Caroline and Matt ran toward their village, Caine following close behind. Matt's head kept turning around to look at the wolf whose mouth was still bloody with leftover soldier. She was surprised the obvious question had not already been asked, but Caroline could certainly see it forming now. It was only a matter of time before…
"Caroline?" Matt began, but she was prepared with a response.
"He saved my life. He gets to come along."
"What if it turns on us? We can't just blindly trust an animal that comes from the forest."
"What choice do we have? He has yet to kill me and I see that as a positive," she muttered, sprinting ahead of Matt so he would not continue to argue with her.
She was very aware of how dangerous this animal could be, but considering what other creatures lurked across the land, this one was much tamer. He may not have been Caroline's first choice, but any help to protect her or her friends was more than welcome. Whether it had ulterior motives or not had yet to be seen.
"Please tell me you see what I see," Matt shouted suddenly from behind her, looking off into the distance.
Caroline's brow furrowed, looking in the direction Matt was as she slowed to a jog. Her eyes widened at the bright light shining from where her home was over the hills, smoke rising up over the sky. It could only mean one thing, and it was not a thought she wanted to consider.
After a couple more minutes of running, the three of them arrived at the village's edge. Their suspicions were—unfortunately—confirmed, and Caroline watched in horror as their village went up in flames.
The smell of burning wood and straw reached Caroline's nose as she saw the townspeople run around in chaos, trying to extinguish what they could. Caroline didn't see the point. The fire was far too wild, roaring at every attempt to dampen the flames. It lit the darkened sky up brighter than the stars and the moon put together. They should be focusing on getting their belongings, and leaving as quickly as possible. Not saving what was not capable of being saved.
"Oh no," Caroline breathed. As if her home being attacked wasn't bad enough, this likely meant that Bonnie was not there, but in fact, captured like they had feared.
"The guards beat us here," Matt said sadly, "It has to be them."
"What do we do?"
It was then that Caine decided to take off at a full sprint into the village, a growl tearing through his throat as he went straight for one of the guards. Well, she couldn't very well try and stop him from doing that. All she could do was hope that her family and friends were safe from his wrath. While she couldn't control whether he followed or not, it would still be on her conscious if he injured someone.
"If that damn wolf hurts anyone…" Matt threatened, not finishing his sentence.
"His fight seems to be with the guards. Let him have his fun. We have to focus on getting everyone out. Find your mom and sister. I'll search for my parents as well as Bonnie's. Find anyone else if you can, then meet me back here."
"Stay safe," Matt told her. He placed a quick kiss to her forehead before running off toward his home. Caroline wiped her dagger on her skirts, and then proceeded to do the same.
Nobody outside bothered acknowledging Caroline's presence. It's not like there were many people, maybe thirty tops. Compared to the larger towns, it was nothing. The fire held their attention while she pushed past those in her way. Caroline bypassed the soldiers that still remained, setting fire to everything with their torches. If only her people would fight back instead of taking this. They were but men. These were not the scariest of soldiers Lord Kol had fighting for him.
Caroline took as many hidden pathways as she could, avoiding the main square as much as possible. She preferred not having to kill any more soldiers than necessary. Two had been enough for one night, or lifetime.
With a few more stealthy maneuvers, Caroline found herself at the back entrance to their wooden house. The trip inside had to be quick. She needed to make sure everything salvageable was retrieved, and her parents were unharmed, or out of the house completely. The upstairs was already enflamed, so a new change of clothes would be out of the question. Her small travel bag was downstairs, however, and that would be helpful for carrying food. This whole venture hadn't been pointless.
She quickly went inside, her eyes searching for her parents immediately. Caroline was relieved to find no one. Good, they had left. This would be a much easier trip. She went straight for the kitchen, grabbing her travel bag as she did. The small knapsack would be able to hold a little food, but how much food did she have to take? It would have to be something that kept. A loaf of bread, some fruit, maybe a couple of biscuits her mother kept around for stray animals.
Before taking her leave, Caroline grabbed a blanket to stuff into her knapsack, as well as a cloak to keep her warm through the cold nights, and whatever loose cloth she could get her hands on. If only they had a map of the land, her inventory would be complete. But alas, they would have to do without. Once she was back outside, the number of dead bodies lying around had increased, but to her relief, they all belonged to guards. If their wounds were anything to judge by, it seemed her savior had been busy.
Caroline ran back to where she said she would meet Matt, keeping her dagger out at the ready in case any more threats presented themselves. Who cared if her parents noticed, she wanted to be sure they would be able to see her in the first place.
Right when she turned the last corner from one of the homes, she saw her parents running thanks to her peripheral vision. Her father was fighting off one of the few remaining guards, while Liz ran toward Caroline unknowingly.
"Mom!" Caroline shouted, trying to get her attention.
Liz's eyes locked with hers, and her mother's face lit up when she saw her daughter, moving faster to close the gap between them. Caroline's arms went tightly around her mother when they met; so glad to see she wasn't injured.
"I was so worried they had gotten to you," Liz gasped, pulling back to inspect Caroline.
