"Where is Jonas?" asked Stefan, frowning at Luka.

"I don't know," said Luka, looking at his cell phone. "He's not answering his phone." Luka looked at Damon. "I thought you two were going to go to the hospital together to get some blood?"

Damon shrugged. "We got separated."

Stefan narrowed his eyes. "What happened, Damon?"

Damon looked at Elena who was sitting on the couch, looking at the Salvatore brothers with a worried glance.

Damon didn't want to tell everyone the truth- that he had tempted Jonas into feeding from a live human and that Jonas had lost control and killed her. Elena hated it when Damon did stuff like that.

"Nothing," Damon lied. "We went to the hospital and he said he wanted to drop the blood off at home."

"It's fine," said Luka. "I should be able to do the spell without Dad."

"Oh no," said Damon. "I'm not trusting Elena's life to an amateur. If Papa Witch can't be here, we'll just go back to Alaric's and get Thea to do it."

"We can't blow her cover, Damon," said Elena. "Klaus has to believe those anti-magic cuffs are still in effect. I have faith in Luka. He can do the spell."

Luka smiled at Elena.

"Have you ever done this spell before?" asked Stefan.

"Not this exact one," Luka admitted. "But I've done similar ones."

"How will we know it worked?" asked Damon.

Luka looked uncomfortable.

"We'll know when I wake up tomorrow after the sacrifice," said Elena. She stood up. "I trust you, Luka. What do you need from me?"

Damon looked unhappy, but Elena just glared at him.

"We're doing this my way, remember Damon?" she pressed.

"What if it doesn't work, Elena?" asked Damon.

"Then I guess I'll just be dead," she responded. "We don't have a choice."

Damon looked furious and turned to Luka. "If she doesn't wake up than neither do you."

o – o – o

The smell of fresh coffee and donuts roused Thea from sleep. She sat up on the couch she'd slept on and rubbed her eyes, annoyed at the feeling of the chains still encircling her wrists.

"Did you know you drool when you sleep?" drawled Katherine. "It's gross."

Thea narrowed her eyes. "Fuck you, Katherine."

"I thought I told you to keep your opinions to yourself, Katerina," said Klaus, sipping on a cup of coffee.

Katherine rolled her eyes, but didn't say anything.

Thea eyed the coffee and donuts sitting on the kitchen island.

"Help yourself, Thea," said Klaus, smiling.

"You're in a good mood," said Thea, getting up and walking over to the island.

"Tonight is the sacrifice," smirked Klaus. "Tonight I unbind my werewolf side and become whole again."

His wistful tone brought Thea back to times spent in his house in Austin. Back when she believed his sole reason for wanting the curse broken was to get in touch with his werewolf side, not build some master hybrid race. Before she knew what he'd done to his family.

"Congratulations," she said sarcastically. "Are you going to strip me of my power before or after that?"

Klaus frowned. "What?"

Thea had thought a lot about it the night before. The coldness in Greta's eyes told her that Klaus hadn't spared Thea on Greta's behalf. The only reason he must be keeping her alive was to take the power she was channeling.

The chance to wield the power of a hundred dead witches wasn't something that came along every day. Thea wondered if Klaus planned to give it to Greta or Maddox.

"You heard me," said Thea. "I know the only reason you're keeping me alive is to get it. What's the hold-up? Does Greta not know how to take it? Those type of spells generally aren't her strong suit."

Klaus growled. "You really do think the worst of me, don't you?"

Thea shrugged. "You're killing three innocent people in order to sire some werewolf-vampire army, who in turn will kill more people. Not to mention the fact that you've effectively killed your entire family. What exactly am I supposed to think?"

Thea must have imagine the look of hurt that crossed Klaus' features, before his face turned into a snarl.

"I'm not interested in your power," he growled. "Stop making your demise so appealing. No one here cares if you live. Greta certainly isn't interested in your well-being, so don't expect her to come to your aid."

Thea tried to school her features, but what Klaus said hurt, as he'd intended. Her own sister didn't give a shit about her or her family.

"Fuck you, Klaus," said Thea. "At least I didn't turn my back on my own family. If you kill me, I'll know I did everything I could to protect them."

The doorbell interrupted whatever he was going to say next.

"What?" he snarled.

Maddox stepped into the apartment, albeit rather cautiously.

"It's done," was all he said.

"Good," nodded Klaus. "Fetch Greta. Secure Tyler and Caroline at the tomb. Guard them well. You know when to bring them for the ritual."

