Ch 14

The library was blessedly empty.

Coward.

Caroline shook her head, ridding herself of the dark thoughts that seemed to plague her. She had woken late into the morning. Not a soul bothered her, something she was all too glad for. If she could limit her interactions with all who dwelled in the castle she would. Call her a coward, but she could not bear to face anyone. Doubtful she could pretend that everything was fine. The dark cellar with the coffins sounded more appealing to her. At least they would not ask her questions, tell her she was worthless, comment on her reddened eyes and dark circles. How terrible you look today, Caroline? Whatever has happened to you?

Reminding her self of the meal Mary had provided for her. The tea and a meager plate were waiting for her in her room still. Caroline made a note to herself, not for the first time, to ask for the tea's recipe. She couldn't place the flavor or the leaves they used but it had quickly become a favorite of hers.

Mary even assured her that at least one of the brothers had run out, urgent errands apparently. The other was entertaining her friend in the gardens. A perfect opportunity to quickly steal a book and retreat into her room. With said book in hand, she left the library hoping to make a speedy, and solitary, return to her room.

Her luck had run out, however, as she rounded the last corner, Trevor appeared out of thin air. She had enough time to gasp in surprise, dropping her book in the process, before her back collided with the stone wall in a painful thud. A rough hand clamped down on her mouth to quiet the building scream she had mustered. His other hand grabbed her right one, holding it to the wall next to her head. His grip was too tight, a bruise already forming. He pressed his body into hers, pinning her to the wall.

His eyes, wild and wide, stared into hers. His pupils grew, as he spoke, "Do not scream. You will meet me in the garden at midnight and you will tell no one." Her free hand, recently occupied with a book long forgotten, scratched and pulled at the one around her mouth. He removed his hand from around her mouth before she had a chance to bite it.

"Are you mad? I will do no such thing!" She half yelled at the mad man before her.

Trevor used his free hand to grip her around her waist, pulling her even closer to him in a crushing vice grip. Her ribs protested, making it hard for her to breath. "Why are you not-vervain." Vervain? Why would he bring up a plant? Surely he has lost his mind. "Nevermind that, you've been flirting with me since I arrived."

In a breathy voice, lungs fighting for a full breath of air, Caroline countered, "I have done no such thing. I barely tolerate your presence, sir." With her free arm, she pushed again at her captor's chest. Her strength was no match for the man, though.

"It's no matter, you will do as I say or Katerina will disappear before the sacrifice."

"You wouldn't be so bold as to try." That's it, he has lost all sense. She may not know all the inner workings of vampires and their abilities, but she knew 2 were better than one. "What would the brothers do to you when they find out?"

"Oh no, not me, what will they do to you?" Her eyes widened in surprise and confusion, Trevor continued, "I'll make sure all signs point to you. The better question is, who would they believe? Their trusted, sired vampire who delivered the doppelganger to them or the human who's been her friend for years? Who wouldn't believe her pretty little friend wanted to save her life?

"And Caroline, I wouldn't hold your breath if you were planning to tell one of the brothers. Elijah is not set to arrive back until supper, and Klaus will be leaving shortly to take care of business until tomorrow. And let's not forget who's faster and stronger here," His grip constricted making Caroline yelp in pain. Several loud cracks followed instantly by intense pain in her side and hand. "I'll be listening in case you need a companion to grab another book. Do not keep me waiting tonight." He dropped her suddenly, done with his threats. Her knees buckled, causing her to fall to the ground.

Caroline wasn't entirely sure he left the hallway as she fought to control herself from crying out in agony. The pain radiated from her chest and hand. The silliest thought crossed her mind, then, how will I write to Rebekah? She could almost laugh from the absurdity. What she did was cry. Long silent tears rolled down her cheeks.

Pick yourself up.

Pick. Yourself. Up.

You are Caroline Forbes.

And you will be strong.

Gingerly, and with the utmost caution she could muster, she stood up. She leaned her heated cheek against the stone, thankful for its coolness. Wincing at each step, breathing in short labored breaths, she walked back to her room empty handed.

