Hi guys!

So I finally finished the chapter! Sorry this took so long.

Because I wanted this chapter to be posted ASAP, it is unedited. If you see any mistakes, feel free to tell me in comments.

Oh and one more A/N:

I recently posted another Kalijah fic and a Kalijah one shot. If you haven't read it yet, you are welcome to my profile page.

I will stop now xD Have a good read :)

Chapter 10

Cliffhanger

Katherine woke up feeling really good. Better than she felt in a long time. She missed being vampire. These last few weeks reminded her just how much she loved being strong, independent. Being able to fight her own battles. Not to mention not feeling all the pain and exhaustion. She was eager to get herself and Nadia far away from here, so they could both start fresh, in a safe place.

Since Katherine realized Nadia was currently out of the room, she decided to take a long, well deserved bath. Finally enjoy herself instead of constantly worrying.

She walked in to adjoining bathroom. She turned on the hot water and added some essential oils that she found next to bathtub. It took only few minutes for the bathtub to be full and for the mirror to get streamed.

After taking off all of her clothes, Katherine lowered herself into the water, sighting at the pleasure that the water gave her. It was very satisfying.

Katherine let her whole body relax, causing her mind to drift away.

She thought about Nadia and how awful her life was, while she spend all the time searching for the mother, she thought abandoned her. 500 years of anger, regret and hurt. Katherine became vampire because she had to, it was the only way to survive, to escape Klaus. Nadia became a vampire voluntarily, with a sense of revenge, yet she ended up being better person than Katherine was. She was more open to love, hopeful but still strong and invincible. Katherine had no part in her daughter's life and her upbringing, yet she still felt a sense motherly of pride.

Katherine usually didn't let herself dwell on the past. There is no point in regret, wishing things would have gone differently. It won't change anything. But in this little moment, she thought what would her life look like, if she had a chance to see Nadia grow up. To be with her every step of the way. To have people in her life that would care for her and be there when she needed it. What if she had someone like Caroline and Stefan all these centuries ago. Elena didn't deserve them – they sacrificed so much for her and she never appreciated them the way they deserved. What if she had friends like them, would her life turned out differently? Would she be happy?

No. She shouldn't think like that. That wouldn't make any difference now.

She dove under water, hiding her whole body under the surface. Hoping the water will wash over her thoughts. – With no success.

Her mind was acting against her wishes. Thinking of things and people she wanted to put behind her.

Thinking of her moments with him.

Elijah.

They were happy. For few moments that they spent together last spring, they were happy. Before she gave him the cure and before Elena screwed with his head.

It was one of few moments in her long, fucked up life, when she had a little hope that she could turn her life around.

When they spent their evenings – really long and pleasurable evenings - in bed together and mornings eating breakfast together.

Katherine loved that little bubble they lived in. Everything seemed better then. She allowed herself to hope for change. To enjoy every single minute she and Elijah had. As they work together towards finding they cure, her hope of freedom from Klaus rose. So did her hope for a relationship with the only man she ever truly loved.

Now she knew, how stupid she was then. How deluded her hopes were. She should have known better than to think she and Elijah could make Klaus 'pardon' her and let them be happy. He was vengeful psychopath that wanted everyone to be as miserable as he was. He hated everyone, especially her. He would never allow her to know a moment of peace, not to mention be happy.

"Katherine" she was brought to reality by Nadia's voice.

She got up from the water and took a towel to cover her body. "What is it, Nadia?" She asked while she dried her body with the towel.

"Rebekah told me Klaus wants all of us downstairs, so we can further talk about your discovery." Nadia informed her.

Great. This was exactly what she needed as a reminder of bad situation that she and Nadia were in. Moments ago she reminisced her good times and now the idea of meeting with Klaus has brought her back to harsh reality.

"I'll be right there." She sighed. "I just need to get dressed first."

Being in one room with Klaus made her nervous. She wanted to leave NOLA as soon as it was possible.

Caroline entered the room they were all suppose to gather in. She thought everyone will already be there but she was wrong.

The only one there was no other than Klaus.

"Hello love." He greeted her with his full-of-content smirk.

"Hi." She responded trying to sound as confident as possible.

After she got to her room yesterday she began doubting her decision to kiss him.

It wasn't as she didn't like the kiss, or the person she kissed, but she thought maybe it was too soon. Maybe she should have spent more time with Klaus. She broke up with Tyler not too long ago. She didn't want to rush into anything new.

