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The Spotless Minds: Chapter 3
She was a complete vision in blue; stunning in every sense of the word. The dress, a royal blue that sparkled as if it had caged every star in the night, made her eyes illuminate from distances away. Her delicate yet strong hands were wrapped securely in satin gloves with a silver antique bracelet for accessory. Her naturally sun-kissed curls were tucked up loosely, strands falling randomly onto her rosy cheeks.
She stood awkwardly beside the door, unaware of the eyes gazing at her as if she were the very essence of the sun itself.
If that were the case, then Klaus would consider himself the moon. The darkness that most people feared and dreaded to come, always waiting for the bright light to begin to consume it once again at dawn.
Caroline's light consumed him.
It blinded him as he made slow but certain steps towards her.
Her eyes met his before he reached her, and he noticed the way she nervously fingered the bracelet. Somehow that brought a small smile to his face, and his thoughts began to question whether she had liked her gifts.
"Good evening," he said, a light hum in his voice when his eyes locked on hers. They always did something to him that Klaus could never explain, nor wanted to for the matter.
"I need a drink," was her expected response.
Caroline sidestepped around him, deliberately making sure she didn't graze him, and headed straight for the nearest waiter for a glass of champagne.
Klaus, rather than grow angry, found himself grinning. He cleared his throat, not wanting Caroline to think he was patronizing her, and headed back to her side. She flinched as his arm reached out beside her shoulder, touching her skin ever so lightly as he grabbed himself a glass from the tray the waiter offered.
She sipped her champagne, pretending as if he had no affect on her, but the blush in her cheeks suggested otherwise.
"You came," said Klaus, taking a sip as well.
Caroline cleared her throat. "I suppose I did."
"I take it you liked the dress and bracelet?" he asked, trying to keep his smug down. He had been so precise with his choice, wanting her inner light to shine. She was something to be shown off to the world, even if she didn't know it herself.
"A little too extravagant for my taste," she replied with just a slight sneer, "but I didn't really have time to shop."
"I'll count myself lucky then; you look absolutely ravishing, Caroline."
Her stare was hard, and her response blunt. "Why do you do that?"
Once again she managed to catch him off guard. "Do what, love?"
"Say my name like that," she mumbled, as if she were speaking to herself. "Like we're old friends catching up or something."
Klaus felt his head throb, and clicked his tongue.
Caroline suddenly appeared wary, and he realized that she mistook his response as annoyance towards her. On the contrary, his annoyance was at how perceptive she was (though he did find it impressive.) She was so much more than just a pretty face; one of the many things he enjoyed about her. He wondered how he should answer, his mind growing clouded as reality began to shift, heading towards a distant memory Klaus vowed to forget.
"Klaus?" Caroline called out, bringing him back to the physical plane.
"My apologies," he cleared his throat. "Must be the champagne."
Her face plainly told him that she didn't believe him, and was grateful when she let the matter drop. "Despite everything," she suddenly said, "I have to say that this is a really beautiful ball."
Her words were genuine, making the corner of Klaus's lip twitch.
The mansion hadn't been decorated, but it was well enough to be left alone. Music flowed throughout the room like a river, touching and entrancing all. A magnificent chandelier rested just atop of their heads, brimming with a soft glow, giving the entire room the illusion of evening. The twin stairs that curved upward seemed to be a favorite of a few of the guests, where they proceeded to snap photos and sip drinks against the lush wood railing.
A new song had begun to play, perfect for a slow and sensual dance, and Klaus was fully prepared to offer Caroline's hand in dance, when a new figure came to rest beside her. Klaus growled at his brother's unwelcoming and untimely arrival.
"Caroline," Elijah said.
"Elijah," she addressed him back, giving a slight nod.
His eyes roamed her dress, approval in his smile. He grasped her hand and placed the gentlest of kisses. "You look absolutely stunning, if it isn't obvious already."
Klaus narrowed his eyes at her flushed face. He noticed Elijah hadn't let go of her hand.
