stand by each other, 'Always and forever' they had said centuries ago.

"Oh, please, spare my feelings, good sir," Caroline scoffed at him, the sarcasm dripping on every word. "You're far from subtle, I should think."

"I could say the same of you, love."

A quick glance towards him was his only reply. She reluctantly began to speak, "My siblings care only for themselves. I should phrase that better, they're selfish and vain. They know not how to take care of themselves," she huffed defeatedly. "I know they mean well, and they love me in their own way but sometimes…" She licked her lips, deep in thought now. His eyes followed the movement.

He watched her carefully, any signs or tells of what she held on to. The dream they shared was constantly in his mind, he wanted, no, needed, to know what it was, what it meant. Then he would be rid of this distracting creature before him. His curse had to be the only thing he cared for now, after, he would get rid of Mikael. Caroline would be

She was speaking again, bringing him out of his thoughts, "My eldest brother, Brandon, taught me how to ride a horse. All my gowns have come from my sisters who taught me how to sew. My father taught me how to play chess and some of his trade."

"How ladylike," he smirked, teasing the blonde next to him.

"I haven't told you the worst of it, brace yourself for the true horrors of being a lady with her own mind." She smiled at her joke and he swore the sun became paler at the sight. Being this close to her, he saw a lightness, a spark in her eyes. And like a moth to a flame, she drew him further in.

"I used to climb the trees at our country home, our servants would search for me the better part of the day. My mother always found me, though. I ruined too many dresses that she would have to mend as best she could." Her voice, like a bell, captured his attention like a spell. Deep down, he wanted to hear more of it, pull the most delightful sounds from her. How would her voice sound first thing in the morning? Was her laugh as melodious in a crowd, or was it best heard in the quiet hours of the night with no one else around?

The silence pulled him from his musings, Caroline had a far-off look in her eyes, a solemn demeanor on her face. A little crease had formed between her eyes. He couldn't help himself, "Something wrong, love?"

Her blue eyes met his quickly, the melancholia around her lifted, "Oh, no, just thinking." She bit her lip. The quick deflection confirmed that she was lying. He didn't push for more information, instead, he kept silent as they walked on.

"And what of your family? Tell me about your other siblings."

Caught off guard, Klaus looked at her quizzically. Discussing his family was off limits. Few knew the truth, the stories, and they kept it that way for good reasons.

"Come now, Klaus." His name on her lips did things to him, played with long-dead feelings, he forced his mind to quiet against the noise of his little black heart. "There are no secrets between the living and the dead. It is only a matter of time before I depart this world, correct?" She challenged him. Eyes like glittering stars. He found he enjoyed that spitfire attitude of hers more and more.

"I suppose you're correct. What would you care to know?"

"You said you have two other brothers and a sister, what are they like? Where are they now? Do you not miss them? Are your siblings' vampires as well?"

Chuckling at the onslaught of questions, he replied, "So many questions," he smirked at the pretty blush spreading across the apples of her cheeks. "My siblings and I do not talk to our oldest brother, Finn. His whereabouts are unknown. My youngest brother, Kol, is a wild thing. He's most likely found a coven of witches to play with, a favorite of his."

Catching her surprised look he elaborated, "Perhaps, a story for another time.

"Rebekah is the youngest of us. My sister is as beautiful as she is deadly. I fancy she's off in France, charming some poor noble out of his gold and home.

"See, my mother, with a desire to never lose us, turned my siblings and me into vampires. We were gifted with immortality, strength, the ability to bend anyone to our will."

Caroline gazed at nothing in particular, her brow creased in thought. "The perfect predator, then?"

A devilish smile spread across his features, "My family, yes, our sires on the other hand…" He paused, watching her eyes catch his with interest. Such a curious thing.

"Once, about a hundred or so years ago, my sister and I started a war. Completely by accident," he watched her eyes light up again in that way he was finding too enjoyable.

"How in the world did you accomplish that?" She couldn't help but ask.

"My sister stole a bucket."

"A bucket?" Caroline looked at him with unsuppressed skepticism.

He laughed as they walked on, with the sun moving lazily across the sky, he gave her small tales from his life. He had refrained from the worst of his offenses for reasons he would later think further upon. He told her stories of Kol and his love of witches, about Rebekah and her many trials with love, how Elijah always found the best company to keep at the worst of times, and he caught himself telling her a story of Henrik. Klaus soon excused himself from her presence after that. Telling her of Henrik was not something he had planned to do. Telling her anything of his life had not been his intentions.

The girl would have to go. He had a curse to think about.