"I'm fine, mom, but we need to get out of here. Where are Abby and Rudy?"
"Hopefully they left for the caves," Liz said, as if it should have been obvious. "What's wrong? Where are Bonnie and Matt?"
"I'll explain once we're safe," Caroline assured her, "but right now we need to get as far away from here as possible."
"I'm not leaving without your father," Liz told her, looking back worriedly at William.
Caroline looked up in time to see her father tossed to the ground, his arm bloody from a gash on his shoulder. The clank of his sword hitting the guards was all she could hear from where they stood, the fire's light gleaming on the metal. The soldier was about to push down harder when a black furball came flying through the air, enveloping the man's throat—the one exposed piece of skin. Pity they were foolish enough to leave any body part revealed. At least it gave William enough time to take his sword, and stagger to where Caroline and Liz stood, astonished at his narrow escape.
"Sorry I'm late, sweetie," Bill—as he was so often called—said warmly, smiling as he wrapped his arms carefully around Caroline. She chuckled, her heart still racing with fear.
"You're forgiven if you two will just get out of here. Now where's—"
She was cut off by a bloodcurdling scream, causing all three of them to turn toward the source. It was Vicki, Matt's sister, screaming in protest as Matt dragged her out of their home. Finally, Matt had to toss her over his shoulder to keep from stopping completely. When she didn't see Matt's mom with them, Caroline instantly thought the worse.
"Come on," she choked out, waving her parents to where she had entered. "We have to go."
The three of them darted out of the burning village as fast as they could. All she could hear were Vicki's wails, and the crackle of the fire that encompassed the quickly dwindling space. It was an eerie sort of almost-silence that sent shivers down her spine. Who knew that her day would have turned out like this when she had awakened in her bed that morning?
They made it to the pond that was just beside the entrance to the caves, stopping to catch their breath now that they were out of immediate danger. The caves were a fair distance from the village, allowing them an ample safehold for emergencies. Caroline could already see the light of the small fire burning in the cave, and the murmur of activity inside. The trees surrounding them added extra coverage and a sense of security. She felt better about wanting to leave and find Bonnie, knowing her parents would be safe until they found a new home. The caves were only meant to be a temporary replacement after all. Eventually, they would need to search for new housing arrangements, or start building from scratch.
Caroline heard something drop to the ground with a soft thump, making her turn around to see that Vicki was on the ground, crying, while Matt held her closely. Tears were forming in his own eyes while he comforted his sister. There was a moment of silence for the loss of his mother, and a dear friend. Caroline sat down on the small slope at the pond's edge, wrapping her arms around her knees while the tears fell down her cheeks. This night was not getting any better, was it?
A pair of yellow eyes came into view from the direction their group had come, sauntering over to where Caroline sat. Caine was as bloody as ever, fresh blood adding on to what was already drying to his fur. Despite the overwhelming sense of loss, she couldn't help but giggle softly at the image. Maybe she was unhinging from all the stress, or maybe she was desensitized because of the war, but there seemed to be something funny about how this creature kept taking blood baths.
"You're quite the messy eater," she sniffed, smiling as she dug into her pack for a piece of cloth. Caroline needed something to distract her from losing the person who had been like a second mother.
Dabbing the cloth into the clear pond water, she raised her hand gently, showing Caine her intentions. The wolf looked at her quizzically, tilting his head like he didn't understand what a bath was. He inched closer though, cautious of her actions. Caroline bit her lower lip, concentrating on not angering the animal. None of this would be necessary if he would just stop indulging in his mayhem.
Caroline wiped any traces of blood from his fur, watching occasionally as his eyes catalogued her every movement, his face remaining emotionless. He sat upright through the process, frozen in place while she cleaned him thoroughly. He certainly wouldn't trust anyone soon, but at least he seemed to be on her side. Nothing helped people—or creatures—bond better than a common enemy.
"I guess I owe you thanks for two lives tonight," she whispered, tenderly wiping the cloth along his muzzle. "I don't know why you're helping, but I can only guess you have something against Lord Kol. For that, I'm grateful. Now, if only you could talk. Maybe we would be able to help each other better if you could."
A quiet giggle escaped as she finished up her work. The land was a melting pot of creatures, and filled with the unknown. If Caine were to start barking words in that moment, she wouldn't be overly surprised.
"Caroline, I don't know what's so funny, but I don't think this is the time to be laughing," Liz said gently to her, walking over to clasp a hand on her daughter's shoulder.
"Nothing is funny," Caroline said honestly, still looking at Caine. "But if I don't laugh, then I'm afraid I won't stop crying."
Liz shared a sympathetic look with her, placing a sweet kiss to Caroline's forehead. "We are heading inside to give you three some privacy. Come in when you're ready."
"Mom, wait," Caroline began, giving Caine a final pat before standing up and wiping her eyes clean. "We need to talk."
"About?" Liz walked with Caroline and Bill to a more private area, but Caine insisted on following. Nosy little wolf he was. Murder the guards, sure, but a little privacy? Caroline was on the fence between believing he was a genius or a rotten mutt that didn't know better.
