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Disclaimer: I do not own the Vampire Diaries only Alba and Danny.
Chapter 11
The scariest thing about distance is you don't know whether they'll miss you or forget about you. –The Notebook
"We have been here for a week Anya! We are running out of time." Charles hisses pacing around the small group of witches in frustration. "Those Bennett's are close to breaking the spell. I can feel it."
"Charles calm down." Anya demands, "We have plenty of time. We almost have her where we need her."
"He's right, Anya." Another witch, Cecilia pipes up. "We've never gone against someone with this much will. She hasn't broken yet and so far the only thing we know is that her blood might be the key." Cecilia says earning agreement from the rest of the witches. They stand in a circle around Anya as she tries to put their worries at ease.
"Listen, she may not have broken yet, but she is cracking. Her wounds have ceased to heal on their own!" Anya yells walking around the circle to look each witch in the eye. "This is what we have been waiting for! Not only did we find the child, the one our ancestors have been speaking of, but we also found a way to get rid of vampires once and for all. Are we really going to pass that up?" Anya finishes throwing her arms out in emphasis.
"Anya," A young girl steps forward with light brown hair and dark hazel eyes. "If we do anymore to that girl she won't be making it out of here alive." This makes the group stop and think about their actions. "We all have sworn to protect the innocents and as much as I want answers, this is still wrong." Everyone in the group stops and watches as Anya chuckles lowly to herself before walking to the girl.
"Tell me something Meredith," Anya asks bending down to look the little witch in the eye. "What makes you think she's innocent?"
Klaus watches as his hybrid hauls the last coffin into the large room. Finally, after days of threats and empty negotiations he has his family back. But that doesn't ease his mind as Stefan has failed to release Alba from his grasps. He has to give it to the youngest Salvatore; he thought this plan out brilliantly, either way Stefan made sure Klaus would lose. However, what Stefan doesn't know is that Klaus will stop at nothing to get her back.
"You got your family back, finally. You going to open them?" The hybrid asks as he walks into the room with Klaus.
"Not quite yet." Klaus drawls placing his hands behind his back, "I still have some unfinished business to take care of."
"What business?" The hybrid asks as he suddenly spasms and falls to the floor revealing a very pissed off Elijah with a heart in his hand.
"So Niklaus…" Elijah says watching the shocked hybrid in hidden amusement as he takes a step back.
"Elijah?" Klaus breathes trying to understand what in the hell happened.
"You look surprised to see me. So it wasn't you that removed the dagger from my chest?" Elijah asks wiping his hands; ridding them of the hybrids blood.
"You look like you could do with a drink." Klaus smirks collecting himself as he continues, "And we have a lot to discuss, so shall we?" Klaus barely finishes his sentence before Elijah is attacking him. Elijah manages to get a good punch in before kicking Klaus in the stomach sending him flying through a set of glass doors.
"Easy! I just finished renovating." Klaus growls as he charges Elijah and body slams him onto the coffee table. "You know you have every right to be mad at me. But I kept my word, I reunited you with our family." Klaus smiles cheekily before Elijah punches him in the face. The two stumble into the coffin room where Klaus rips out one of his sibling's daggers to threaten Elijah with it. "Don't make me do this to you again Elijah!" Klaus screams holding the dagger over his brother's chest as he holds him down.
"Come on, use it. I dare you." Elijah snarls. "You'll just have Kol to deal with." This makes Klaus pause as he slowly lowers the dagger.
"Mikael is dead." Klaus whispers releasing Elijah.
"What did you say?" Elijah questions in shock.
"I killed him, with his own weapon. He's gone Elijah. Forever." Klaus speaks the truth only to anger Elijah again.
"Why do our family remain in these coffins? Finn for over 900 years, Kol for over a century!" Elijah snarls pointing to each coffin in fury.
