AN: Hello there, my lovely readers! I am back with another chapter! Thank you all so much for your kind reviews and favorites and follows! They really brighten my day! If you ever have any questions or something specific you'd like to see, please feel free to leave it in a review or pm me. I do try to respond to all my reviews. :) I hope you all enjoy this chapter!Happy reading!
Caroline groaned as her eyes adjusted to the light streaming into the apartment. She rubbed them gently and cracked her neck and back as she sat up on the couch. "Stef, you awake?" She called out, her voice groggy from her magic induced sleep.
"Ugh. Yeah." Stefan grunted out, as he covered his face with his hands.
"How long were we out for?" Caroline asked, looking around for Annie.
"Just a couple of hours. Around three." Annie shrugged.
"Three hours? Why don't I feel rested at all?" Stefan's muffled voice came through the pillow he was currently face down in.
Annie just chuckled. "Magic induced sleep is not restful sleep. It's for the purpose of conducting magic, which can exhaust the body."
Both vampires accepted Annie's logic. "So, were you able to find out anything?" Caroline asked, not wanting to push the witch, but really wanting answers.
Annie, who had been bustling around the apartment, stopped and looked at the two vampires with pity in her eyes. There was a long pause and finally Annie sighed. "It is definitely the work of a spell. A very strong spell, done by a strong witch."
Stefan read the look of defeat in Annie's eyes. "You can't break it, can you?"
Annie slowly shook her head. Her eyes scanned the stress and worry written on both Caroline and Stefan's faces. "I can find out where it originated. It would help you to be able to contact the witch that did the spell. Or maybe someone from her coven." Annie offered. It was all she could offer.
Stefan and Caroline exchanged looks. "What do you need from us?" Caroline asked, standing up.
"Just a few drops of blood from each of you. You two can go catch up with Al and Lorenzo. I will find you when I have an answer." Annie held out two cups and each vampire bit into their wrists and let some blood dribble out.
"Thank you, Annie." Caroline said, with a sad smile.
Caroline and Stefan easily found the bar where Al and Enzo were playing darts. The spelled vampires took seats at the bar and Stefan ordered them each a drink. "Do you want to talk about what you saw this time?" Stefan asked, a little worried about how silent Caroline had become.
"I saw his daughter." Caroline admitted quietly.
Stefan knew his friend well enough to understand that seeing Klaus' daughter had been hard for her and she would not want to talk about. "I feel like I am invading Bekah's privacy, you know?" Caroline nodded along, because she did agree. "I wonder what they would say if they knew we were seeing them, almost spying on them." Caroline laughed, but there was no real joy in it. She was tired and they were still no closer to figuring out who cast this spell on them and why. Stefan took a couple of gulps of his drink and then proceeded to swirl the rest of it around in the tumbler. "I think." Stefan paused, looking to see if Caroline was actually paying attention to him. When Caroline gave him an expectant look, Stefan gave a ghost of a smile and continued. "I think I just want to call her. Talk to Rebekah. Apologize for invading her personal time with friends and family." Caroline just threw back the rest of her drink.
"Well, Gorgeous, Stefan. What was Annie able to figure out?" Enzo's voice wafted from behind Caroline. Al stood next to Enzo smiling hopefully.
"Not much, really." Caroline sighed. Enzo rested a soothing hand her back. "But she might be able to find out where the spell was performed. That way we can search for the witch that did it and hopefully get this mess straightened out.
"Well, it looks like you don't have to wait much longer." Al commented, with a big goofy smile on his face. It was quite clear to Caroline how in love Al and Annie were. She wondered if Annie would allow Al to turn her to stay with him forever. Forever. She had been promised forever and it was a strange concept.
Annie bounded into the bar, smiling from ear to ear. She stopped at Al and they shared a passionate kiss, which lasted a little longer than would be considered appropriate for a public place. "I was actually able to get an exact location on a map. Here." Annie placed a large map of the New Orleans area on the bar top. There was s spot of blood staining an area of the bayou, a few miles outside of the city. "Shall we take a drive?" Annie offered.
Caroline didn't need to be asked twice. "Yes. Let's go." She pulled Stefan off the bar stool and grabbed Enzo's shirt collar as she walked past him. Annie laughed at Caroline's sudden burst of enthusiasm.
"We will help you find the location and try to talk to the witch with you. She will most likely be more willing to discuss things with another witch present." Annie explained. "But once you have your answers, anything she asks after that is on you."
Caroline understood. Annie wasn't sure of what they might be getting into, but it more than likely involved the Originals. Caroline couldn't blame Annie for not wanting any part in dealing with the infamous Mikaelson siblings.