"Thank you," Caroline laughed unsurely. "You don't look so bad yourself. Is that a new suit?"
Elijah chuckled. "I do have specific suits for different occasions; yes." His eyes finally directed towards Klaus, as if he hadn't been aware of brother's presence till now. "Niklaus, my apologies, but can I borrow your date for a moment?" He didn't even wait for an answer, instead turning back to Caroline. "How about a dance, Caroline? I happen to love this song."
Her eyes caught Klaus's stare for a moment before she nodded. "Of course."
Elijah took her glass and handed it to Klaus, who took it begrudgingly. The two went off onto the dance floor, leaving the seething hybrid to wait off in the sidelines.
"That was pretty mean," Caroline said, "you know that right?"
Elijah raised a brow, his hand grasping her waist, pulling her closer. "I don't see you protesting."
She attempted to fight down the grin on her face. "Okay, you got me there. It was fun seeing him get angry like that."
Elijah returned her smile with a rare one of his own.
She found herself unable to look away, taken aback at how much a simple smile eased his face. He had a boyish charm to him that was always covered by a serious façade. And when he did smile, it was more of a cunning grin, sending shivers throughout Caroline's body, wondering what exactly was he planning next.
"You Mikaelson's are beyond confusing," she admitted. The hand that grasped her waist was firm and steady, just like the man himself. His other hand, wrapped around hers, gave a gentle squeeze.
"How do you make that judgment?" he asked, his eyes curious.
She shrugged, her feet following the rhythm of the music with precise accuracy. "You have so many sides to you that you don't show anyone, but they're there. They just come out at the most random times. It's…confusing, to say the least."
He didn't reply at first, his eyes trailing to something above her head. Caroline wanted to crane her neck to see just whom he was looking at when he spoke, "When you've lived on the run from a great enemy as long as we have Caroline, you tend to forget those sides of you. But sometimes, all it takes is one person to help remind us of all those layers, even if we have to peel them one by one."
She couldn't form a proper reply, and ended up blurting out, "You make yourself sound like an onion, you know?"
He laughed, pulling away and twirling her in a circle, bringing her back even closer than before. His body was pressed against hers, making her flush once again. Suddenly, he titled his head, burying it into the crook of her neck.
Caroline gasped, completely prepared to knock him back, when his voice, the faintest of whispers, spoke, "Esther is watching. Keep up a show for her, and come to me when she approaches you tonight."
Caroline gulped, but kept up a smile for the crowd. She whispered back, not even daring to move her lips, "How do you know she'll come to me?"
His breath was hot in her ear. "She will, I can assure you. Now, I think it's time we separate before Niklaus decides to dagger me."
They pulled apart, nodding politely to one another.
Elijah bent forward, giving her a quick peck on the cheek before disappearing back into the crowd to entertain more guests.
The moment Caroline turned, she was met with eyes of fury. Not directed at her though, but at Elijah's back. She shook her head, rolling her eyes at his childish behavior.
"Did you seriously watch us dance the whole time?" she said, crossing her arms.
Klaus met her eyes, and she was surprised at how drastically they softened. "Forgive me, love, I just don't enjoy it when my brother mocks me so."
Caroline didn't reply, wondering if she should tell him of Elijah's plan. She thought better of it and decided to keep quiet, putting up a strained smile, hoping to give Esther a good show as Elijah instructed.
"I believe you promised me a dance," said Klaus, grinning.
"I never did," she replied.
His grin never waved, and he stepped forward, so close she could feel his breath fan across her cheek. "Would you, Caroline Forbes, grace me with a dance?"
Maybe it was the champagne, or the sensual music, but Caroline's head grew fuzzy, her legs tingling. It wasn't just Klaus's words, but how they dripped like sweet honey out of his mouth, trapping her in place. He was the spider, and she, the helpless fly that found herself caught in his web. There was something familiar in the way they played the cat and mouse game, but she couldn't put her finger on it exactly.