"Matt and I can't stay," she told them slowly, knowing this would sound completely ludicrous after everything that had just happened. "We have to leave tonight."
"I beg your pardon?" Liz asked, disbelief clear in her tone. "Why in the world would we ever allow that?! The soldiers are obviously out making their turns. They might find you! Under the orders of Lord Kol, I don't think they would be generous enough to let you run—"
"They already found us," Caroline interjected, silencing Liz immediately. "And they have Bonnie."
"What?" Bill asked in surprise.
"They took her from us, daddy," Caroline said, trying not to break into more tears. "They…they think she's a witch."
"But that's crazy! She's no more a witch than I am a fighter," Liz argued.
"She is though, mom," Caroline admitted quietly. "I've seen it. They took her for her magic."
"I don't understand," William said, confused. "How is our sweet Bonnie one of those vile beings? She was always so kind."
"And she still is," Caroline said firmly, wanting to knock some better sense back into her father. He always was so prejudice. "This doesn't change anything about her. Matt and I have to save Bonnie before something really bad happens."
"It's my fault," a female voice said, surprising them all.
The three turned around to see Abby and Rudy standing nearby, able to hear their entire conversation. How had Caroline missed them approaching?
"Nobody is at fault," Caroline assured her gently.
"I should have told her about the Bennett bloodline, and the power we possess. It was my responsibility and I failed. I wanted her to have a normal life. I didn't want Bonnie to be weighed down with having to hide her magic, so I thought by not telling her, she could live blissfully unaware of what our world would think of her as."
"Does that mean…" Caroline trailed off. All this time though? How had she not figured it out?
"Yes. I'm a witch," Abby confessed.
"Impossible," Bill breathed, shaking his head in denial.
"Don't look as if you haven't known me your whole life, William," Abby spat, staring vehemently at him. "I am no threat to you or this village."
"What about you?" Liz asked Rudy, "Are you a warlock?"
"No. It only runs through Abby's side," he said matter-of-factly.
"Please," Abby said more softly now, looking to Caroline. "Save my daughter. I can't leave these people unprotected or I would go myself."
"You were no help when the guards came, why not go after Bonnie?" Bill retorted.
"The guards would have taken me as well if I had."
"But you're more powerful than they are, surely you could have taken them as well as save the village."
"Magic takes energy," Abby said, inching closer to Bill. "I don't expect you to understand since you have never taken the time to comprehend the forces you don't agree with, but I assure you I did what was right. I have not spent time honing my craft because of fools like you. My abilities are not as powerful as they could be. If they had knocked me unconscious and taken me captive, I would not have been able to stop them, and I would be of no help to anyone. I am sorry the town was burnt to ashes, but now I can work on bettering myself to save your ass from future raids."
"You listen here, you inconsiderate—"
"Enough!" Caroline hissed, stepping between her father and Abby. "Fighting won't get us anywhere, and it certainly won't help Bonnie. So please!"
"I'm going inside," Bill mumbled, walking away as quickly as he could.
"Dad—" Caroline began, but it was too late. She couldn't wait for her father to cool down. She had to leave with Matt as soon as possible.
"Your father will come around, just give him time. It's been a long night for everyone," Liz soothed her, bringing Caroline in for a warming embrace. "Please…you're a grown woman, and I can't stop you from leaving, but be safe. I wish the carts hadn't burnt with the village, or I would send you off more comfortably."
"The horses ran off in fright anyway," Caroline chuckled, nuzzling into her mother's neck. "It wouldn't have mattered. But thank you. I promise we'll be back. I can't let Vicki lose more family."
"And I can't lose a daughter," Liz reminded her firmly, placing a kiss on Caroline's forehead. "Wait before you go. I'll see what we have in the cave for your trip."
"I already have some food and blankets," Caroline said, showing her the bag and all it's contents. "We'll be fine."
"You're going to need more than that," Liz smiled, her voice dry from the tears she held back. "Let me fuss over you and prepare you for your travels properly. Don't leave until I get back."
With that, Liz hurried off to the cave to find something more suitable for Caroline's travels.
"We'll go help her," Rudy offered, leaving with Abby to assist her mother.
Now it was time to take care of Vicki. She didn't imagine the girl would be thrilled with letting her brother go so soon after losing a mother, but Caroline and Matt had to save their friend, too. They were in a tough spot.
And it seemed Matt had already tried telling Vicki, because she was in both distraught and anger while staring at him.
"You can't be serious," she said, slapping him on the shoulder. "We just lost mom!"
"We're going to lose Bonnie too if we don't do something," Matt reminded her. "Caroline and Bonnie's parents will be here to look after you."
"I want you though," Vicki grunted, flopping down on the grass in a defeated heap. "I don't want you to die. I want you to stay with me."
"I won't die. No one else is going to die either. No one," Matt said, more to himself than Vicki. Caroline watched the littlest Donovan tear up more, placing one last kiss on Matt's cheek before running off. Caroline caught her before she could get too far.