"Really, Kat, I've been feeling ill all day. Lack of sleep." She forced a bright smile on her face, "I think I'll turn in early," she grabbed her friend's hand, making sure to use her uninjured one, "and you will be a much need source of entertainment and conversation."

"You've been in here all day, you should at least have something to eat." She tossed her hair away from her shoulder revealing her ample cleavage in a deep blue dress. "The evening is much better when you are there, you distract Trevor for me."

Caroline paled at his name.

She had been going round and round in her head, over and over again, trying to figuring out what to do. If she had left the room she had no doubt Trevor would be there, waiting and watching. She knew that vampires had heightened senses, any of them could hear this very conversation. And what would they do if she came out and warned her friend? Told her about what had happened? Was she even sure either brother were downstairs listening to them now? She could not know for certain. Could she take the risk to whisper in her friend's ear? With the flippant way Kat acted to her previous warning she doubted she would take this seriously.

Her hand was useless in its current state, certain that it and one of her ribs were broken. Writing was off the table. Caroline had thought to whisper a message to Mary. However, not a soul bothered her for the rest of the day, not a one came in to check on her. She doubted that was an accident. Her options were dwindling. And with it, her hope that she could escape whatever Trevor had in store. She fought the shiver of fear that threatened to run up her spine. She would be brave. No matter what happened, she did not survive this long without her courage.

Time was running out. And a decision would need to be made. Would she risk her life, her friend's life, her family's life? Could she in good conscience thwart Klaus' plans for her friend to save herself? Did she even want to? She had grown to care for him and in doing so her strong morals had become skewed. She loved her friend but would she allow him to kill Kat to gain something she barely understood? For some time now she had found herself siding with Klaus. And how could she betray her friend in such a way? But there was truth in his words to her. She enjoyed the idea of being rid of her friend. Being able to be the center of attention for once in her life appealed to something dark inside her.

Caroline shouldn't even think of helping now. He had played her for a fool. He pretended to care, but she knew better now. So why would she risk herself for him, now?

"You know they'll just send for you," her friend pouted. At the statement or what it implied, Caroline could not tell.

"Mary can bring me something, go ahead without me." Caroline smiled, an attempt to reassure.

Katerina let out a long sigh as she left their room.

Alone now, Caroline resolved herself to her decision. There was no way out that she could see. And if it meant that he would be free from a centuries-old curse…God, give her strength for what she was about to do.

Three loud knocks frightened her from her grim thoughts. Before the person could say anything Caroline spoke up, "Go away, Elijah, I do not feel well. You can tell your brother I will skip the meal for tonight."

"And I told you that you will join us for meals, did I not?" Klaus' voice startled her further. She had been sure it was Elijah, how could she face him? With a steadied and pained breath, she went to the door.

"Am I not allowed to feel unwell, sir?" Caroline called through the wooden door.

"Not when I've come all this way to fetch you for dinner, love." He sounded frustrated and annoyed.

She could slap him for his arrogance. Reaching the doorknob with her right hand, she winced and corrected her action with her left. She flung the door open, their stubborn eyes locked on to the others. Caroline pursed her lips as he frowned at her. She took a shaky breath to control her anger. "As my lord commands." Without looking at him, she brushed past him and made her way to the great hall.

Upon descending the stairs, Caroline paused. Trevor sat in his usual seat, right next to hers. The smile he gave her made her skin crawl. Klaus looked at her curiously as he made his way to his seat at the head of the table. Recovering quickly, lest someone comment on her sudden desire for standing as far away from the rest of the group as she could, Caroline made her way to her seat. She sat down slowly and gingerly, hoping no one would make a comment. Her chest still hurt, her breath short and labored. Her complexion had grown quite pale, drawing attention to the dark circles under her eyes. Her hand throbbed as the meal was served. She went to use her right hand but stopped herself. Instead, she picked at the fruit on her plate with her left hand. Her appetite was long gone.

