The doorbell rang and I ran downstairs. Alaric and Kyle were sitting in front of the tv, as they had been doing the last two days. A dozen of empty beer bottles lay on the table, three on their laps. All the blinds were closed and the lights off. It smelled like someone had died in here so I put open a window before letting Willow in.
''Gosh, talking about stereotype vampires. Death smell and dark space. Good job.'' Willow took of her summer jacket and hung it around a chair. I rolled my eyes and patted Kyle on his head, waking him up. They were both asleep as the tv was playing an old movie. Expecting Kyle to grunt, It was Damon who looked up at me. ''Damon?'' I asked confused. I must've seen it wrong, in the dark.
''Hello, littl'un. '' He gripped my arm and pulled me over the couch, holding me in a tight hug.
''Can't…breathe.'' I managed to get out as his arms closed around my chest. His breath stunk like beer. ''She's starting to look purple, Damon.'' Alaric acted concerned but he was laughing which made me realise he was still drunk. Couldn't believe Elijah ought it safe for me to stay with these two. Finally, after not breathing for at least twenty seconds, Damon let go of me and I quickly caught my breath. ''Can't say I don't like brotherly love.'' I gestured Willow to follow me upstairs. Before going into my room, I gave the boys one last glance and saw they had fallen asleep again. I smiled. That would come in handy. Inside, Willow had already turned the radio on so we wouldn't be overheard, not that there would be any danger for the moment. But still, it didn't hurt to be careful. ''What did you want to talk about?'' Willow asked, with the music playing. She was looking around on my desk, taking pictures and examining them. ''Is this you?'' She asked as she pointed to a picture of me in 1965. I nodded and quickly went to Klaus's room. I looked for the triangle with the eye on it. Once back, I closed the door and showed it to Willow. She raised an eyebrow before looking closer. ''Gosh.'' She said and turned it around and around in her hand. After a minute of silence, I asked. ''What?''
''This is one ugly charm. Who bought it for you?'' The girl threw it on the bed and started sniffing around again. Amazed, I took it back. ''You don't recognize it ? You don't know anything? '' I said, my last hope drifting away. Willow shook her head and gave it a last glance where after she threw her hands up. ''I don't know, you got it from Jake? Matt?'' she guessed.
''Willow! This is not a present! It's-'' I looked at the triangle again, ''-something. I don't know what but the leader of the wolves wore this as a necklace, only in a different colour. ''
I thought for a moment before adding ''Elijah was looking for it a while ago. ''
''Where did you get it from?'' Willow asked. Her head was tilted to the side, a sign she was thinking.
''I found it in Klaus's room. He must've been hiding it or he didn't know he had it, I'm not sure.''
It would tear Elijah's heart apart if he found out Klaus was a betrayer. I immediately felt guilty for thinking such a thing of Klaus. He probably didn't know what he had and kept it.
''Maybe mother knows. '' Willow offered. My gaze immediately went to the invisible hole in the window. I looked back at the door, which led to the room where Damon and Alaric were sleeping. They wouldn't notice me gone and Kyle had been right. The wolves gave us a week, no need to worry until then.
''Let's go.''
''Where did you get this from?'' Willow's mother asked. She was the total opposite of what I had thought she looked like. I had expected to see a tough woman, that didn't care how she looked, someone just like Willow. The kind of mom that rode a motor bicycle and had a tattoo. Instead, she wore the highest heels I had ever seen beneath one of the shortest and tightest dress I had ever seen. It wasn't that warm but apparently, she wasn't cold. Her blond hair was curled into perfect curls with no frizzle. Her make up only made her beauty come out even more, she was one of the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Never would I have guessed she was Willow's mother.
''I found it.'' I told her and looked at Willow. Willow nodded; she understood I didn't want to tell everything. ''Willow, dear, you didn't recognize it?'' Willow shrugged as her mother sighed and shook her head. ''Guess it's my fault then. '' The tall woman stood up and went into the kitchen. I couldn't see what she was doing, but after only a minute, she came back. In her hand lay a necklace, the same I and the wolves had. ''You've got one too! Only,'' I said looking closer, ''this one is purple.'' I frowned and looked at Willow's mom. ''What does it mean?''
She smiled. ''You're a clever girl. Every head of a community has this.'' The woman in front of me, held the necklace up in the air. ''The vampire's is red, the wolves brown and the witches purple. The one that has it, is sort of the leader but it's an old custom. Nobody really follows that person with the triangle because they are forgotten. '' She sighed and closed her hand around the necklace. ''Too bad nobody knows anymore who has it. '' I almost raised my hand, like we did in class because somehow, Willow's mother reminded me of a teacher.
''So there is only one for each species?'' I asked. The blond in front of me shook her head. ''No, there is more than one. Like I said, it's for every community of which there are a thousand. Every town, has a couple of communities from different species and the ones that don't belong, need to listen to the leaders. That's how it goes.'' She finished by rubbing her hands and said she'd make some more tea. I looked at Willow and realised something.
''If your mom has this, then every witch needs to listen to her. ''
Willow raised an eyebrow. ''Only the witches in her community, something I believe she doesn't have. What are you saying?''
''If we can find the witch that installed the shield around my house, your mother can make her undo it and I'll be no longer forced to live in solitude.'' Once I said the words, it didn't feel good or right. I overlooked something obvious and important.
