Chapter 9
David had been half right at his guess at how Klaus would react. Klaus wasn't just angry though, he was furious. As soon as David's sentence had left his lips Klaus had lashed out with an angry growl and thrown him across the room in less than a second.
Klaus was now pacing back and forth in an attempt to calm himself to get more out of the hybrid, who was now bent on the floor coughing up blood.
"Miranda," Klaus snarled the name out, "you say?"
"Yes," he managed to choke out, "ever since the vampire visited you Miranda has been following her. I'm certain she was going to attack today but refrained when she saw you were with her."
Klaus knew he would have had to deal with some sort of disobedience from his growing army at some point; it was only a matter of time. For it to be so soon however, was a shock. He presumed the sired bond would have kept even the more confident subjects in check and stopped them from acting out on their own.
Clearly he had miscalculated.
Angered at his misjudgement, Klaus moved closer to the hurt hybrid and crouched down next to him, grinning when it had the desired effect of making him even more frightened.
"David," he began dangerously calm, "I find it rather interesting that you know of all this."
The injured hybrid gulped. He much preferred getting thrown across the room then seeing this calm façade to hide the fury that was surely still within.
"How is it that a fresh hybrid like yourself is able to detect her movements while I was otherwise unaware?"
Klaus analysed his reaction like a hawk before a worm. After a few short seconds he grinned at the revelation.
"I see…how unfortunate." He sighed and stood up languidly, "I should have seen this coming, really. I picked you two up near the Kansas border, correct?" He walked over to one of the many old wooden chairs and quickly broke a leg off, inspecting the newly made weapon.
Unperturbed by David's lack of answer he continued, "You were together at the time. Not unusual for werewolves who like to stick to their pack so I thought nothing of it." His eyes darkened as he went through the memory, "The girl came so willingly along with me, your affections for her made you follow I assume."
David started to get on his feet, preparing himself for what he knew would happen next. Klaus just watched his movements calmly, making him even more nervous.
"Please give me a chance to explain," he pleaded, "she told me what she was going to do. I then told you so –"
"So I would show her mercy." Klaus finished for him.
"Y-yes! The vampire is safe! I swear!" His panic rose when the malicious grin stayed on Klaus's face, "She is at home, Miranda hasn't been invited in! She will be fine until she leaves the house tomorrow!"
Klaus's manic smile disappeared from his face. "You have mistaken me for someone who shows mercy, then."
He took slow steps toward David.
"That was a mistake."
Another step.
"One you won't be able to make again."
He expertly flipped the stake round in his hands.
"Don't fret though; I'll make sure you have a much less painful death then your impulsive partner."
The young hybrid didn't even have enough time to cry out before everything turned black.
Klaus ignored the commotion the witches were causing with their harsh whispers and chaotic movement of the flames from the everlasting candles.
"Bloody witches," He muttered, knowing full well they would hear him, "annoying even in death."
The whispers increased and Klaus watched amused when the flames went out altogether, leaving the room in darkness. Just when he was about to taunt the witches about his perfect night vision he heard the arrival of the pair of hybrids he had sent for.
"You called?" They stood by the staircase, waiting for orders.
"Perfect timing," Klaus began to wipe the blood of his hands, "my family has spent enough time in squalor. Move them to my more accommodating house."
If the hybrids were affected by the dead and bloodied body of a fellow comrade merely centimetres away, they didn't show it and went to do their duty obediently.
Klaus promptly left to ascertain Caroline's location was her own house and go through the most horrendous ways he would kill the defiant hybrid when she would make her move tomorrow.
Elijah decided that was the perfect time to move and finally get out of the dreadful coffin he had been in far too long. He had been slowly 'resurrecting' ever since the dagger had been removed and therefore had been able to catch parts of Damon's and Klaus's conversation, as well as listen to the more recent and violent exchange. He was curious as to whom this Caroline was and what connection she had to his brother for him to be concerned, almost displaying signs of worry, with her wellbeing in danger.
He lifted the lid up with ease and checked his surroundings. Two hybrids stood frozen in shock at the movement.
Elijah smiled politely.
The hybrids continued to stare owlishly.
Elijah shrugged and moved out of the coffin, adjusting his still clean suit and observed them with calculating eyes. Before one of the hybrids could run forwards he had their heart ripped out. He looked over to the other hybrid that was now backing up slowly.
"So my brother was successful in creating hybrids then." Elijah observed him casually, like he didn't have a vital organ still in his hand, "I'll admit I thought they would be more…impressive."
The hybrid grinded his teeth at the insult but was still rendered speechless at this bizarre situation.