She was so confused right now.

Caroline wanted to be alone for some time. Discover the world - and herself - now that she was a vampire and in addition single one. She wandered if what Klaus said to her on graduation night was true. Will he wait for her to make a decision or was it just temporary thing?

She approached the sofa that was placed in front of Klaus and took a sit.

They looked at each other in silence before he spoke first.

"How did you sleep?"

Was it possible for his smirk to be even more cocky?

"Well enough." Was it her or was this conversation becoming awkward? "I love the room though. You have a really nice home here."

Caroline was hoping to distract him from talking about what happened yesterday. She wasn't ready for explanation.

"Have you found the blood bags to feed?"

She was right. That conversation was definitely awkward and uncomfortable.

"Yes, Rebekah showed me where they were." Caroline sighed. "I don't like feeding on humans."

"One day you will have to."

"But I don't want to, when it's unnecessary." Caroline accepted the fact that she was a vampire but she had her rules and she wasn't going to break them because everyone else did. She was going to live by her own conscience.

"I am not saying to do it constantly or to kill them while you're at it but you also can't starve yourself. If you do, you become vulnerable and it will be easier for someone to hurt you."

"I am not as weak as you think..." Caroline wanted to explain to Klaus she is capable enough to protect herself but she was interrupted by Elijah entering the room.

"Good morning Miss Forbes." He greeted her with kind smile.

"Hello Elijah."

With his arrival conversation between Caroline and Klaus was finished. At least for now.

Caroline was grateful and relieved that she had more time to figure things out.

When Katherine came into the room, everyone was already there, probably waiting for her and Nadia to show up.

I was not exactly like she needed to be here for this. She already told them everything she knew and she was not going to be a lot of help.

She wasn't going to stay long enough to help them with saving Klaus - she wanted him dead – it was better for her that way, since he was so adamant on getting his revenge - but since she could not have them be suspicious about her behavior, she showed up. She came to the meeting just like everyone else and she was going to fake her involvement in their plan, as she did so many times before.

When Nadia sad down on the sofa, Katherine took the free spot next to her.

"So what are we waiting for?" She said mockingly. Being here in this room, was the last thing she wanted. Everything was better than this. She could even hear Elena whine about her miserable life if it meant being somewhere else, far away from Klaus and his vile temper. Klaus was unstable, there was no doubt about it. Every minute she spend here, she was risking Nadia and her's safety. "Isn't the time of the essence here. With this threat on all our lives and all?"

Katherine saw the irritation on Klaus' face. Maybe it was bad move to mock him. But she was Katherine Pierce after all. She has never shown any weakness.

"We were waiting for your lazy ass, your royal highness." Rebekah's sarcasm saved Katherine from Klaus' reaction. Whatever it would be.

"I am here. So we can start." She saw Caroline rolling her eyes as a reaction to her words. The blonde was growing on her more and more. Being away from Elena and Mystic Falls gave her the freedom she needed to be her real self.

"Can we be serious and proceed to the heart of the matter?" Elijah's voice spread across the room, silencing everyone.

He was the only one in the room standing. The rest of them sat taking all the space on the furniture, forming more less of a circle. But Elijah held himself in the back of the room, assessing the situation, wanting to keep an eye on every person in the room. He was hoping to avoid any kind of conflict that could present itself during this meeting. Having Klaus, Rebekah and Katherine in one room was a dangerous mixture.

Keeping in mind what recently happened to Katherine, Elijah didn't want anyone to get hurt. He was there to protect his family, but also to protect her and Nadia. He failed many times before. This time failure was not an option.

He directed his words toward the woman that Katherine had brought here.

"What can you tell us, miss..." Elijah realised, he didn't even know the name of the girl that was residing in his – their – house.

Though Elijah didn't fully trust the girl. She seemed honest and Rebekah told him, she didn't find anything suspicious about her.

"Anja Podgórska. But just Anja is fine." She responded modestly.

"Very well, Anja, could you tell us everything you know about this banshee."

Everyone looked over at Anja making her a little uncomfortable, with all this attention focused just on her. In that moment she was back in school, in the middle of the classroom, trying to answer teacher's question. She knew what to say but spirits made it impossible for her to focus. But that was long time ago. And at least here, she didn't have to hide her true nature, the way she really was.