They drove for a little less than an hour and reached a pretty deserted part of the bayou. They group exited their cars and carefully began treading the area. "I can sense the magic. It was strong." Annie commented, to no one in particular.
"What's that over there?" Caroline pointed to a small wooden cottage. It seemed to stand out among the nature in the bayou.
"It's really strong here." Annie replied, with her eyes closed. She breathed in the air and just focused on her senses. "This was where the spell was done. I can guarantee it."
After that confirmation, Stefan and Caroline began to knock on the door. Enzo looked in one of the windows, but there was no one residing at the cottage. "I can't even hear a heartbeat." Caroline grumbled, kicking some dirt on the porch of the cottage.
"Maybe we should come back later." Annie's voice had a nervous edge to it.
"I'm waiting." Caroline stood her ground.
"Me too." Stefan agreed.
"Mate?" Al asked Enzo.
"I might as well stay along for the ride." Al nodded and gave Enzo a hug. "It was good to catch up with you. Annie, it was a pleasure."
"Call us if you find anything. Good bye!" Annie and Al rushed back to their car and peeled out of the bayou.
"That was strange." Enzo remarked, as he lounged against the cottage.
"Wait." Caroline grabbed Stefan's arm. "Do you smell that?"
"No." Stefan looked at his friend like she was losing it.
"What is it, Goldilocks?"
"Wolves. Werewolves. That's why Annie left." As Caroline said it, a pack of nearly twenty werewolves, in their human form, emerge from the trees.
A tall and muscular man stepped forward. Caroline assumed he was the Alpha. "What are you three doing here? We don't take kindly to your kind."
Stefan stepped forward to explain. "We were lead here by a spell. A witch performed a spell. Here at this cottage."
"No witches live out here." The alpha answered.
"Could you tell us who does? Maybe they know the witch. A friend or something. Please." Stefan didn't want to sound desperate, but he was.
The Alpha looked like he was at war with himself. After a minute or two of internal deliberation, the Alpha groaned. "The only person who ever stays at that cottage is a hybrid." Caroline perked up and stared at the Alpha. Tyler had been the only Hybrid left and when he returned from the other side, he was human again. So to her knowledge, that only left Klaus. There was no way Klaus lived at this tiny cottage. "Her name is Hayley Marshall."
Caroline's eyes practically bugged out of her head. "How did Hayley become a hybrid?!" Caroline shrieked.
The Alpha looked confused and took a threatening step towards Caroline. "How is it that some out of town vampires like yourselves, know Hayley?"
Enzo laughed jovially. "Mate, you'd be surprised of all the wonders that these two vamps know."
The Alpha narrowed his eyes at Enzo, looking like he was ready to strike. Caroline jumped in to diffuse the situation. "We are from Mystic Falls. I met Hayley through a mutual friend. We have also, uh, made acquaintances with some of the Mikaelsons."
The pack all seemed conflicted and on edge. But the Alpha knew a little of Hayley's story and what the vampire had said fit. "If you are looking for Hayley, you will find her in the care of the Mikaelsons. Good luck." The pack seemed to disappear back into the trees.
"Looks like we are going to have to venture into New Orleans." Stefan sighed.
Enzo clapped and jumped to his feet. "Let's go visit the big bad hybrid and his lovely little Original family." Enzo continued to smile, while Caroline dragged her feet back to the car. "I wonder if I will like Klaus. Probably not. Maybe under different circumstances." Enzo rambled on. "You know, if he wasn't the reason that Gorgeous won't give me the time of day." Enzo stopped his rambling when Caroline punched him, hard, in the arm.
Klaus was sitting at Rousseau's, nursing a glass of scotch when Marcel waltzed in the doors. "Klaus!" His voice boomed through the mostly quiet bar.
"Hello, Marcel. Have you come to finally discuss how we are going to rid the world of my darling father?" Klaus spit the word 'father' out like it was acid burning his mouth.
"First things first, Klaus. I know you have your family secrets. Don't forget, I was a part of that many years ago. But I need you to come clean and be honest. Then I will promise to do all in my power to fight alongside you. I will pledge my loyalty." Klaus narrowed his eyes at his protégé. He knew what Marcel was fishing for, but he would not give up Hope's existence unless Marcel actually asked. Marcel readied himself to ask Klaus about the rumors of the baby having survived the witches, when Davina flew through the door. Davina quickly walked towards Marcel and stopped awkwardly when she saw Klaus. Davina took a deep breath and gulped down her newly rising fear of the hybrid. "Oh, Hey Dee." Marcel patted the seat next to him.
"Little witch, have you come to talk Marcel out of working with me or are you planning on joining our alliance?" Klaus leered dangerously at the teenager.