Elijah spotted the remains of the dead hybrid his brother had killed only moments before. "I see Klaus still hasn't dealt with those anger issues. I truly pity any fool who ends up in his wrath."
The currently alive hybrid knew he would be no match for the older vampire and smartly chose to make an escape while the Original was in the middle of his monologue.
Knowing he could easily catch up, Elijah took his time and looked back at the other coffins. He was tempted to reunite with his family then and there after years of waiting. Niklaus was a mystery to him at the moment. He had been led to believe his brother had killed his family members, but instead he kept them with him always in coffins. He had questions for Niklaus and depending on his answers Elijah would wake their family with or without his consent.
Elijah allowed the pitiful creature on the run to get to the front doors before he sped in front of him and lifted him up by the neck.
"Now I need you to do as Klaus previously ordered and move the coffins." The hybrid looked greatly confused until he saw Elijah's eyes dilate, "I also want you to forget and ignore my very being here. You will make sure my coffin stays closed and away from any suspicion." He lowered the hybrid so his feet touched the ground. "I will be the one to let my brother know of my presence."
Elijah let go of the now compelled hybrid, satisfied when he went to carry out his duties almost robotically. Eager for some fresh air he delayed no longer and headed outside, stopping and appreciating the woodland nearby now bathed in moonlight while collecting his thoughts.
The plan had been to confront Klaus immediately after he was able to successfully move again and seek vengeance for his betrayal. Without the dagger Klaus would be unable to stop him, unless he wanted to deal with another of his family members.
However, Elijah's curiosity had been peaked by the many mentions of a vampire named Caroline and he had held himself back, knowing he would have the advantage of surprise on Niklaus no matter when he faced him.
To his knowledge it had been a very long time since his brother had been in love, or even showed interest in another. Forbidden memories of Tatia came rushing back but he quickly shoved them back, knowing it would be pointless to dwell on such a long solved matter.
Elijah would be lying to himself if he didn't say he wasn't just the least bit interested at this relationship that must have occurred when he was neutralised in the coffin. He would have to see for himself just what kind of character the girl was to earn his brother's affections. Perhaps even in the long run she would be a valuable asset to use against Klaus.
He spotted his reflection in one of the dirt covered windows and raked a hand through his slightly dishevelled hair.
"While I'm at it," he thought aloud, "I believe a new look is in order."
"You. You're the one who holds Klaus's attention?" The stranger was shaking with fury, "Why is it you? What's so special about you?"
Caroline was, to say the least, baffled at the situation she now found herself in. When she woke this morning her resolution had been to have as normal a day as possible in her now upturned and chaotic life.
Nicely enough, it had started fine. She woke up, glanced at the bracelet yet again and began to dress herself, then went to give her mum morning greetings.
That's when things began to mess up her attempt at normalisation.
Her mum had told her about her father and how he was currently in hospital. After reassuring her mother she was fine at this news she instantly rushed to check on him.
On her way she realised how ashamed she was of herself. Not only had she resorted to alcohol the day before, she then spent the rest of the night not thinking about her father and how things may have been going with trying to break the sire bond on Tyler, but instead of Klaus and the ring on her finger.
She had been making her way through the hospitals car park only to have a female appear and block her way, who then started spouting out some nonsense about how it was all her fault and she was nothing compared to her. Caroline had been fully prepared to show her just who she was messing with, when the strangers face began to transform into yellow eyes and a sharp set of fangs.
Hybrid.
Any sense of normality scattered into the wind.
Which is how she ended up in this situation; getting told off by some hybrid she didn't even know outside a hospital of all places. Caroline noticed the female was out of control because of her emotions boiling over. It brought back memories of when she had first been turned; she had been a neurotic emotional wreck. Luckily Stefan, when he still held onto his humanity, had been her caring tutor. He helped her with not only the bloodlust, but how to deal with all the horrible intensified emotions too.
Obviously this hybrid still wasn't able to keep those heightened feelings in check. She couldn't really imagine Klaus sitting down and having a nice chat with his hybrids about the changes they would be feeling after their transition and felt a small amount of pity for the stranger.
Not really knowing why, Caroline began to placate the hybrid instead of going in for the kill. She wasn't stupid enough to try and take on a hybrid without first trying to resolve it another way that wasn't violence.
"Look," she said soothingly, "I get that you're upset with me. But I've never even met you! Surely we can talk through…whatever this is…girl to girl talk, you know?"
The hybrid let out a dull laugh, flicking her far too perfect and straight jet-black hair, "Or I could just kill you and get you out of my way permanently."
Caroline took a deep breath, trying to reel her anger back in. She was never good with dealing with other girls that weren't Elena or Bonnie as the cat claws didn't take long to be unleashed before she was, sometimes literally, scratching some bitch's eyes out.