"Of course. But I have to warn you that everything I know is from the stories I've heard. Banshees are rare creatures. I haven't heard of their emergence for couple of centuries. Banshee's are said to be intangible. Because of that some of the things that have been said about them can be false or misleading."

As an answer to her words, Rebekah encouraged Anja to tell everything she knows. "All information you tell us, even a detail, could be helpful. And we will sort through it later if it is necessary."

Anja decided, she will feel more comfortable when she will tell the story looking towards Rebekah and Caroline, that sat next to each other. This way she will not get nervous by the presence of all this powerful vampires in one room.

"As some of you may know banshees - also called by some 'wailing women' – are harbingers or bearers of death. It is popular knowledge that they are mythological spirits, that are send from The Underworld to bring souls from Earth to the Kingdom of Death… They are associated with Irish culture and are – from what I have heard, falsely – believed to descend solely from Irish territories. The Irish legends go back to XIV century and are the most commonly known nowadays. I think that is where misunderstanding comes from. Real banshees – as they are now known – have always existed and had many different names."

"That is what we all know. Tell us something that we can't find by using internet." Klaus interrupted Anja's story.

"Nik, you don't have to be rude." Rebekah defended Anja. "I am sure Anja will tell us that as well." She smiled at her new friend.

"So… As I was saying there are many misunderstandings when it comes to banshee's characteristics. Banshee being bearer of death is the truth but it has nothing to do with humans. Banshee's are guards of supernatural world - and despite the fact that they can be seen or heard by some humans, they are not any harm to them. They are solely messengers of death to supernatural beings." Anja paused to take a deeper breath and relax.

"But they are also much more than that. As I said they act as guards. Which mean they protect the natural order, as do witches, but unlike them they are not Earth creatures. Banshees were never born, they – like angels – are eternal beings, so they are not Earth bound. That means they have to be summoned or sent to crossover."

This time – as Anja was telling the vampires what she knows – she was not disturbed. They were listening to her carefully, everyone, even Klaus.

"If what Katherine heard is correct, then you are in very serious situation here. Because as much as banshees are responsible for the balance, no one has heard of them appearing on Earth since 1800s. It is told that after so many supernatural creatures were destroyed or banished, banshees became very lazy and greedy and did not bothered to appear on Earth, leaving supernatural creatures by themselves. If banshee is going to appear it probably being summoned and that means there are great powers behind it."

"What do you mean?" Caroline was first in asking what everyone else was thinking.

"Yeah, and why am I the one hearing about it?" Katherine got curious as well. From the beginning she was wondering, why she was the one receiving this message in the first place.

Anja faced Katherine.

"I have no idea why you were the one who learned about it. Maybe you will take some part in it or maybe it was just coincidence. The Underworld was trying to find a way to contact the living and since the link between the worlds is very unstable maybe you were the first chance to pass the message."

Katherine wasn't happy with this answer. She hoped it was the second part that was true. She wanted to have nothing to do with all this Banshee/Klaus scuffle. She couldn't wait to be as far from it as humanly – or rather vampirely – possible.

"Ughm…" they heard Klaus grunting impatiently. "Can we get back to the reason why this banshee thing is after me?"

"Probably because you are the devil." Katherine scoffed.

"Katherine!" Caroline shouted at brunette. "We agreed…"

"Yeah, yeah… I forgot." Katherine tried to dismiss Caroline's remark. She knew she was playing with fire but it was hard to stop being herself, even in front of dangerous hybrid that could have killed her. Being nice – it just wasn't her.

"I wouldn't be so cocky, if I were you." Klaus smirked at Katherine. "I gave my blood to save you but if you cross me, I can't be responsible for my actions." The threat was hearable in his voice.

"Niklaus! Katerina! Could you all just stop acting like children!" Elijah reprimanded them. He was acting like their guardian and peacekeeper.

"This is my house, Katherine is residing in. She should be careful."

"Grow up Niklaus, there is more important matter at hand than your dislike for Katerina." Cutting of his further complains, Elijah spoke to Anja. "Could you continue?"

"To answer your question." Anja looked towards Klaus. "I don't know why the banshee is specifically after you. It may be because you are now the most powerful creature on Earth. But it also may be because someone has personal agenda against you."

"That is nothing new." This time it was Rebekah's words that mocked Klaus.