Willow laughed which let me see the cookie in her mouth she was eating.
''Like anyone would listen to my mom. I mean, it's not because some old legend says you needed to listen to the one with the ugly eye, you do it. ''
Willow had a point. But still, there was something that didn't seem right, something…but what?
I told myself to forget it for now and looked at the black clock on the wall. I was gone for nearly an hour, I couldn't risk being away too long. So I waved Willow's mother goodbye and went back home. Once there, a figure blocked my way to the driveway. I parked the car in front and doubted for a moment what to do. I could be in danger or it could be someone who just wanted to ask something. I sighed and realised, I really didn't care right now. I was done with being careful so I got out and went to see whoever was standing there. As I came closer, his face became clearer.
''Conchobar?'' I said aloud. Maybe I should've been more careful, seeing the threats he had made the other day. A low grumble came out of the man, and I realised it was him laughing.
''You really didn't expect to see me one of these days?'' His arms were crossed over his stainless white shirt. The jeans he whore, were from the same brand Damon always wore.
I shrugged, he was right. I wasn't so surprised, I had expected one of the wolves, just not him.
''I came to talk to you.'' He spoke first and put a step forward. I stayed where I was.
''About?'' I mimicked his body and crossed my arms.
''The choice you'll need to make. ''
I rolled my eyes. ''You really think that's up to me? Don't you see my brothers control my life?''
Conchobar narrowed his eyes. ''So you're stupid. Doesn't surprise me. '' He turned around and walked on our land. In disbelief, I followed him. ''You think I have a choice?'' I asked him. His back was turned to me, but he was still an impressive figure.
''Yeah, I do. You are the only one who can save Stefan, and you are the only one who can make the choice to do it. Imagine you'd come to us, all by yourself, wouldn't that be your choice? Who would stop you if nobody knew what you did? '' The wolf kept on walking, between the trees, admiring how big our land was. At a certain moment, he stopped and I looked up at the tree where I had first met Jake. I didn't know whether it was a coincidence or he actually could still smell Jake on it. Speaking of the devil, ''Where is Jake?'' I asked. ''Why didn't he come to me to say all of this?''
Conchobar laughed, really laughed. I felt like a little kid who had just asked where the real Santa was, instead of its own father.
''You think of Jake as your friend, don't you? '' The tall man sat down on one of the tree roots and patted on the one next to him for me to sit down. I took a root on the other side and rested my head on my hands. ''The night we wanted you to come with us but held Stefan instead? Jake was the one who volunteered to do it. He even suggested abducting you at the ball.'' Conchobar shook his head and looked in pity at me. ''Can't say I don't feel sorry for you, kid. You really seemed to trust him. Even now, you still don't believe me.'' I walked away from him; I didn't need to hear anymore. I'd believe no one but Jake, if he said Conchobar was right, I had really misplaced my trust. The wolf called after me but I ignored him until I felt his fingernails in my arm. I turned around and tried to punch him but he was faster. ''Look, I came here to offer you an easy solution for all this.'' I raised my eyebrow and pulled my arm free. ''I'm listening but keep it short.''
A smile crept across the old man's face and I could feel the urge to make a surprise hit to make him suffer. But I ignored it and kept a straight face. I wasn't going to win from a wolf.
''You come with me, Stefan goes free.'' Conchobar laughed and added, ''That even rimes!''
''What do you mean? '' All the anger I felt towards the man had faded, replaced by little sparks of hope that I could something for Stefan. Conchobar shrugged, like it was easy to understand. Which it actually was, the more I thought about it. ''What is it that you want me for anyway?'' I asked, crossing my arms. I wasn't going to give in easily. ''My dear, I only want to protect you. That's all.'' He placed his hand on my shoulder but I ducked away. What did he mean by protect me? How on earth was he protecting me when he was the thing I should be protected from?
''Don't worry about that, just know that we don't hurt you but don't mind to hurt Stefan. If you come with me, I'll promise you that you won't be harmed.'' He seemed sincere, like he honestly believed he didn't want to kill me, like I did want to do. I considered everything he said, everything I knew and everything my brothers had ever taught me. I knew they wouldn't like it if I went with Conchobar but since they apparently hadn't found another solution, this might be the only one. Besides, this could stop Stefan's pain the witch was causing him. How did I even still had a choice?
''Take it, '' Conchobar said, ''or leave it.'' He crossed his arms which made him look scarier. The mans was literally looking down at me and even though I was used to that feeling, I didn't like it one bit.
''Fine.'' I answered. ''But, you need to promise me you won't go after any other sibling of mine.'' Conchobar smiled and stuck out his hand. I shook it and told him to wait for me while I went packing. Not sure I had made the right decision; I climbed up the ladder for the fourth time today. I looked around my room and thought of the things I might need. My backpack was lying under the bed; I took it and filled it with clothes and underwear. Even though it seemed ridiculous, I took my make-up too. A brush, toothbrush, the necklace, paper and pen, followed. At last, I looked at the books Michael had given me and put one in it too. A coat on, backpack on my back and cell in my hand, I climbed out the window to face a destiny I had never seen coming.
''You're doing the right thing.'' Conchobar asked me to hand over my cell, which I did but not without complaining. While we were walking out of my garden, I had never felt so unsure about my future. I might not see Caroline, Willow and my other friends again, nor Elijah and the others. Maybe, I'd never even walk on this grass again.