Thea's jaw dropped. "You son of a bitch. Those are kids!"

Klaus looked at her boredly. "Quiet or I'll be forced to gag you."

"Come on, Klaus," said Thea, looking at him. "They're just kids. Don't do this."

Klaus looked angry. "Your opinion ceased to matter when you left me." He turned to Katherine. "Get her out of my sight."

Katherine didn't hesitate to grab Thea and speed her into the bedroom. Thea sat on the bed miserably, thinking of Elijah. She didn't dare talk about him to Katherine with Klaus in the next room, but she missed him, his comforting presence. They had to get him back. And soon.

She was more tempted than ever to rip these cuffs off and take down Klaus now, but Jonas' words stopped her, knowing he'd be crushed if she died to kill Klaus. Knowing Greta would try to seek revenge and her whole family would tear themselves apart.

There had to be another way. There were hours until the sacrifice happened. She'd think of something.

o – o – o

"Hello?" called Alaric. "Anyone home?"

Damon appeared in the doorway of the Boarding House.

"What's up, Ric?"

"The sacrifice happens tonight," said Alaric, eyes going blank, almost as if he was in a trance.

Damon narrowed his eyes. "Okay."

Alaric shook his head, looking confused. "Damon? What's going on? What am I doing here?"

Damon tilted his head, wondering if this was a trick or if Klaus had really released his hold on Alaric's body.

"What do you remember?" asked Damon.

Alaric frowned. "I was at my apartment and then I was here."

Damon realized Klaus must have compelled Alaric to not remember the gaps in his memory. It made sense. Klaus didn't want anyone to know he'd been at the driver's seat in Alaric's body for the past few days. Still, it could be a trick.

"Maybe you should lay off the bourbon," said Damon. "Remember how we met? You got trashed at the bar and I had to drive you home."

Alaric frowned. "We met at the Decade Dance, Damon. Or have you forgotten that?"

Damon smiled widely. "Welcome back, Ric."

Alaric was confused. "Back? Did I go somewhere?"

Damon sighed. "Come in. I can explain."

o – o – o

"So my body's been a Klaus puppet for the past three days?" asked Alaric, after Stefan had explained everything.

"That's right," said Stefan. "Thea is at your apartment, which I'm assuming you've been compelled to avoid. She's technically free, but isn't going to go after Klaus until after the sacrifice."

"Katherine's there too," added Elena. "She's been compelled to make sure she and Thea don't leave. Luka did a protection spell, so I'm ready for tonight."

"And Elijah?" asked Alaric.

"Daggered by Klaus," said Stefan.

"Where is Damon?" asked Alaric, looking around.

"I think he went upstairs," answered Stefan.

Elena rose from her seat. "I'm going to go check on him."

She left the room.

"What's going on?" asked Alaric after a minute. "There's something you're not telling me."

Stefan sighed. "It's this protection spell. Damon doesn't think it'll work."

"Do you?"

Stefan ran his hand through his hair. "Doesn't matter what I think."

"Couldn't Thea do the spell?" asked Alaric. "Would Damon trust her?"

"I'm not sure he trusts anyone right now," answered Stefan. "I..." He paused, listening to something. "Damnit."

He disappeared.

Alaric blinked. "What the hell?"

He heard a crash from above and ran up the stairs. He grimaced when he saw Damon stab Stefan in the stomach.

"What did you do, Damon?" asked Alaric.

Damon just growled at him and sped away.

"Alaric," gasped Elena. "Can you get him a blood bag?"

Alaric looked down and saw that Elena had pulled the wooden stake out of Stefan's stomach, but the wound was still bleeding.

He nodded numbly. "Of course."

"Thank you," said Elena.

Alaric looked into her face and gasped. "What happened to you?"

"Damon," answered Elena sadly. "He force fed me his blood."

Alaric looked shocked. "Will that matter with the protection spell?"

"I don't know," said Elena, crying softly. "Please, the blood bag."

Alaric nodded and left the room, heading to the basement to get Stefan some blood.

o – o – o

Katherine's head tilted back. "I'm bored."

"Join the club," sighed Thea, flopping back on the bed. "Is the asshole gone?"

Katherine paused, listening. "Yeah. Just you and me."

"Tell me how to find Elijah."

Katherine shook her head. "Remove my compulsion first. I need to be able to leave this apartment."

Thea looked critically at her. "You know this is going to hurt, right? Like a lot."

Katherine narrowed her eyes. "You think I haven't been through worse?"

"I don't know, Katherine, have you?"

"Just do it," said Katherine, sitting down on the bed.

