Hi guys this is a little bit of a filler chapter but there is method to my madness I swear! And two posts in one week, you guys are lucky ;) please please review and let me know what you think! I read all reviews and the more I get knowing people are enjoying the story the more I want to keep writing!
After getting us all back to the Forbes house in mostly one piece it was time to come clean to Caroline that I knew all about the Supernatural; about her being a Vampire and how she became one, about Elena being the Doppelgänger and then of course about how I was trained by her very own father to become a 'hunter'. This sure was going to be a great conversation.
Sitting down on the sofa I rub my face tiredly, jeez not even back a week and already the cats out the bag. So much for going incognito. Hearing Care sit opposite me in the armchair I drop my hands from my face and sit back. Her blue eyes were glaring into my own. We had dropped Tyler off on the way back home. He didn't seem to have any bad effects from transforming into a 'hybrid', which I will have to update my journal now with that inclusion – every single Supernatural being I have met or learnt about I update the old journal that Uncle Bill gave me. Every old family in Mystic Falls have these journals, the Gilberts ones were the most interesting to read about the vampires back when the Salvatore's first came to town.
"So … I'm guessing you have some questions?" I ask Care while accepting a cup of coffee off Liz, who I had text when we left the school letting her know what was coming her way. Partly surprised she hadn't made herself scarce. I would have.
"Uh obviously! You know about vampires?" Flinching slightly at the accusing tone, I sipped my coffee for a second before clasping the mug in both hands.
"Yes. Vampires, Werewolves, Sirens, you name it I know about it. Part from Hybrids, that's a new one," I give her a half-smirk in humour. The deadpan look I received back soon wiped the smile off my face. Oh dear.
"How?" I share a look with Liz who went to sit beside Caroline. This is going to be the part she won't like.
"How do I know about the Supernatural? Your father and Elena's father taught me" I reply, sipping again at the coffee while she digests that information.
"WHAT?!" Ahhh there's the outburst I have been waiting for.
Placing the mug on the side table I push forwards, so I was leaning towards my cousin, her blue eyes were widened in anger and confusion not just at me but at her mother as well.
"I was given a choice when I was younger Care, when Uncle Bill and Auntie Liz took me in. It was either I learn about the Supernatural and become a hunter, or you do. It had to be one or the other to carry on the information and protection of our family. You all had done so much for me; I wanted you to have a normal childhood, my chance at that was destroyed and I wanted to be able to protect you and me if I needed too." I look again at Liz to see her gazing worriedly at Caroline. "Auntie Liz was against it from the start Care, she wanted me to have a normal childhood but Uncle Bill insisted I had to be taught from a young age to resist compulsion and learn everything I needed to". I twist the vervain bracelet nervously. I push back the memories that threaten to overtake my mind. Over coming compulsion wasn't an easy feat.
"So what, this was all going on and you didn't tell me? We told each other everything! And why didn't Dad tell me?" Caroline glared at me with her arms crossed, at least she wasn't taking this out on Liz that was the last thing I wanted to happen.
"He wanted to protect you Care, you were his little girl. When I was going to leave after I graduated I begged Uncle Bill to tell you the truth. To tell you what was out there as I wasn't around to protect you and the others any more, so you could protect yourselves. He refused and wanted you to have a normal experience at school. So I did the best that I could, the necklaces, broaches, bracelets and rings that I left you were all infused with vervain. I tried to protect you even while I wasn't here, obviously I failed." I hung my head, finally admitting to them and myself that it was partially my fault for Caroline being a vampire now. If I had been here when the Salvatore's and Katherine arrived I wouldn't have allowed Care to have been turned. The phone call off Uncle Bill was enough to give me nightmares for weeks, being told that the things you were taught to hunt was now your baby cousin who you had sworn to protect.
Running a hand over my face I looked back at her, the naturally bubbly blonde's face was creased in worry lines, as was Liz's. Licking my lips I let a small sigh escape: "Care if I could go back and change things I'd change me leaving, I would have stayed to protect you and the others. I trusted the council and others with your protection. I shan't be doing that again".
"Is that why you came back?" Care asks, Liz turned to look at me as well. The reason why I came back was always the excuse that my contract had finished and the business had gone under. That was partially true.
"Yes and no. I knew it was time for me to come back, I had been putting it off for years. Not to be your protector – as you no longer need one. But to be part of both your lives again". Smiling at them, I stop twisting the vervain bracelet. Time to come clean: "I am going to be honest with you both and say I was angry when I left. I felt my childhood and teenage years had been taken from me. First with Mom and Dad and then with all the training and fighting. I wanted to just live my life, do what I wanted to do. To only look after myself. It was selfish and childish, and I am so sorry I left you both for so long with no real explanation. But after a few years that anger and upset just left me. I grew and learned new things in new places. I had to use my training many times and I ended up quite grateful for it, without it I'd have been dead after the first few months" seeing Liz open her mouth in worry I hold a finger up – "that is a story for another time. Just know, I do not resent or feel any anger anymore. I am here for you both to be the cousin and niece that you both deserve. If you'll allow me?" I finish my speech by clasping my fingers together in worry.
We were always an open family or tried to be. I now refuse to have any secrets from these two. They were my last pieces of family. And I'd protect that to the ends of the earth.
Both the blondes shared a look before leaving their seats and yanking me into a group hug. Chuckling into Care's shoulder I wrap my arms around them both.
"You will always be welcome here, no matter what!" Liz mumbled into my hair, kissing my forehead like she used to when I was younger. Allowing the hug to go on for a few minutes before pulling away I smile at them both.
"Thank you!" I squeeze their hands and wipe away a small tear that had escaped my eye. "Now can we end this chick-flick moment so you can explain to me what the bloody hell has been going on and who this Klaus person is and who that blonde chick was?" Caroline laughed nodding, pulling me down onto the sofa again while Liz wanders off into the kitchen.
After about an hour I was all caught up on the drama's of Mystic Falls. How Caroline came to be bitten, Elena's family drama and how she adopted (which Caroline slapped my arm when I mentioned I already knew this information when I was younger due to Bill telling me), about the Salvatore brothers their involvement in the group and how they're protecting Elena. Then last but not least the Sun and Moon curse that wasn't actually a curse for Werewolves and Vampires but just this 'Klaus'. Turns out he was from the oldest Vampire family – all Vampires derived from him and his family – and his Mummy had done the naughty behind his Fathers back so he was part Vampire and Werewolf but a spell was made to push back his Werewolf side and he wanted to break that so that's when poor Elena and everyone else got dragged into the mess.
By the end I was grasping a glass of wine as a lifeline. You leave for a few years and the whole town gets into a right mess. What on earth was the council doing during all of this? Gulping down the last mouthful of wine I placed the glass next to the forgotten mug of coffee.
"Okay, I think that is perhaps enough for tonight Care, we better get to bed as you've got your first day of seniors tomorrow and me … my job." I point to the clock behind her. Wishing her goodnight and checking on a sleeping Liz I take a few moments to go outside the backdoor and sit on one of the wooden chairs. What a chaotic day.
Leaning back I look up at the night sky and start to count the stars to help calm my racing mind. So many things have happened and so many things are bound to come. Now that this Klaus can turn werewolves into hybrids, I can only assume he can do the same to vampires. And with Elena's blood being the key was she safe?
Reaching for my phone, I don't feel it on the table next to me, raising my head I am met with a certain curly haired Hybrid who was smirking down at me:
"Hello love".
Ah crap!