"Vicki, wait," she begged, moving to give her a hug. "I promise I'll bring him back safely."
"You can't be sure everything will be fine," she cried quietly, sniffing into Caroline's shoulder.
"I know, but we won't lose him." Caroline stroked her hair gently, giving a final squeeze before letting her run back to the cave.
Matt slunk back against the tree trunk, staring out toward the pond. He looked absolutely exhausted.
"You know we could stay a night," Caroline told him, taking a seat across from where he sat. "Leave in the morning after we've rested. It really has been a long night, and we're going to need all of our energy to pull this off."
"We don't know what Bonnie's condition is. We can't wait," he told her distantly. "We have to get to her."
Caroline nodded, unable to argue with his reasoning. Her tormentors wouldn't wait until they had enough sleep. But they would have to camp somewhere that night, too. Preferably somewhere they could fall asleep without worrying about their safety.
"Matt…" She tried again, but he wasn't budging.
"Please, Caroline…we'll find a town on the way. I'm sure theirs an Inn we can stay at that hasn't been burnt down. At least we'll be further along there than we would be by staying here."
"Do you know if we'll pass any? The only reason we know about half of what's out there is because of travelers passing through the village. We have no maps; we have no knowledge of what is beyond our home besides theirs. What if things have changed since the last wanderer came? What if there are no towns to rest in?"
"Then we'll ask someone along the way," he grumbled.
"And what if we meet no one that is trustworthy enough to ask?"
"Then we'll figure something else out," Matt said, looking to her now. "Are you having second thoughts about going? I thought this was what you wanted. Don't you want to get out and experience the land for yourself? We'll find a way to Lord Kol's castle, and we will free Bonnie."
"It is, but we can't free her if we get lost."
"The only way to find her is by trying to explore where we haven't been. We certainly won't find her by staying here. Whatever we do out there is far more productive than what we do here. Trust me, we'll find our way. I have hope. I thought you did, too…or has that changed?"
Caroline sighed, turning to Caine as if the wolf would have the answers she so desired. Strangely enough, he sort of did. Of course she had always dreamed of leaving Mystoria, and had hope that it would be a possibility, but it had never been a reality until today. Her adventure had started when those guards found them in the clearing. And if Caine had not saved her, she would have only ever known the life of a village girl. He had given her hope, and a chance, for something much bigger.
"It hasn't," Caroline told Matt with finality. "I have hope that we'll find what we're looking for, too."
Matt gave her a small grin, turning to look back at the water. The three of them sat in silence for a few more minutes until Liz, Abby, and Rudy came back with a collection of items for their travels.
"I found more vegetables for you, but it's not a lot. I put in an extra blanket, and some candles as well. I'm sorry we couldn't find more to part with." Liz handed the pack to Matt, a small smile across her lips.
"You've done more than enough, mom," Caroline grinned, giving her a tight hug before letting go. This would not be the last time they saw each other. She had to remember that.
They took turns giving each other goodbye hugs after that. Abby and Rudy wished her and Matt safe travels, and Caroline didn't miss Liz asking Matt to bring her daughter and himself back safely. Bill never made an appearance again, but Caroline wouldn't let it bother her. No, this couldn't bother her. It was a lot for him to take in. He was understandably confused. She would just make up for lost time when she came back.
When Matt and Caroline were on their way, the three adults waved goodbye, watching them leave until Caroline could no longer see them. A heavy feeling weighed down upon her chest, but she knew this was for the best. The village would be fine without her, but Bonnie would not be. This was what they had to do.
"I'm a little surprised your wolf friend is still with us. Doesn't he have a home or a pack to go to?" Matt asked, noticing that Caine was walking on Caroline's other side.
"I don't know. I can't turn him away though. He's helped us with so much. The least we could do is offer him some temporary company until he decides to go elsewhere."
"I doubt the inns we visit will allow a wolf inside," Matt chuckled. "And if you feed him those biscuits I saw in your pack, then we'll never get rid of him."
"And why would we want to rid ourselves of a creature willing to kill guards of the west? Hmm?" Caroline asked smugly, earning herself a playful shove from Matt.
"Point taken," he said in defeat.
"Good. So stop complaining about him and keep moving. Who knows how long it will be until we reach a nearby town," she giggled, striding ahead with purpose. The dirt path in front of them seemed miles long now, but if they kept a steady pace, the three of them might get to a lodge before daybreak.
There was a particular stench that wafted through the air when Bonnie awoke. What was it though? And why did she smell it? The last thing she remembered before blacking out was being in the forest. Yes, she was in the forest running from the guards, it had been dark, and she had been separated from Matt. But that would mean…
She carefully moved her head, trying to feel how damaged her body was. Her head ached everywhere, and her neck felt tight, but otherwise she supposed she couldn't complain. It could have been far worse.
Now that she was sure her body was still in tact though, it was time to take in the rest of her surroundings.