"Fine," said Thea. "But if you try to run, I'll kill you."

Katherine rolled her eyes. "We have a deal."

"Please," said Thea. "You think I trust you for a second to honor it?"

"Don't think you're the only one that cares about Elijah," growled Katherine.

Thea frowned. "How do you know Elijah?"

"It doesn't matter," said Katherine dismissively.

Thea tried to suppress the green-eyed-monster that threatened to spring forth, thinking about exactly how Katherine could know Elijah.

"Fine," said Thea, reaching up her hand to rest on Katherine's forehead. "Brace yourself."

o – o – o

"I screwed up," said Damon, as Alaric joined him at the bar.

"Yeah," said Alaric. "Yeah you did."

"Gentlemen?" came a lightly accented voice. "Why so glum?"

Damon turned his head to see a man standing there.

"Ugh," said Damon, realizing who the stranger must be. "Klaus, I presume?"

"In the flesh," he replied, grinning.

"Any reason you stopped by to say hi?" asked Damon. "We got your message. Sacrifice is tonight."

"Good," said Klaus, looking darkly at Alaric. "I'm told you and your brother fancy my doppelganger. Just thought I'd remind you not to do anything you'll regret."

Damon laughed bitterly. "Thanks for your advice." Then he had an idea. "I don't suppose I could talk you into a postponement by any chance, huh?"

Klaus frowned. "You are kidding?" He looked at Alaric. "He is kidding, right?"

"No, not really," answered Alaric.

"I mean, come on," pushed Damon. "What's one month in the whole grand scheme of things?"

"Let me be clear," said Klaus. "I have my vampire. I have my werewolf. I have everything I need. The ritual will happen tonight. So if you want to live to see tomorrow, don't screw it up."

Then he left.

Damon exhaled heavily. It was worth a shot.

"That was fun," said Damon sarcastically.

"You're gonna screw it up, aren't you?" asked Alaric.

Damon sighed. "If Klaus is here, then he's not at your place."

Alaric frowned. "What are you thinking? Thea?"

Damon just pushed away from the bar. "Well, are you going to help me or not?"

Alaric sighed. "What do you want me to do?"

o – o – o

"What are you doing here, Damon?" asked Thea.

Damon smiled and strode into the apartment. "Thanks for the invite, Alaric." He looked at Katherine. "What'd you do to her?"

Katherine was on the floor, sweaty and panting.

"None of your business," said Thea. "Answer the question. What are you doing here? Klaus could be back at any time."

"I need your help," said Damon. "I need you to do a protection spell on Elena."

Thea frowned. "Didn't Luka already do that?"

"I refuse to leave Elena's life in the hands of an amateur," said Damon.

Thea rolled her eyes. "My dad knows what he's doing, Damon. Elena's going to be fine."

"Yeah, except your dad is MIA, so Luka did the spell without his help."

Thea frowned. It wasn't ideal, but it was probably fine. Luka was a good witch. He didn't have a ton of experience with protection spells, but they weren't difficult. Of course, the sacrifice ritual was no ordinary way to die.

"Where is my dad?"

"I don't know," said Damon in an exasperated tone. "That's not the point. I need you to do one."

Thea frowned. "I can't just do another one, Damon. You can't stack spells on top of each other. They're not Kevlar vests. They could counteract one another if I'm not careful."

"Then we have to stop the ritual," said Damon.

"No," said Katherine, getting up. "You can't interfere. Klaus will kill you and everyone you've ever met."

"I just need to delay this thing," said Damon. "Make sure the protection spell works." He looked at Thea. "I need to know where Klaus is keeping his werewolf."

Thea's eyes lit up. Maybe this was a good thing. A way to keep Caroline and Tyler from being sacrificed. She could reason with Klaus. With another month, they could find some lowlife vampire and werewolf.

"I'll tell you where they are, if you promise to help them escape," said Thea. "Not kill them."

Damon rolled his eyes. "Fine."

"Caroline Forbes and Tyler Lockwood are in the tomb," said Thea.

Katherine shot her a nasty look.

Damon smiled. "Thanks."

He nodded at Alaric who was still in the doorway and they disappeared.

"You know he probably has back-ups," said Katherine.

Thea sighed. "Probably. But maybe they're not a couple of teenagers."

"Whatever," said Katherine, rolling her eyes. "Let's finish this."

Thea cocked her head. "In a minute."

"What?" snarled Katherine.

"We're almost done," said Thea. "But I'm not letting you go until I know Klaus isn't coming back here. He can't know I'm free until he goes to the ritual site."