"Are you well, Caroline?" Elijah asked from across the table. No, I am far from well, thank you, she wanted to say. Before she could comment, a hand clamped down on her thigh below the table, making her grow paler. She didn't know what Trevor could do to her here. She could come out and say it now. What could he do? He could kill her faster than she could blink. And she didn't matter to anyone at that table, she had to remember that. They wouldn't care about her life, but she could save others' if she went along with Trevor's demand. She was the only thing keeping her family alive.

"I do not feel well, as I had stated earlier." She stole a glance at the head of the table. Klaus' gaze bore into hers, assessing her appearance and determining if she were telling the truth. Caroline quickly averted her eyes, she couldn't look at him and pull this off. It would break her heart into even smaller pieces.

"Yes, doesn't she look terrible! You should really rest, Caroline." Katerina said, sounding very convincing even to Caroline, though she could read between the lines.

"You must keep your health, Caroline." Trevor chimed in, his hand on her thigh tightened in a bruising grip.

Wincing and casting her eyes down, she attempted to eat something, ignoring the way her right hand trembled in her lap.

"And how did you get sick, love?" Klaus' tone was flat, though it sounded almost threatening to her.

"Lack of sleep?" Caroline replied quietly. She should spit back some insult, spar with him like she usually does. Her fire, though, seemed to be dying down. Maybe it would be a convincing performance. Caroline too sick to put up her usual fighting spirit. She avoided looking at him for the rest of the meal, unable to bear his piercing gaze set in that handsome face.

No one asked her to join them in the library, for which she was grateful. Now she was left with only her thoughts and turbulent emotions. And the dread of night.

And where are you running off to, sweetheart?

From the shadows, he watched her exit her rooms quietly. Her heart beating so fast and loud, like a hummingbird's. It was elevated during their meal, too. And if he hadn't seen through her facade, he would have thought she truly was ill. As it was, he knew something was off with her. And now he finds her sneaking off in the middle of the night.

Her steps were slow as she held on to the wall for support, her arm wrapped around her middle in a protective manner, her breath came in labored little huffs. She was dressed in her chemise and housecoat. Feet bare against the stone floor. Something was very off.

Ignoring the tightening in his chest, he let her get to the end of the hall, a good distance away from her room before he flashed to her side, startling her in the process. She looked as white as a ghost. "And where are you running off to?"

"You-you're not supposed to be here." Her voice shook, fear across her face.

That didn't sit well with him. He grimaced, "Am I not? I was not aware I should be elsewhere. And why is that? Meeting someone in the dead of night, are we?" His anger threatened to boil over. She was running off to meet a lover, was she? Her betrayal sat like acid on his tongue. In anger, he grabbed her hand to prevent her from running away. He dropped it just as fast when she cried out in pain, latching on to his shoulder for support. Shocked at her reaction, he had barely used any strength to grab her hand, he quickly reassessed the situation. Bringing his hands around her waist to steady her instead. He noted the tears streaming down her face. "Caroline, are you hurt? What has happened? You must tell me."

Her forehead rested on his chest. She fought to control her breathing. He could just make out a mumbled sentence, "Why…does it…matter?"

"It matters, love. Now tell me what happened." He implored her.

With barely any strength she pushed away from him, her shoulder collided with the wall. She winced and leveled him with a serious look, "Go away."

"Are you telling me what to do, again?" He seethed at her arrogance. At how she was suddenly pushing him away. At the thought that she was hurt and by someone's hand no less.

"Yes…go away…" She stubbornly walked on, only getting a few steps ahead of him.

The impertinent, stubborn, bewitching girl. He gritted his teeth and easily caught up to her. "Caroline, why are you venturing out, alone, in the middle of the night, and injured?" He placed a hand next to her head, effectively stopping her from going further. Her lip trembled, tears slipped silently down her pale cheeks. She would not look at him, she hadn't looked directly at him since the previous day. He moved his hand to cup her cheek. Forcing her to look him in the eyes. "Caroline…"

"What do you want me to say? You do not truly care. So let me pass." She whispered loudly, trying to keep her own anger down.

She surprised him. She thought he did not care? "Why do you think me uncaring?"

"You said as much."

"When?" The sinking feeling in his chest told him he knew exactly when, though how she knew was a mystery.