Caroline felt herself nod, and reached a hand out, gulping when Klaus held her fingers with the same tenderness he demonstrated yesterday. She leisurely backed up towards the center of the dance floor, Klaus following forward as if the dance had already begun. His eyes never left hers, and her head exploded into heat.
He pulled her into him, and it felt strange when compared to Elijah. More intimate, the air crackling with a sharp intensity Caroline had never experienced before.
"Everything alright, love?" he said, resting his cheek against the side of her head. His voice, normally gruff and low with a clear intent at intimidation, was as serene as the music that enveloped the two.
Caroline gulped, ignoring the sensation that coursed through her and instead focused on Elijah's plan, making sure to keep an eye out for Esther. "Yeah," she replied. "Just wondering where my friends are."
"Oh, they've been making sure I don't kill you," he chuckled, shaking his head at the very notion. "Elena and Damon, though dancing, make sure to check if we snuck out somewhere, where I would proceed to end your life I presume. Bonnie as well, might I add."
"That sounds like them." Caroline couldn't help but laugh along with him.
"Though Kol is certainly doing an excellent job of keeping her annoyance on him, rather than me."
"I forgot he invited her," she mumbled, raising a brow. "Bonnie agreed to be his date though? She didn't tell me that."
"I wouldn't say agreed," Klaus replied. He twirled her in a slow circle before gracefully bringing her back into his arms.
"What would you say then?" Caroline cleared her throat.
His grin was full of mischief. "I'd say she came, and was pestered enough to give Kol just one dance. Speaking of the little witch, she's looking this way as we speak."
Caroline whipped her head around, catching Bonnie's concerned stare from across the room. She quickly assured her friend with a smile, which was unsurely returned.
Kol Mikaelson twisted Bonnie around, diverting her attention elsewhere.
Caroline glared fiercely; annoyed at the smug wink he sent her way.
Klaus noticed the entire exchange, something close to a growl humming at the back of his throat. "If I'm being completely honest, sometimes I wish we kept Kol daggered."
She scoffed. "Most siblings just argue when they annoy each other, not dagger each other for hundreds of years."
"I'd let him out within ten years actually," he said wryly, a strange emotion shimmering in his eyes when she laughed, almost like satisfaction.
A voice cleared their throat from behind Caroline's shoulder, Klaus glaring at the interruption.
Caroline turned, surprised to see Damon standing before her with the sly smirk that usually accompanied his pale face. His eyes, made of ice, were cunning, a clear motive in his mind for approaching her. She couldn't help but glare as well.
"What'd you want?" she said curtly.
Damon feigned being hurt, a hand resting against his chest. "Your hostility wounds me Blondie. Actually, I came to ask you for a dance, if it's alright with your crazy-murderous-boyfriend here?"
Klaus didn't return Damon's smile.
"You're one to talk about being murderous," Caroline scoffed. For a moment, hurt rushed across his eyes and, if she was guessing correctly, guilt.
Klaus seemed entertained by the entire exchange, smirking at the blonde in his arms.
Damon cleared his throat once more, as if to clear the tension that was suddenly suffocating him. "It was Elena's idea so…"
The 'please' that he didn't voice was clearly implied and Caroline, despite her better judgment, nodded. Turning back to her prior dance partner, she noticed the malevolence that radiated like wildfire off of him, its palpable hands clenching themselves around her neck and, suddenly, it was Caroline that needed to clear her throat.
"I'll be back," she assured him, though she wondered why it was necessary.
Klaus's eyes fell on her and, just as before, relaxed. "Alright," he said. "I'll see how the rest of the guests are doing."
Caroline wondered when had she become such an influence on his raging and unpredictable emotions as he walked away. How could such a young vampire such as herself sway a hybrid as powerful as Klaus?
Interrupting her thoughts, Damon slipped a hand through hers, twisting her until she fell stylishly into him, the two falling in sync with the music. His gentleness caught her off-guard, as if she were fine glass that would shatter at the first tremor. Rather than be touched, she felt her suspicions rise though.