Katherine growled and tried to pounce on her, but Klaus' compulsion kept her from completing the act.

"I don't like you," spat Katherine.

"Feeling's mutual."

o – o – o

Thea watched with mixed feelings as Klaus compelled Katherine to stand in the sunlight without her bracelet. Thea obviously didn't want Katherine to die before she could tell Thea where Elijah was, but she wasn't sure what to do if Klaus took it too far.

Thea winced when Katherine outright screamed as her skin burned, but didn't say anything. She didn't want Klaus to get suspicious.

Klaus casually sipped some coffee before he tilted his head. "That's enough."

Katherine immediately sped to the corner of the room, crouching to catch her breath.

"Guess I was wrong," he said, stalking towards Katherine. "Alright then. I need you to do something for me."

"What?" asked Katherine, looking up at him.

"Had a slight run-in with the elder Salvatore," said Klaus. "I don't trust him to refrain from doing something stupid. I'm going to need you to do your Elena impersonation."

"Why?" frowned Thea.

Klaus spun around. "I have a back-up werewolf. I'd like a back-up vampire." He tossed Katherine a phone. "Call the Gilbert House and lure whoever answers out of the house."

Thea gasped. "No! What is wrong with you? Those people are innocent. There are thousands of vampires crawling around the planet. People who've had their chance to live a bunch of lifetimes."

"I need someone for tonight, love."

"Don't do this, Klaus," said Thea. "You're better than this. I know it."

Klaus' gaze softened for a second and she moved forward, taking advantage of his momentary silence.

"Where's the guy I looked at the stars with? The one who could have had me killed, but didn't? Don't destroy innocence just to make yourself whole again."

Klaus tilted his head. "Suppose I gave in to your pleas... I have a rather nasty werewolf in my possession. I believe he tried to kill you once- Brady? If I were to find an equally ruthless vampire, would you agree to serve in my inner circle once again?"

Thea's gaze hardened. "Greta will never go for that."

"Greta's feelings are not relevant here," answered Klaus. "I have a large task ahead of me and I could use someone with your skills. Not to mention the power you're channeling."

Thea clenched her teeth, figuring it didn't really matter anyway. He would be dead soon. There was no downside to agreeing.

"Fine," said Thea.

Klaus smiled widely. "Excellent." He turned to Katherine. "I do apologize, Katerina."

Then he sped forward and snapped her neck.

Thea could barely breathe. "You're not... you..."

"I had hoped to keep her alive for longer," said Klaus with a regretful tone. "But it's quite poetic that she die in the sacrifice she tried to escape all those years ago."

Klaus reached over and grabbed Thea's chains.

"What are you doing?" asked Thea.

"You need to stay put until after the ritual is complete," said Klaus.

He took the chain attached to her wrists and used another set of handcuffs to tie her to an exposed pipe in the corner.

"I won't be gone long," he said. "I need to fetch Elena."

Thea looked at him coldly, but didn't reply, knowing she would be escaping as soon as he left for the ritual site later tonight.

She tried to control her pounding heart, looking down at Katherine's lifeless body. If Katherine died, how would she ever find Elijah?

o – o – o

After Klaus left with Katherine, Thea sat on the floor, not daring to remove the cuffs for fear of when he or one of his minions would return.

Klaus came back first. He stormed in and headed straight for the table.

"Where's Maddox?" he asked. "He should be back by now."

Thea shrugged. "No one's been here since you took Katherine. Where is she? Where's Elena?"

"They're both with Greta," he replied, looking at the computer screen.

Thea craned her head to look at the computer, curious what he was looking at. She watched as Brady writhed on the ground, chained up. She didn't feel bad about that. Brady and his pack had tried to kill her, Alaric, Elena and Stefan.

"It's almost time," said Klaus, looking over at her.

Thea looked out the window. "The moon is rising."

Thea sighed, remembering how she'd helped him once upon a time. How they'd brainstormed and planned for this moment together. Before she found out his true intentions and he'd stolen her sister to buy her silence.

"I thought he'd be by my side this night," said Klaus, softly.

Thea frowned. "Who? Elijah?"

He didn't respond.

"Where is he, Klaus? Are you going to dump him in the ocean too?"

Thea thought her heart might break if he said yes.

"How long did you know him?" asked Klaus. "A few weeks? What is it about my brother that inspires such instant admiration?"

"He's honest and loyal and he cares about others."

Klaus growled. "He came here to kill me."