"How will it appear on Earth? And how do we stop it?" Caroline wondered.

"For banshee to be summoned someone has to possess a great power. That would mean they would have to have a witch. Very powerful one. From old and powerful bloodline. She also should have ability to draw the power from all her ancestors – living and dead. There are also three other conditions that have to be met. – At least this is the number I know of.

The other ones are more complicated. First one states that for banshee to be called from Earth there needs to be a sacrifice. Most legends says that it has to be supernatural sacrifice and a willing one for that matter. This means whoever wants to call upon Banshee, has to have a powerful supernatural that wants to give up his or hers life for banshee to transcendent to Earth.

Second thing – which can not necessarily be true – is that they are intangible creatures. That means, that in order to appear on Earth, they have to take human form or posses a human – that is not specifically said. There are few mentions of a few chosen families that are bound to banshees. One theory is that they can be used as a door for banshees to crossover. Some say they are old Irish families but other say there are families from northern territories living in mountains. Either way someone like that will be hard to find. We will never know who that is, so it will be hard to stop them. "

"What is the last thing?"Rebekah asked.

"The last one is the most vague one." Anja responded. "It says that no matter what the balance has to be kept. It was interpreted as - in order for supernatural like Klaus to die, a new supernatural being has to be created to live after your death."

Anja faced Klaus.

"You already made the whole line of vampires and hybrids. They are technically dead, but nevertheless they are supernaturals, created by your blood."

She looked around to see Klaus', Elijah's and Rebekah's concerned face expressions. They looked like their brains went into overdrive.

"Well I guess this last thing with giving new life really makes least sense..." She was disturbed by Rebekah.

"Nik do you think…"

"I cannot be possible…" Elijah answered for him when Klaus stayed silent for a while.

The other were confused by Originals behavior.

"Oh, this should be good." Katherine stated, as en evil smile appeared on her face. She couldn't help herself, when she remembered what was Rebekah talking about. With all this cure's side effects, she was so focused on finding out a way to save herself, she totally forgot about the reason Klaus left Mystic Falls in the first place. After all she was the one that discovered this little secret first. She was the one who knew about wolf girl's state earlier than anyone.

"What is going on?" Caroline felt disoriented. Apparently everyone else knew something she wasn't aware of. She hated being kept in the dark. "Seriously, what is it about?"

Caroline wanted an answer but others were avoiding her sight. Klaus was definitely uncomfortable and Rebekah looked at her with… pity?

"I shouldn't be the one to tell that." She finally said when Caroline wouldn't stop staring at her.

When Klaus was still silent, Katherine decided to save Caroline the misery and tell her herself. "You see some time ago Klaus was a little busy and now he got himself a baby."

"Shut up Katherine or I will make you!" He shouted as he got up from his chair. He jumped at her but she managed to escape him.

"You didn't tell her yourself, so someone else needs to. Or maybe you thought you can hide it from her forever."

"What do you mean, Katherine?" She heard Caroline's voice. "How is it possible?"

"I will explain everything later, love."

"No! Why don't someone explain it to me now!" She demanded but Klaus was still trying to prevent Katherine from telling Caroline the truth. He would have found a way to tell Caroline gently, without unnecessary details.

"Klaus slept with your favorite person in the world – Hayley – and knocked her up. Now she is having his bastard." Katherine blurred out quickly so Klaus wouldn't stop her.

"You are going to regret it." He threatened Katherine.

"Was that necessary, Katerina? I thought you changed." She heard Elijah's disappointed voice. But it no longer mattered to her. He will always see the worst in her no matter how hard she tried.

"Caroline needed to know the truth and not just the version of your brother's truth." She explained to him. She didn't feel guilty. After all Caroline didn't need to be manipulated by Klaus' sweet words.

When Katherine looked at Caroline she seemed lost and confused.

"I need to…" Caroline didn't know what to think. She needed some air. Some time to think. She stood up and left the room, not caring about the voices that she left behind.

"Caroline!" Klaus wanted to explain everything to her. The things were finally getting better between them. She was starting to trust him.

He speeded to follow her but to his surprise he was stopped. By no one other than Katherine.

"Leave her alone." She ordered him. Blocking his way, not letting him leave the residence.

"I will not be ordered by anyone, especially not you. You have done enough!" He yelled at her and shoved her body aside throwing her at the wall.