Before Davina could answer, Cami plopped down in the remaining chair at the table. "Hey, I'm on my break and I'm worried that this conversation is going to end in disaster." The foolish, but fearless blonde human made herself comfortable.
Klaus looked between Davina and Marcel. He had no business with Cami at the moment. Davina swallowed hard again and just nodded at Klaus. "I'm here to help." She said with an uncharacteristically timid voice.
Klaus' fiery eyes turned to Marcel. "Ok." Marcel smiled and clapped his hands. "Out with it. Confirm or deny. Did Hope actually die by the hands of the witches?"
Cami and Davina both tensed up, something that wasn't missed by either vampire. Klaus knew it was because they were both aware of Hope's being alive and Marcel would be angry to know that they never spilled that secret to him. Marcel assumed they had tensed up because they were worried how Klaus would react to the question. Klaus just smiled. He gave his alarmingly charming, but dangerous smile. It showed his dimples, but it also showed how he could tear the entire bar apart in a matter of seconds. "No. My daughter is alive and well. In hiding." Klaus whispered. "You do not get that location, as I am not completely sold on your allegiance to me."
"Fair enough." Marcel conceded. Cami relaxed significantly and left to grab drinks for the three super naturals, who were also her friends. Davina was still on edge, watching Klaus very closely. Cami went back to work, satisfied that the three powerful creatures in her bar were working together and not against each other.
The discussions of murder and mayhem came to a halt when a young and loyal vampire sped into the bar. "Excuse me, Klaus." Luke bowed slightly, showing his submission.
"What is it Luke?' Klaus tried not to get angry with the young vampire. Luke was very loyal, but sometimes he was foolish and even more paranoid than Klaus.
"There are three new vampires wondering around the streets of New Orleans." Luke replied, timidly.
"And?" Klaus was not impressed. "Find out what they want here."
Klaus was ready to dismiss the vampire when Luke uttered the next four words. "They're looking for Hayley." Klaus turned his head back to the young vampire and raised his eye brows in surprise. Luke gulped. "They have been asking around, saying they need to see Hayley."
Klaus paled, but recovered quickly. He could assume the only reason vampires would be looking for Hayley were if they were after Hope. "Marcel, please gather some men and find these vampires. Don't kill them, but detain them." Klaus said with an eerie smile on his face.
Marcel nodded and pulled at Davina's hand. "Let's get you home, Dee. It's not too safe out there right now." Marcel and Davina followed Luke out of the bar.
Elijah held the door open for Marcel, Davina and Luke and entered the bar after they exited. Elijah quickly scanned the bar and found his brother, who seemed to be getting ready to leave. "Niklaus." He called.
Klaus directed his attention towards his big brother. "Ah, Elijah. What brings you around?" Klaus settled back down in his seat and waved his hand over the one across from him. "Have a seat."
Elijah eased himself down in the chair and glanced at his brother. "I want to clear the air, Niklaus."
This immediately put Klaus on edge. With the arrival of some strange vampires looking for Hayley, Klaus was extra paranoid. "About?"
"Hayley and my feelings for her." Some of Klaus' tension melted away and he eyed his brother carefully, waiting for Elijah to elaborate. "I fear that I have developed feelings for her."
"Why are you bringing this to my attention? The doppelgänger you were hung up on all those years is gone. Why does it matter to me who you bestow your affections on?" Klaus asked. He honestly didn't care if Elijah wanted to be with Hayley. As long as Elijah didn't try to take over as Hope's father.
"She is the mother of your child. I do not want you thinking that I am trying to step in your territory." Klaus nodded and shrugged. "Niklaus, I am serious. I do not know if she feels the same, but I would like to be honest with her, about my feelings. Do I have your blessing?"
Klaus laughed at the idea of Elijah asking for his blessing. "You have never cared for my blessing before. Why now?"
"Because now it involves a child. Your child. I would never want to take Hope away or step in as her father." Elijah explained.
"Sure, Elijah. You have my blessing. Go tell the little wolf of your feelings. I hope for your sake she feels the same." Klaus replied.
Luke chose that moment to vamp to the table. Looking a little worse for wear and out of breath, he smiled at the two Mikaelson's. "The three rogue vampires have been vervained and their necks have been snapped. They are being held in the cell at your home."
"Well done, Luke." Klaus smiled and decided to retire for the night. Tomorrow he would visit the captives.