"What could I possibly be in the way of?" She gave the hybrid an incredulous stare.
"Don't act like you don't know!" Seeing Caroline's continued confusion she answered scathingly, "Klaus."
Caroline counted to five in her head, trying to absorb what the female was saying.
"Wait…You think I'm getting in the way of you and Klaus? Like, a romantic relationship?"
"Well done." She clapped slowly, mocking through body language and tone.
Keep calm, Caroline ordered herself, one bite of her werewolf teeth and your dead meat.
She mentally slapped herself when she was fondly remembering when Klaus had healed her, his arms holding her close.
"You… love Klaus? Seriously?" Caroline really couldn't get her brain to understand that; last time she had checked Klaus wasn't exactly caring towards his hybrids. "Even though he turned you against your will and then used the sire bond to make you his slave?"
The female's fangs grew longer, if that was even possible. "Silly girl, you know nothing. I wanted to serve Klaus out of my own freewill." Her green eyes narrowed, a complete opposite of Caroline's wide blue eyes, "If you had any sense you'd stick to that delectable blond haired human male and away from Klaus."
Caroline's anger, which was already at its peak, hit an all-time high. That this girl had been watching her and Matt made her feel sick and worried at the danger he could have been in.
Caroline decided it was now her time to flick her hair, "And if Klaus has any sense he will never even consider someone like your type." So much for keeping calm.
The hybrids reaction was instant as she attempted to go for Caroline's neck, but already seeing her predictable move Caroline was ready to counter and got in a fighting stance.
Before the hybrid could even get close though, in a blurring speed that even Caroline's eyes couldn't keep up with, the female had been pushed into the hospital buildings back wall creating a permanent dent. In her place now was the person she had come all too familiar with recently, piercing the injured stranger with a dark scowl.
"I confess, I was watching right from the start." Klaus's gaze moved to Caroline and his features brightened considerably, "So tell me darling, since I have quite a lot of sense, what is my type?"
Taking in his cheeky smile and flirtatious tone, she really wished she would fall through the floor. Knowing this would never happen she gave an answer, figuring anything would be better than silence.
"Probably a murderous psychopath who also likes showing her family the world via coffins in the back of a van."
"Not quite," he smirked, "but if you come across such a female, be sure to send her my way would you dear?"
The shuffling of the female hybrid picking herself off the ground brought Caroline's, and also Klaus's, attention back to the situation at hand. Caroline was perplexed that Klaus's company could make her forget about outside events no matter how important.
"K-Klaus," the female shakily said.
Whatever she was going to say next was lost as Klaus pinned her down by the neck, the force cracking the concrete as though it was as soft as sand.
"Forgive me, I forgot all about you. It wouldn't be right of me to let you off pain free when your friend went through such agony."
The girls eyes widened in fear, "David?"
"He's the one that snitched you out, might want to be more careful who you date love."
Caroline stood rooted to the spot, seeing the situation in front of her but being unable to do anything – like she wasn't even there at all but instead watching through a TV screen. She was even more confused than before. Klaus had saved her…from one of his own hybrids?
"Now, should I break every bone in your body?" Klaus paused thoughtfully, "No that won't do at all. As a previous werewolf I'm sure you're used to that."
Tears welled up in the female's eyes as she whimpered out her pleas about how she did it for him and how she just wanted him to notice her.
Caroline should have taken that chance to leave then to go see her father and not get any more involved in the hybrid drama. She could even see the buildings back entrance just a few feet away. If Klaus was going to kill this girl, what did it have to do with her? It was one less hybrid for them all to deal with. She felt glued to the spot though, watching the hybrid that was now reduced to a pitiful state. She looked so young compared to when she had confronted Caroline, her once silky black hair now covered in blood from the wound on her head which was now leaving a trail of blood splattered across the ground.
Instead of leaving, Caroline's eyes flicked to Klaus's face, wondering what his reaction would be to an almost confession from the female.
She didn't like the sight, not at all. His eyes, which always seemed to have a barrier on them anyway, were now even more guarded. His jaw was clenched and the playful smirk he wore so frequently, that she told herself she hated, was nowhere to be seen.
"As I said before, Caroline." Klaus addressed her without looking away from the weeping hybrid, "Love is a weakness."
He then raised his arm, probably aiming for the heart, and she knew it was only a matter of seconds before he struck.
She then did one of the stupidest things in her short life so far, which was really saying something as she had a long list of stupid things she'd already done.
Caroline went to save the life of a complete stranger who was not only rude and bitchy, but would have gladly killed her if she got the chance.