The ground she lied on was cold, and a spot near her foot felt damp. It was stone. Her eyes flicked upward to see the walls were made of stone, too, with torches attached for light. Upon finding the bars that blocked her from escape, it was clear she was being held in a cell. Of course she was. But how had she gotten to Lord Kol's castle so quickly? It should have taken days to get from Mystoria to Roeth—the city Kol's castle resided in. At least, that was what she remembered hearing from those passing through town. Could they have been wrong?
Bonnie stood up carefully, making sure she still had enough strength to do so. Nothing felt woozy or out of place, thankfully. The room she was in was small, but beside the staircase that led outside was another cell. Other than the one she was in—which took up the entire side of the room—this was the only other prison.
There was also another prisoner sharing the room with her.
She crawled over to the bars, and stared across the room into the other cell. The woman inside was curled up in the corner, shaking while her arms stayed pressed around her knees. The girl's bright orange hair was matted, sticking to her forehead from the cold sweat that caused her to shiver in obvious fear. Her cell was much smaller than Bonnie's, but its condition looked much the same as hers. So what had the girl so petrified?
"Hello," Bonnie said, her voice dry from having not spoken for so long.
"Who are you?" The girl asked timidly, her high-pitched voice squeaking when her glazed over eyes turned to Bonnie. "Who am I?"
"What happened to you?" Bonnie breathed, her brows furrowing in confusion. It was more a rhetorical question, but the other girl answered anyway.
"I don't know," she replied distantly.
"Do you remember anything?" Bonnie asked kindly, grasping the bars to her prison tightly.
"Of course she doesn't, darling," a man said out of nowhere, "Her brain is fried from all the compulsion."
Bonnie turned to see the man—who looked more like a boy—leaning leisurely against the wall closest to the stone stairs, twirling a small gem between his fingers. His short, light brown hair framed his face, accentuating his distinct features. He was rather handsome, except for the fact that his boyish face held a mischievous expression that made Bonnie uneasy. This was not like the pictures she had seen. It was much different seeing him in person.
"Lord Kol," she said with certainty.
"So my devilishly handsome good looks precede me," Kol said smugly, grinning as he pushed himself off the wall.
"More or less," Bonnie murmured, forcing herself to stand up so she would be more at eye level with the prince. "What have you done to her?"
"I already told you. Compulsion. Evie used to be a maid here, but she always saw and heard too much. Poor girl never learned to keep her nose out of other peoples' business," he sighed, leaning casually against the rails of Bonnie's cage so that he was facing her. He was inches from her face, speaking softly as if to keep the nonexistent ears in the room from listening to their conversation.
"Why have you kept her down here, then? If she can't even remember her name, why not let her go?"
"Such a silly question," he chuckled, still idly toying with his jewel. "I can't let her roam free when her memory could return at any moment."
"Maybe a more comfortable room so she isn't so cold?" Bonnie suggested, worried about the girl's condition.
"No point in dirtying up one of my rooms when she won't live much longer," he said conversationally, shaking his head in disappointment.
"How can you be so cruel?" Bonnie asked in disgust.
"Cruel? Would a cruel man offer to house you in a more adequate room during your visit?" Kol smiled. Something was off about his charm, if her prison wasn't enough indication of that.
"Why am I here?" she asked, clearly skeptical about his intentions. Bonnie had heard nothing but horrible things about the rulers of the land. It was their fault the land was in ruins. So why was he trying to be kind to her? What did he want?
That was when she remembered the guards saying something about arresting those with magical abilities. Yes! Lord Kol took witches and warlocks prisoner. That's why she was there.
"The look on your face says you already know," he whispered.
"Why do you need witches?" She asked honestly. "All I know is that no sooner than I find out I'm a witch, I'm being taken captive by your soldiers."
"Were they rude to you? I could have them killed or tortured if that would make you feel better," he offered earnestly, but then shook his head and laughed. "Oh, who am I kidding? I don't actually care. To answer your question," he continued, not missing a beat, "it's not what I need. It's what my brother wants. I hear he's looking for a special kind of witch, and they're a bit of a dying bloodline. No idea why he wants one, but whatever the reason, I obviously have to have it first. My search has been futile thus far. That is, until my guards came across you. For a while I wasn't sure you even existed. Yet, here you are."
"What do you mean?" Bonnie asked, still perplexed. "I told you, I just found out I'm a witch. What bloodline are you talking about? How do you even know if I'm the witch you're looking for?"
"Don't play coy, my witchy friend," he teased, standing directly in front of Bonnie to look her in the eye. "Tell me the truth. Are you not a Bennett witch?"
"You would actually compel me after taking the time to put on such a front?" Bonnie asked, noticing how his pupils constricted in a telltale sign of compulsion. Something a traveler had told her about. Luckily, her parents were always strict about growing vervain, and putting it in their drinks. Her village did not trust the supernatural for reasons like this.
"I thought all the vervain was gone from the land," Kol mused, not seeming to be upset from this discovery. "No matter. The vervain will eventually leave you. As of this moment, I don't have a dire need to compel you. A spell has been set around the castle to prevent you from leaving. I had a witch of mine take a sample of your blood while you were out. It's how the spell knows to keep only you inside. And, just because I like to brag, it's also how I know you're of the Bennett bloodline. Neat, huh?"