"Because you left him no choice," said Thea. "You killed your own family. His family. Maybe you don't understand what it means to love someone that much, but..."

Klaus snarled and leapt up, speeding over to her and grabbing her roughly by the shoulders.

"Don't you dare speak of love and loyalty!" he shouted angrily. "I trusted you. Favored you above all others. And you plotted with my brother to try and kill me!"

"You lied to me!" said Thea, trying to shake off Klaus' grip. "I bought your woe-is-me lonely suppressed werewolf bullshit. If I had known you were a megalomaniac intent on global domination who'd slaughtered his own family, I never would have stepped foot in your house!"

"I didn't kill them!" he growled, his vampire facing showing.

"Yes, you did!" she shouted back. "Dumping them in the ocean..."

"I didn't!" he repeated, looking more furious than she'd ever seen him. "Their bodies are safe!"

Thea gasped. "What?"

Klaus blinked, clearly trying to control his rage. "They are daggered, but not on the bottom of the ocean."

"Where are they?" asked Thea. "Where is Elijah?"

Klaus didn't respond, but released his hold on her.

"Why would you lie about that?" asked Thea, confused. "Are you lying now?"

"It was years go," he said quietly. "I needed to be parted from Elijah. I needed... I knew it was the only way he would distance himself."

"Why?"

Klaus opened his mouth, looking sad, but as if he wanted to answer before he abruptly shut his mouth.

"Enough," he said, his features in a neutral expression. "Twenty questions is over."

Thea rolled her eyes. It's not like he'd really answered anything.

Klaus looked out the window. "The moon is nearly at its apex. I do apologize, but I'll need you to stay put for now. No doubt Maddox is at the ritual site."

He left her chained in the corner, closing the door softly behind him.

Thea just stood there, shocked, not sure what to think. Elijah's family was alive. Klaus hadn't destroyed them and he would keep Elijah safe, too.

She looked down and called forth her magic, smiling as she felt it fill her being once again. The cuffs flew off her wrists.

She'd just made it to the apartment door when it flew open, with Damon on the other side.

"Where is he?" asked Damon. "I rescued Tyler and Caroline. I killed the witch guarding them."

"Maddox is dead?" asked Thea.

Damon shrugged. "Wouldn't let them go without a fight."

Thea pushed that unhappy thought away for now.

"Where is Klaus?" he asked.

"He left, Damon," said Thea. "He went to the ritual site. He has back-ups for everyone in the ritual except Elena."

"What?" exclaimed Damon. "No, we have to stop him."

"We have to wait, Damon," said Thea. "That was the deal."

"The deal's off," snarled Damon. "Your father guaranteed the protection spell would work, but when it came time to deliver he was nowhere to be found. No one's heard from him all day."

Thea frowned. "I don't understand. Nothing was more important to him than being here. Killing Klaus for what he did. I wonder..." She had a chilling thought. "Maybe he's dead."

"It doesn't matter," said Damon. "He's gone and we need to stop Klaus before the ritual, in case the spell doesn't work."

Thea frowned. "It'll work. I'm not sacrificing myself on a maybe. If Dad's gone, then Luka has no one."

Damon grabbed her arm angrily. "I'm sure he'll be fine."

Thea threw him back and pinned him to the opposite wall. He struggled, but was no match for her enhanced power.

"Your concern for my well-being is touching," she said, sarcastically. "Now you either get on board with the original plan or I throw up a boundary and you can cool your heels in this apartment."

Damon looked angry, but didn't argue. "Fine."

Thea released him.

"Where is this ritual site?" he asked.

"Near the quarry," answered Thea as they walked out the door.

"Who are the back-ups?" asked Damon. He looked around. "I'm guessing Katherine will no longer be with us?"

Thea sighed and nodded.

"At least one good thing will come out of this nightmare," said Damon, shaking his head. He looked at Thea. "You ready to do this?"

Thea hesitated. "Yes."

She followed Damon down the hallway, hating the mixed feelings churning through her. Klaus had told her the truth about his family. Had opened up to her, once again.

Sometimes when she looked in his eyes, he was like a lost, little puppy. What was it about him that made her feel so damn sorry for him? The tortured past Elijah had hinted at? The vulnerability he displayed when spoke of his lost werewolf side.

She mentally shook her head. She could do this. Remember the balance of nature. Remember Elijah, who Klaus would no doubt keep hidden somewhere for a long time.

Klaus would be dead by the end of the night. And he would fall by her hand.

A/N: Almost there... Let me know what you thought!