Caroline opened her eyes and groaned. Here she was back in another dream about Klaus. She was back in that bar, what was it called. Caroline racked her brain for a minute. Rousseau's. Right. It didn't take long for Caroline to spot Klaus. He was sitting at a table with Elijah. Caroline took her time walking over to him, just observing him and his brother. Elijah, as usual, was wearing an expensive, tailored suit. His hair was neatly combed, but he almost looked worried. Fear was not something Caroline was accustomed to seeing on the faces of the Originals. Klaus looked relaxed, though his eyes told a different story. His eyes looked tired. The rest of him looked handsome and powerful. Caroline stood in front of the table and listened in on their conversation.
"Why are you bringing this to my attention? The doppelgänger you were hung up on all those years is gone. Why does it matter to me who you bestow your affections on?" She heard Klaus ask.
"She is the mother of your child. I do not want you thinking that I am trying to step in your territory." Elijah replied. Caroline looked on as Klaus nodded and just shrugged. It seemed Elijah had feelings for Hayley? That was not a match Caroline would have ever thought possible, but it could be interesting to see this out. "Niklaus, I am serious. I do not know if she feels the same, but I would like to be honest with her. Do I have your blessing?" Elijah continued.
Caroline shook her head sadly as Klaus laughed at his brother. "You have never cared for my blessing before. Why now?"
"Because now it involves a child. I would never want to take Hope away or step in as her father." Caroline smiled at Elijah's explanation. It really cemented the idea that Elijah cared for his brother, despite their past altercations.
"Sure, Elijah. You have my blessing. Go tell the little wolf of your feelings. I hope for your sake she feels the same." Caroline didn't quite like the way Klaus just dismissed the moment between him and Elijah, but she was proud of him for giving his blessing to Elijah.
Caroline narrowed her eyes as a vaguely familiar looking vampire sped into the bar. He stopped in front of Klaus. "The three rogue vampires have been vervained and their necks have been snapped. They are being held in the cell at your home." This new vampire explained. Caroline's eyes shot open, widely. 'Three rogue vampires', 'vervained', 'necks have been snapped'. Caroline thought back to the last thing that happened before she woke up in dream world. She had been walking with Stefan and Enzo down a street. A group of vampires, older ones, circled around them. A fight broke out and Caroline witnessed a handsome, dark skinned vampire snap Enzo's neck. Caroline was fighting a vampire, the one talking to Klaus! He had been the one to vervain her after she watched another vampire vervain Stefan. They were the three captive vampires. This dream was more than just a weird dream, she really was seeing Klaus live his life. That caused Caroline to panic.
"Well done, Luke." Caroline heard Klaus say and then he smiled.
"Not well done!" Caroline began shouting. She jumped in front of Klaus, only to have him walk through her. "Ugh! Klaus!" She shouted. "It's us, you captured us!" She screamed at Klaus, who only continued his path out of the bar and away from her.
Caroline jumped, as she woke up. Enzo was staring at her, with a strange expression on his face. "You may have been dead, but I am pretty sure I heard you moan and you even twitched. What were you dreaming about? Something good, perhaps?" Enzo winked.
Caroline took a moment to look around. All three of them were in one cell. They were each chained by their wrists and ankles to the wall. The chains were laced with vervain and burned whenever Caroline tried to shimmy her wrists free. "Enzo." Caroline growled. "Hey Stef. Wake up!" Caroline called, but in a hushed voice. She didn't know who might have been listening.
Stefan jerked awake and groaned when he realized what happened. "Care, you ok?"
Caroline smiled, but it came out as more of a grimace. "Yeah. So, I saw Klaus in my dream, again."
Enzo rolled his eyes playfully. "What's new, Gorgeous?"
"No. Listen. I heard him talking to a vampire. The vampire that vervained me. We are in one of Klaus' prisons." Enzo and Stefan both stared at Caroline for a full minute.
"So, you think when we dream, we really are seeing them, what they are doing at that minute?" Stefan asked.
"Yes! I swear. I think this spell is really crazy. But we might be able to figure it out. We just have to get out of here and find Klaus, Rebekah and Hayley." Caroline finally conceded.
"Yeah, before his minions torture us and rip our hearts out." Stefan grumbled.
"How do you suppose we escape, Gorgeous?" Enzo drawled. "Maybe we should just hope that the hybrid will just come down to torture us himself and then you can bat your eyelashes at him and get him to set us free."
"Enzo, Klaus may be very hands on with his punishments, but he is trying to run a kingdom and protect his daughter and family, and apparently a blonde human." Stefan tried to hide his amusement at Caroline's jealousy. "He probably doesn't have time to take care of three rogue vampires, as they called us."
The three of them struggled and discussed any ideas they could come up with. After almost an hour of planning, they had gotten nowhere. They were still bickering when the sound of a heavy door opening silenced them. "Someone is coming down here." Caroline whispered.