"All this just to keep me from your brother?" It was a lot of effort to ruin a sibling's plan. But what would he have done to her instead?
"I might use you later, perhaps, but for now, we simply need to keep you off his radar so that I can see him boil with anger," Kol grinned, positively giddy from his own plan. "Once I know his motives, I can turn them upside down by using you for whatever it is he wants."
"Who says I'll help either of you?"
"Oh, you won't have a choice," he said matter-of-factly. "That's the part where the compulsion comes in. I also have this axe around my waist that is dying to get some action."
"You're a despicable creature," Bonnie spat. She wanted to see her friends and family again, but what if she never could? What if this brat would keep her forever in his castle?
"I know. So, about that room…" he trailed off, gesturing toward the stairs. "You can come with me, or you can stay down here. I'm not normally so generous, so I would take the offer before I change my mind."
Bonnie didn't have to think about it. She was reluctant to help this vampire do anything, but she wasn't stupid enough to stay down there with the crazy woman who couldn't remember her name either. "I'll go with you."
"Excellent," he grinned, taking a key from around his waist and unlocking the door. "Follow me. Wouldn't want you to get lost, would we?"
Hesitantly, she followed Lord Kol up the stairs, and around a few corners until they were at another set of stairs. When they reached the top, the room they entered was noticeably less dreary than the dungeon she had just come from. When she exited the narrow hallway, her eyes widened at the sight of the dining hall.
The bright white wallpaper lit up the room, with it's gold trim traveling all the way around at the top. Pillars stood as tall as mountains, and a grand chandelier hung high above to cast a soft glow around the massive room. Windows that touched the ceiling and floor lined one of the walls, allowing Bonnie a grand view of the land his castle stood above—or rather what land there was to look at from all the destruction.
Servants hurried along the floor to prepare for the next feast, or to simply do their daily duties. It was nighttime now, so Bonnie presumed it was to get ready for whatever tomorrow held.
"How did I get to the castle so quickly?" Bonnie asked, shuffling faster ahead so she was stride for stride with Kol.
"This little gem," Kol said happily, tossing said jewel in his hand. "Only one of it's kind. A warlock made it a long time ago when his feet ached from walking and there wasn't a horse in sight. He called it Sanquesta"
"How does it work?"
"You utter a spell, state where you want to go, and poof. There you are. You can't use it though, so no point in trying to steal it," he told her, knowing exactly what she was thinking of. Damn him. It wasn't that cunning, but she could hope.
"Why not?"
"For starters, it must recharge. You can't use it to go to the past or future, but to travel short or great distances; it still takes a lot of magic. It's why there is only one in existence. The power put into it to make the gem reusable, and to do so even if a witch or warlock isn't present to help it work, is truly incredible. I have the utmost respect for you witches. You're all capable of such wondrous feats."
"I never thought of it like that. But why else would I not be able to use it once it recharged?" She questioned, still trying to angle a way where she could get her hands on it.
"You really didn't know you were a witch," Kol muttered to himself, staring quizzically at Bonnie. "Intriguing. Well, you wouldn't be able to use it specifically because none of your magic works here thanks to my spell on the castle for you. Two, you don't know the incantation that makes it work. Three, I'm a fantastic hider. And finally, because all of the above are three excellent reasons."
Bonnie rolled her eyes. He was completely full of himself.
The rest of the trip was in silence as they went up the dark, marble staircase. There were a few more stairs on their walk, until they reached a long hallway decorated with dark, wooden walls, and more golden trim. The walls were lined with different shields, swords, and sporting trophies that showcased his achievements. Along with those, there were a few portraits that depicted the other rulers of the land. Where were the pictures of his parents though? Why were there not more pictures of his siblings?
"When were these made?" Bonnie asked, pointing to the pictures.
"A very long time ago. Before the war started," he said solemnly, not elaborating anymore than that.
"Do you miss them?" She wondered, curious as to how close his family was, or had been.
"That…is none of your business," he said seriously, approaching a large set of wooden double doors, and stopping. "This is your room."
Bonnie stood there, inspecting the door for anything that seemed out of place. "Can I go in?"
"No, I want you to stand out here all day," Kol deadpanned before waving impatiently at the doors. "Go inside! Experience the splendor of the castle for yourself."
She cracked a grin; unable to keep a straight face despite knowing this was all a show. Bonnie had heard the rumors of what Kol did to his people. Hell, he had said as much to her in the dungeon. Bonnie didn't want to like him, but he was like a big, centuries old kid.
The room she found on the other side of those doors was not what she expected. It was a cozy little bedroom, with wooden walls that matched the hallway, and intricate designs carved around paintings. There was a vanity, along with chairs, a mirror, and a bed with curtains that hung around the framing. A small chandelier fell from the ceiling to illuminate the room. There were two big windows parallel to the bed that gave her a gorgeous view of the courtyard below. It was magnificent for a prison. That's all it was, after all. She wouldn't forget that.