"Because of Stefan Salvatore. He holds the one thing keeping me from freeing them. There are things that you do not know about our past, Elijah. Our mother's death. Things I never wanted you to know but I`m ready to tell you now." Klaus tells his brother before walking over to a little table in the center of the coffins. "I only ask that you remember the oath of loyalty you once swore to me." Klaus asks taking the lid off a small cup and sticking the dagger inside of it. He walks over to Kol with slow deliberate steps as Elijah asks a question.
"What are you doing?" He asks as Klaus daggers Kol once more.
"Always and forever. I need you to stand by my side. Be my brother. Help me destroy Stefan and I promise you our family will be whole again." Klaus swears as he shuts Kol's coffin with finality. This was the beginning of the end.
"Shouldn't she be up by now?" I hear a male voice ask somewhere in the room. I think his name is Charles or at least that's what I've collected from my short time in consciousness. I don't know how long I've been down here, but it feels like months.
"He's right, it's taking too long." A more feminine voice calls out. I don't know who that could be; I honestly don't know all of their names. I just know that when Stefan and Bonnie left me behind at least eight more witches came to take their place. It's been a party ever since.
"Will you two just relax!" Someone barks from somewhere close by. "We just sent 500 volts of electricity through her body, there's no way she'll be up anytime soon." Well that sounds like a challenge.
"Actually it felt more like a tickle than anything." I grin when all their heads snap to me in surprise. I find that there are three witches all together meaning the rest are out on errands. I have to say I'm relieved. It's the worst when they are all together.
"How can you possibly be up already?" The one that spoke earlier cries rushing over to me in rage. I just smirk as I finally register the position I'm in. It seems while I was passed out they moved me from the chair to the wall. I tug on the chains secured tightly around my wrists in thought.
"Hmm kinky," I chuckle which earns me a hard slap across the face. I don't bounce back as quickly this time as I strain to lift my head. I need food or blood…
"You are despicable." The woman growls shaking her head in disgust.
"Aw and here I thought I was cute as a button." I fake pout as I look at the other two in the room. The man is leaning against the wall looking more afraid than anything which has me curious. But then I see a girl a little older than Danny hidden away in one of the corners away from the action. Our eyes connect as she looks down ashamed. Hmm interesting…
"You think you are clever, don't you girl? Well, let me spell it out for you," she leans forward her eyes alight with self-righteousness as she looks down on me. "You may be some prophesied savior, but you are a disgrace as well. We are doing you a favor here. We are going to find out exactly how you benefit the world then we are going to put you out of your misery." She scowls sending a pang of sadness through me.
"Annie!" The young girl yells stepping forward out of the dark.
"Quiet Meredith!" Annie shouts never taking her eyes away from me. "And when we are done with you, we are going after those Originals you love so much." She hisses making me clench my jaw. "Then when all those creatures that plague the night are gone we are going to finish that sister of yours just out of spite." This is my undoing as I use the little speed I have left to vamp out and latch onto the witches' neck. I take several long pulls before Charles rips Annie from my grip and electrocutes me into submission. The last thing I see before the world fades to black is Charles holding an unconscious Annie as Meredith nods proudly at me.
"Slow down!" Abby yells as she and Bonnie try to keep up with Stefan. The three are walking through the tunnels under the old Lockwood cellar to get to the coffin.
"Keep up, we don't have much time." Stefan commands as he keeps up his fast pace.
"Sorry Stefan, but I didn't have a choice." Bonnie huffs dragging the bag of supplies they will need for the spell.
"It was a choice Bonnie, you made it and now we have to live with it. You told Klaus where the coffins were and he took them. All of them except this one." Stefan says backing up so Abby and Bonnie can enter the cave.
"That's the one that's sealed?" Abby asks the obvious as she walks around the coffin in question.
"Yep, fortunately it seems to be the one he cares about the most." Stefan speaks up leaning casually against the cave wall.
"This is a bad idea." Abby shakes her head as she examines the coffin further. She looks afraid as her thoughts run rapid.
"Look, if you're really the key to opening up that coffin, I think it's a pretty safe bet you're on Klaus's hit list. So I suggest you hideout here and figure out a way to open up the damn thing." Stefan threatens as he glares Abby down.