"What're you doing asking me to dance, huh?" Caroline sneered.
Damon didn't answer at first, only adding gas to the already lit fire in her veins. The next words to slip through his mouth left her momentarily stunned. "I was worried," he said, unable to meet her eyes.
"Worried?" she snorted. "Yeah, right. You said Elena made you ask me to dance."
"That doesn't mean I disagreed with her idea."
"So what're you saying? You suddenly care about me now?"
Damon finally met her stare. "I'm saying," he began, "that I've been doing better and I want to be better. And that includes making amends with past mistakes…like you."
She didn't answer.
"I hurt you," he continued. "In the worst way anyone could be hurt, and I can't make you forgive me, but the least I can do, is make sure you don't get yourself hurt."
Her temper flared, unable to believe his words. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means," he sighed, "the Mikaelson's seem to want something from you, more specifically, Mother Original over there by the stairs, and none of us are going to let that happen."
"Who's 'us'?" Caroline couldn't help but ask, a long-haunted bitterness settling within her chest.
"The usual group." A smirk adored his face once more. "And, surprisingly, Elijah."
Caroline gulped. "He came to you guys too?"
"Why do you think we're even here? For the food?" Damon raised a brow. "And what'd you mean 'too'? Elijah approached you the other day?"
She bit her lip unsurely. "It seems he came to all of us for help."
Damon's eyes roamed throughout the room, as if everyone had suddenly become their enemy. "So, either their mother is even crazier than we anticipated, or Elijah has some hidden agenda."
"Okay," Caroline sighed. "Let's ignore the fact that I find your reason for wanting to help keep me safe complete bullshit, and find out just exactly what Esther is planning."
"And how do you propose to do that, huh?"
"By asking her."
There was a pause, as if Damon was waiting for the punch line of a joke. When none came, he glared, his hold on her hand tightening, almost painfully. "Are you insane? You can't just ask a villain what they're planning."
"She needs something from me," Caroline reasoned. "And whatever she's planning, I'm clearly involved in some way. So the quickest way to figure it out is to face her head-on."
"You're going to get yourself killed," Damon hissed. "The exact opposite of what I'm trying to do here."
"And what're you trying to do exactly?" Anger began to boil over, spilling out through her mouth in words. "The last time I checked, we weren't friends. In fact, the only reason I have tolerated you for as long as I have is because of Elena. If she didn't care about you as much as she did, believe me, I'd have probably killed you by now." She took a breath, removing her hands from his, the music still playing, though the two stopped moving. "You manipulated and hurt me Damon, and I can never forgive you for that. So don't you dare act like the hero, because you will always be the bad guy."
He didn't reply, one hand still on her waist weakly, the other hanging limp by his side.
For the second time that night, Caroline saw something in Damon's eyes that beckoned her to give him a chance at redemption, just as Elena and Bonnie had…but she wasn't either of them. She didn't believe Damon deserved redemption until he proved himself capable of changing.
Caroline didn't wait for a response from him, and instead headed towards the stairs, where he said Esther had been standing. Sure enough, the beautiful Original witch stood like a queen at the top where the twin stairs met. They passed a look, Esther exiting out the door behind her.
Caroline bit her lip, feeling Damon's words like a heavy weight on her chest. What if he was right, and she was heading straight towards her demise? She shook her head, ignoring her thoughts. Lifting up her long dress, she began her path up the stairs.
"You never realize it Caroline," he almost purred, "but your greatest weapon is your words, and their ability to pierce through anyone you meet. Even strangers find themselves captivated by you, love."
I'm sure you're all wondering just where this story is going, haha, but don't worry, at this point I'm done introducing the main characters that will be heavily involved in this story. I hope you guys don't find Damon to OOC in this. I just never liked on the show his and Caroline's issues with each other were never really resolved so I hope to do this here.
Next up: Caroline and Esther finally talk about what her plan is and why she needs Caroline!