"It's stunning," she said, still taking in the room.
"Good. I don't have guests often. It's not as though I know what's welcoming and what isn't. There are some clothes in the wardrobe. My servants will attend to whatever else you may need. Don't get any ideas about escaping. You can't. I like you, Bennett, but one wrong move and I will not be afraid to execute you, whether I need your services or not."
"That isn't very welcoming," she quipped, a small grin tugging at her lips. "My name is Bonnie, by the way."
"Right. My best soldier will stand guard outside your door to make sure you don't try any other funny business, as well as make sure you're safe. Feel free to come down for breakfast anytime. The cooks are working constantly. I'll check on you when, and if, your services are necessary."
"And if they aren't? Will I be allowed to go?"
"Of course not," he laughed, "You'll just get to live a little longer."
With a small wave, Kol was out the door, and leaving Bonnie to her new room. She let the first tear of the night roll down her cheek as she looked outside at the blackened sky. It occurred to her that she hadn't seen Caroline or Matt the entire time she had been there. Though, they could be kept in another cell while she stood there in her lavish new quarters. Great. That wasn't something she wanted to think about before bed.
"Excuse me, ma'am. Is there anything I can do to make your stay more comfortable? I know Lord Kol doesn't make people feel at home sometimes," a young boy, about her age, asked, poking his head into her room. Bonnie didn't remember seeing him among the soldiers who had taken her. A shame, since his voice was tender, and very soothing.
"Actually…could you tell me if there was a man and woman who came in with me? Both have blonde hair, blue eyes, and are around my age. They were mistaken for witches, but I swear they aren't."
"No one was brought in besides you," he told her, a friendly grin spreading across his mouth. "Don't worry, your friends aren't in Master Kol's possession."
"Oh, thank goodness," Bonnie sighed in relief, sitting down on her bed and wiping her eyes. "Thank you."
"I know this is a lot to get used to, but I promise you'll be safe. If Klaus were to get his hands on you, there's a good chance you'd have a worse fate than this."
"It doesn't feel like it."
"I'm always here to talk if you need a friend," he told her gently.
"And how do I know you're not a spy?" Bonnie teased. She giggled a little at how weird a situation this was as she climbed into her bed. At least she could say she had an acquaintance in her midst.
"Cross my heart," he joked, crossing his finger over his heart with a smile. "Goodnight, Miss Bennett."
"Goodnight…" She trailed off, not knowing his name.
"Jeremy Gilbert, ma'am," he told her, closing the door a little as he moved to make his leave. "Just call if you need anything."
The night grew longer as Caroline realized her feet would carry her no more if they did not come across a town soon. It had been ages since they had departed the cave, but how far along had they actually gone? There had been no signs so far giving them any indication as to where they were. How many more miles until she could sleep under soft sheets?
It appeared she wasn't the only tired one, too.
"Matt, we need to make camp somewhere," she told him gently, noticing that he was beginning to sway on his feet.
"Mmm," he mumbled, shaking his head. "Keep going."
"No. Stop," she commanded, putting a hand on his chest. It was time they rest.
Caroline began leading him off the path and down the grassy hill toward the lake they had been near for the past couple miles. There would be some coverage with the few trees surrounding the water's edge, and she could finally bathe some of the dirt away.
She helped Matt ease down so he was sitting under one of the trees, placing the pack he was carrying, as well as hers, next to him. His eyes closed almost instantly, and the soft sounds of light snoring filled the silent night. Caroline giggled, rubbing her eyes as she made her way to the lake. The grass and wheat stalks were thankfully tall enough that even if Matt woke up, she would be protected from his eyes.
Caine was the only one with the privilege of accompanying her. His presence made her feel safer and she had no trouble letting him tag along. The night still sent her heart pounding after the events that had happened earlier. It was comforting to feel guarded.
"Do you bathe?" She asked curiously, knowing he wouldn't be able to answer.
As suspected, not a peep escaped him.
"You'll be lively company, I can see," she mumbled, beginning to undress as she made it to the lake's edge.
Once the top had been discarded, she took off her skirt, and then linen undergarments, placing them in a neat pile with her top. She dove into the water, resurfacing a couple seconds later. Caroline already felt refreshed as the cool water ran down her face. Caine sat on the edge, his paws over his eyes to keep from seeing her. She giggled upon seeing his attempt at giving her privacy. Swimming over to the edge, she used the tall blades of grass and wheat stalks to cover herself.
"It's okay to look. I know you won't tell anyone," she laughed softly, watching Caine lift a paw carefully so that his yellow eye could see her.
"For a vicious wolf, you're awfully considerate. Come on, live a little," she teased, splashing him just a bit with the water. "Play with me. I need some fun after today."
Caine was somehow able to convey his disinterest by simply staring at Caroline. His uncanny ability to show such human expressions didn't cease to amaze her. What was his story? What kind of a creature was he really? He couldn't be any ordinary wolf. It didn't seem plausible by the way he interacted with her.