Nadia was fast beside her making sure she is ok. Elijah stepped in between them trying to stop his brother, from whatever he was trying to do next.

"It is all your fault!" Klaus passed beside Elijah, closing his distance between him and Katherine. He was angry with her. He was beyond furious. She was always the reason of his failures. Hounding him like a shadow, trying to ruin him for all the years, even while she was on the run from him.

"How is it my fault?" Katherine launched back at him. "It wasn't me, who was sticking my dick into every trash that was available. Everyone knew Caroline disliked the wolf slut but apparently your thinking was clouded then!"

Katherine felt sorry for Caroline. She started to like the young vampire. The girl definitely has potential to be great. But unfortunately she - as Katherine so long ago did herself – had to became involved with Mikaelsons.

"I should have let you die." Klaus was in front of her in a second. Pining her against the wall, chocking her with his hand, holding her neck very tightly. Squashing her throat.

Elijah and Nadia tried their best to tore him away from her. But they failed. Klaus' rage was to strong.

"Oh, right." Katherine was barely able to speak. "Kill me… before I state the truth… about you." She was gagging with her own blood and saliva. "God forbid… I hurt… your… ego."

"Niklaus stop it right now!" Elijah was trying to reason with his brother. But it didn't help.

Nadia threw a nearest chair she could find at him. Trying to make Klaus release Katherine.

Klaus was faster though. He managed to escape still holding Katherine. Showing her body against another wall. She couldn't speak anymore.

Klaus took his hand and shoved it into Katherine's chest, scraping against her heart.

"I will make sure this time you really die." He said to her as he tore her heart away.

Katherine lifeless body fell onto the ground.

"Noooo!" There was a dreadful scream that filled the room. It came from Nadia's throat.

"Katherine!" She reached her mother's body and held it in her arms. Tears escaped her eyes when she realized, what was done to her. She lost her mother. They were both so close to having their lives together, living in piece. And now? Now she was gone.

The anger cumulated inside her. Her fury rose within her. She had to do something about it.

Without further thinking Nadia attacked Klaus with all her force. She didn't care he will kill her too. She just wanted to make him pay for it.

It took him only a second to pin her to the floor reaching for her heart, as he did with Katherine.

Elijah jumped to save her. This time Rebekah came to help him. With their two strengths combined, they were able to free Nadia and barely hold Klaus from going for her once more.

Elijah was angry. Like he never was before. He grabbed Klaus and threw him away.

"You killed Katerina. If you kill her too," he pointed at Nadia "there will no longer be Always and Forever, Niklaus." Elijah looked at Klaus with a look full of regret and resentment. "No more family."

Klaus hesitated. He was going to attack Nadia again but he backed down. He must have seen something in Elijah's eyes that he has never seen before. "As you wish brother." He turned around ready to leave after Caroline. "When I get back here, you better all be gone." And with that words he was gone himself.

As Klaus left, Elijah turned towards Rebekah. He could barely utter the words. "Bekah…"

"Lijah… He went mad." She looked at his brother stunned. Shocked. She never thought Nik would go this far and kill Katherine in front of Elijah.

"Take miss Anja away from here. Some place safe and stay with her for now. We don't know what Niklaus will do." He ordered her.

"And you?"

"I will take Katerina's body and make sure Nadia is safe."

"Let's go" Rebekah said to Anja and they both exited the room, leaving Elijah and Nadia with Katherine's lifeless body.

Songs for this chapter:

Farewell To The Fairground by White Lies

Into the wild by Aura Dione

I will end this chapter on that...

As always thank you for reading, reviewing, following and favoriting this story. It means the world to me.

Remember, the more you review, the faster I write, so dont hesitate to comment :D

Gissbella De Salvatore, Ellavm18, imaginationismymuse, Bella-swan11 - thank you so much for reviewing. I am really glad you like my story so far. Hope you continue liking it. :)

Guest - We'll see what future brings to Nadia and Rebekah. It is not decided yet.

MyNeens - Thanks sweetie. But as I said, I am still debating about Rebekah's relationship with anyone. We will see what time brings. Maybe some threesome with Anja and Nadia (JK xD ). So happy you love the story.

TheRealPrincessTigerLily - Happy you love it. As for Kalijah, well I think, all in good time :D

jessnicole - thank you, I was nervous about it :)

See you next time Sweetie Pies!

Much Love.