She bit her lip and cast her gaze down, "I heard you in the library. So again, I ask you if I may pass." More tears escaped her eyes. He gently brushed them away with his other hand.

"You were never meant to hear that, love."

"And yet I did. You do not care for me so I wonder at your actions, sir." The stubborn fire returned to her eyes and features. She fought to school her face into a mask of strength.

"Would you believe me if I told you I don't altogether believe my own words?"

Her blue eyes rounded as she looked at him in surprise. He was honest though, he wasn't sure he really believed in what he told his brother. Not when it came to Caroline. There was some truth in what he said, though. "It is true that love is a weakness, something my enemies would exploit if they knew what you were to me, Caroline. Do you have any idea what they would do to a human?" He cupped her other cheek, tenderly caressing them with his thumbs. "You are so much weaker than me. Too easy to break. My brother's love for your friend could prevent me from breaking this curse. It was cruel of me to say what I did, but I am a cruel man, sweetheart."

"Why do you push people away? Do you think yourself incapable of being loved? That everyone will turn their backs on you? Love is not a weakness."

Klaus let go of her, jaw ticking in a sign of his annoyance. Choosing to ignore her, he reiterated, "I asked you a question."

Caroline swallowed, eyes wary. She looked down the hall in both directions. Her eyes avoided him once more. And with what appeared to be great trouble, she finally answered him, "I was ordered to meet Trevor in the gardens or else."

Klaus took a breath to calm the sudden wave of wraith that built up inside him. He clenched his jaw and clasped his hands behind his back. "Ordered?"

"Yes, he told me if I did not meet him there by midnight that he would take Katerina away. And your brother and yourself would be told that it was my fault. And as you do not care for humans, I believed him. I could not see a way out. And if you could not break your curse then what of my family. I couldn't be the reason you couldn't break your curse-"

"Caroline," he interrupted her rambling. Did she mean what she said?

"Yes?"

"You would put yourself in harm's way for me?"

She paused at the question, thinking on it for a second, "I suppose I have." Confusion crossed her face as they stared at each other.

This little confession of hers had him elated despite the circumstances they were currently in. He was still seething at what she told him moments before and her current state. Setting that aside, he marveled at the woman before him. Somehow, despite everything, he had obtained her loyalty. A tightly wound string in his chest seemed to have snapped, he didn't know how desperately he wanted-needed her loyalty. This creature before him with her stubborn ways, golden locks, sunshine smile, and fire in her eyes had torn him open and made a place for herself before he knew what was even happening. He cupped her face again, pulling her towards him. "I am going to kiss you now, Caroline."

"If you must…" she breathed. Breath ghosting over his face, eyes clouded in a dreamy sort of way. Her remark pulled a soft chuckle from him. Always pushing him.

Without much warning, he captured her soft lips with his. Klaus greedily kissed her, drunk on her affections, the little sighs, and moans that escaped her mouth. If he could cage her, bottle her up somehow, he could find a small sort of happiness for the rest of his very long life.

He stopped, much to his regret. Getting lost in her lips was better saved for another time. Releasing her face, suddenly growing serious again, he asked, "Was Trevor the one who hurt you?" At her small nod, a growl escaped his throat. He would take great pleasure in torturing the vampire. He dared to touch what was his? Klaus held on to his rage as best he could, better to save it for its intended mark. And there was so much eviscerating he needed to do tonight.

Without waiting a moment longer, he ripped opened the sleeve of his shirt, exposing his forearm. Biting into it, he held it up to her, "Drink."

Caroline's face scrunched in disgust, "Must I?"

Giving her a pointed look, she sighed and held his wrist in her delicate hand. He watched in rapt fascination as her lips pressed into his skin, his monster practically purring under the surface, pleased at what it considered his taking his blood. Stopping almost as soon as she had started, she pulled away making a face.

Schooling his features into his usual mask of aloofness, he spoke, "Go back to your room, love." Klaus allowed himself to caress her cheek, satisfied that she had ceased her crying, that she was safe and healing before he left her in search of a vampire in his garden.