Slowly—and to her surprise—Caine dipped a paw into the lake. He promptly took it back out, putting it neatly over his other paw. Was that supposed to be a splash? She quirked an eyebrow, continuing to splash him while he looked at her, clearly not amused by her antics.
"Maybe it's foolish of me to poke the wolf, but you can't seriously be nothing more than a beast. Show me you can play, too! Go on. I know you can."
Nothing. Caine only stared at her, making her feel like quite the moron.
"Fine, don't be anything more than a strange creature who keeps following us around. It's okay, it's not like I wanted to make a friend," she mumbled to herself, running her fingers through her soaking wet hair.
She gradually began to nod, stepping out of the water. "I think I'm clean," she said more to herself than Caine. There would be other lakes for her to clean her clothes. No need to do it now.
After redressing completely, Caroline made her way over to where Matt was sleeping, and lied down just far enough away to give them both space. She curled up on her side, facing the lake she had just come from. This was the part she didn't want to go through. She didn't want to think about Bonnie getting taken. She didn't want to think about almost dying at the hands of the guards. She didn't want to think about Vicki and Matt losing Kelly to the fire those very guards had caused.
"When will it end?" She asked, just loud enough for Caine to hear. "When can I stop watching people die? When will the rulers actually become rulers, and stop this war?"
Caine began to inch closer, wary of Caroline's oncoming tears. Her voice was already beginning to choke up. After holding it in all night, it was hard to keep them in any longer as sleep drew near.
"I'm tired of crying. I'm tired of hoping for something better when I don't know if it exists. I don't even have it as bad as poor Bonnie. What does that say about me? Am I weak?"
She sniffed, closing her eyes to try and wipe the continuously rolling tears away. They just wouldn't stop.
When she opened her eyes again, she saw Caine had moved closer, and was eyeing her with curiosity. Very hesitantly, he lowered himself down beside of her, and draped his head gently over her shoulder. The warm feeling of his fur next to her damp skin made Caroline feel slightly comforted, like she had a blanket draped over her body. After all night of trying to coax him into doing something, it surprised her that now was the time he chose to show any compassion.
As sleep finally began to overtake her, Caroline started to think that maybe Caine really was more than just a cold-hearted wolf. Maybe she could befriend him yet.
The crack of dawn awoke Klaus from his deep slumber the next morning. When had he fallen asleep? Would his soldiers and servants suspect anything if he came back at such a time? Actually, it would be a little later, since it was likely going to be a long trek to his castle from here.
Yes, this little hunting expedition had proven to be rather informative.
He very carefully lifted his head from Caroline's shoulder, trying his best not to wake her. What was it about this girl that had him in such a tizzy? He shouldn't have fallen asleep next to her. He shouldn't have stayed with her for so long yesterday, but at the same time, he couldn't pull himself away.
Don't worry, sweetheart, he thought while he started to sniff Caroline, I'll find my way back before you reach Kol. He won't know what's coming to him.
Sniffing around her one last time to make sure he had her scent memorized—as if he could honestly forget it—Klaus took his leave. Preparations had to be made so he could take an extended time away from the castle without anyone questioning his whereabouts. Her smell was how he would find his way back to Caroline and Matt. This would be no problem for him.
As Klaus began his journey back, he recalled how he felt the need to save Caroline after watching her fight those two imbeciles that belonged to Kol. There was nothing better than seeing his brother's plans fail, but this particular rescue had been for Klaus. He had wanted to save her of his own accord with no reasoning for doing so. She had looked so delicious though that he thought about taking her, too. He distinctly remembered wanting to kill her.
That was when he had found out about the possibility of her friends being taken by Kol's guards. If Kol had an interest in it, then it was something Klaus probably wanted to get his hands on. So he had let her go, and decided to follow her. Not to mention that overwhelming scent of hers threw him into a mental uproar. It kept messing with his head. He continually told himself that was part of the reason he had saved her father. That, and he wanted to kill every one of Kol's men.
It turned out that letting her go free was a smart decision on his part. A Bennett witch was what she wanted. The very person he had been searching for. But now Kol had his grimy fingers on her. It only made sense at that moment to let Caroline try and cuddle him from there on out. She seemed to be the only one that wanted to anyway. At least her friend, Matt, was still cautious of Klaus. The girl was very trusting. It was a courtesy he wasn't used to being granted. Clearly, if she knew who he was, that trust would no longer be bestowed upon him.
So he had tried to growl less as the night progressed, and he had attempted to engage in her one-sided conversations to him. But the more she talked, the more he actually wanted to listen.
Maybe that was why he had felt the strong urge to comfort her when she cried that night. Maybe it was his animal instincts that screamed to protect her. It couldn't be, however, because she was no different than any other girl he had come across.
Yes, she was beautiful. Yes, she was strong—contrary to what she seemed to believe—but why ever would he think more than that of Caroline? She was a means to an end, and nothing more.
Klaus could never learn to enjoy such a woman's company.
A/N: And the adventure begins! Who knows what kind of pesky obstacles they'll face along the way. Maybe some other travelers?
Thanks for the feedback as well! I'm excited to get into this story.