The hour was late, much too late. The moon had long since been shrouded by clouds making it hard to tell the exact hour. It didn't matter, she couldn't sleep a wink. Her mind would not let her, wandering back to her walk with Klaus in the garden.

How could he be so charming and open, and yet dangerous underneath? She could feel the unspoken threat behind his eyes. The intense stare. A darkness to his presence. There was something missing, something he wasn't telling her, maybe a whole book's worth of knowledge he refrained from telling her. And Caroline was not entirely sure she wished to find out.

With her mind so intent on being active, she threw her covers off. There must be something she could do to distract her mind. Quickly finding an overcoat, a deep red velvet that promised to be somewhat warm in the chill of the night, she hastily pulled it on and fumbled with lighting a candle.

Perhaps a book to lull her to sleep. Maybe she could find one about the proper care of livestock? That sounded sufficiently boring to her. Although, their cow at home was having a tough time at present. She would have to find another one. One that didn't peak her interest in any way. I would have better luck with finding out Klaus' secrets than finding a book to put me to sleep.

The halls were, indeed, much colder than her room. The floor, cool under her bare feet as she padded down the dark halls, made small noises in protest to her late-night intrusion. Shadows danced along the walls in time to the small flickering flame of her candle. Caroline forced the spark of fear in her chest to still itself, no use in being afraid of nothing.

Soon, she found herself at the door of the library. Proud of her memory, she quickly opened it. Her eyes fought to adjust to the darkened room. She maneuvered around the objects she could make out till she came upon one of the shelves.

Her fingers skimmed along the various spines, flame close enough to make out the text. An Italian book on perspective, the Priest from Kahlenberg, Facetiae - a book of jokes? Her fingers dipped around the book about the priest, this would probably do for the night, how exciting or educational could it be? Upon removing it, the joke book slanted leaving Caroline a view of the shelve's backing. A flash from her candle caught her eye, a glint of iron behind the books. What in Heaven's name could that be?

Cautiously, she removed a few more books to reveal a handle. How strange, she had thought. Grasping the handle, she halfheartedly pulled at it. The entire shelf moved a fraction towards her.

"What is this?" Caroline pulled harder, the entire shelf swung a fraction more towards her. The weight of the books meant it would be near impossible for her to move the whole thing easily. Quickly, she moved as many books as she could reach, stacking them neatly on all the available surfaces near her. The bookcase, now almost bare bones, revealed that it had been placed infront of a door. With steady hands, she scooted the case away from the wall, allowing herself to move the door enough to squeeze past.

The door opened without issue, bringing with it a rush of damp, cool air and the stale scent of earth. For the first time since she entered the room that night, she second guessed her actions. Behind this door was yet another unknown. Something she very likely could not wrap her mind around with her current record at this castle. Or it was a hidden room, a cellar, a completely harmless closet...that was purposefully hidden away...

Well, here I go, then. Caroline slid, candle first, through the gap of the door.

Immediately, she realized that she was on a set of stairs leading down. Her bare feet felt numb against the freezing stones as she traveled down. She felt as though she had just started on the stairs before her feet found the dirt floor. I must only be a floor below, she thought as her candle cast a pale glow over the tiny room.

Her eyes fell on a nearby table with several items strewn across its top, papers with drawings, maps, letters. Idly, her hands ghosted over some of them. The letters were proclamations of love, the maps were of cities she had never heard of, and the drawings were rich with details and quite good. A fanciful letter opener caught her eye before she turned to see the rest of the room.

The dim light revealed several large boxes on the floor. Forgotten trunks? Or chests filled with treasures from far away lands? Her eyes widened as she walked closer, they were coffins. Four coffins all laid in the middle of the room. Her heart sank to her stomach, an icy grip of fear held her still. Whose coffins did these belong to? What if these were the coffins of the previous owners of the castle? Past victims? Future victims? Was one meant for her? No that didn't make any sense, she doubted that vampires cared for victims, or at least she doubted Klaus cared for his.

With shaking hands and unsteady feet, she walked to the nearest one. As if she were possessed, her hand reached out to touch the coffin in front of her. Her hand met its stone lid.

Gingerly, she pushed at the lid which gave under her touch. Underneath, laid a still woman, her skin was gray and veined. She looked as if she was simply sleeping. Her hair was light like Caroline's and her dress looked much older than hers, the style was unlike any she had seen at present. Her eyes fell on a dagger protruding from her chest. God above, was that how she died? Questions flooded her mind. Who was this beauty who appeared as if she simply slept? When did she die?

"Hello, love."

AN: Thank you to those that review, whether or not they're critical or caring, I'm happy to receive them, thanks for reading and being patient with me. :D