"I told you I don't have any powers." Abby tries to reason with the vampire.
"And I don't believe you; the time's ticking. Won't be long, before Klaus calls his hybrids to find that coffin and kill all of us. So dig deep, Abby Bennett. Scrape out whatever magic you have left." Stefan presses turning his back to leave.
"Stefan! Wait!" Bonnie yells racing after the fast departing vampire. "Stefan!" She yells once the two are a safe distance away from Abby's prying ears.
"What?" Stefan asks crossing his arms as he looks down at the witch.
"How is Alba? Is she okay?" Bonnie asks hopeful that nothing bad has happened. The Bennett witch hasn't been able to sleep since she left Alba behind.
"She's fine, Bonnie. Go worry about the coffin. That's your first priority." Stefan tells her never batting an eyelash, but something in his answer doesn't sit well with Bonnie.
"No, what is it? Something's wrong." Bonnie steps closer to Stefan to keep him from running off. She watches as Stefan opens his mouth, but she's quick to talk over him. "Do not lie to me Stefan. How. Is. She." Bonnie watches as Stefan sighs running a hand through his hair.
"I don't know."
"What do you mean you don't know!?" Bonnie screams in horror. How could he not know? "You said she would be okay!"
"I know what I said Bonnie, but I went to check on her a few days ago and they moved her. I don't know where she or the witches are." Stefan exhales a breath; a small amount of emotion playing across his face.
"A few days ago! Stefan when were you going to tell me! We need to get her back now!" Bonnie hisses already inching to move pass Stefan. "We need a plan."
"No!" Stefan growls blocking Bonnie's way, "If Klaus finds out we let Alba get taken for real. We have no more leverage besides that coffin and Alba is buying us time. We wait until you open the coffin." Stefan explains watching as Bonnie chews it over.
"Fine. But as soon as that coffin is open we go get her." Bonnie snaps going against everything she believes in. If only she knew then what she knows now.
"Alba, what's wrong?" Danny asks curling up against my chest. After we left the doctor's office I took us to our favorite place. Lookout point is beautiful at night with the lights from town twinkling beneath us and the stars shining over us. We come out here only on rare occasions because usually it's full of teenagers making out, but tonight it's just us.
"Nothing's wrong Danny, why would you ask?" I question hugging her tighter to my chest as we sit on the hood of my mustang. I'm doing my best to keep it together for Danny. I'm going to be strong for her through all of it.
"Alba," Danny whispers turning her face to look up at me. "I don't like it when you lie to me." I laugh to myself as I finally look down into her brown eyes. I never can sneak anything past Danny, she always knows. "What did the doctor say?" She asks instantly sobering my mood.
"Danny…"
"Alba tell it to me straight." She says with a strength in her voice I had no idea she possessed. I can't help the small smile that curls my lips as I think about how that's something I would say.
"Okay. The doctor said that you're sick, but with some treatments you could get better." I say quickly not letting her digest the bad part. "I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you alright Danny?"
"Why can't I just take some medicine? That's what we always did before." Danny asks confused making my heart clench in pain.
"I wish it was that simple this time baby girl, but it's not. You have something none of the other kids have and it's going to take a little longer for you to get better." I try to explain as best as I can. I watch her mull over my words as she finally sighs.
"Alright, but will it hurt Alba?" She asks potential tears threatening to well in her eyes. I quickly shake my head knowing for a fact I will take the pain for her every day if I have to. "You promise?" She asks as I kiss her forehead and hug her closer to me.
"I promise."
"Wake up you wench!" I'm awoken with a sharp slap across my face. I blink rapidly adjusting to the glow coming from the candles placed around the room. Night has nearly fallen meaning I've been out for quite some time.
"Wench? Really? What time period are we in?" I ask raising a questioning eyebrow that earns me a kick to the stomach. I groan when I hear a snap that could only be one of my ribs cracking.
"What did you do to her!?" Anya screams in my face making me shake my head.
"I have no idea what you are talking about." I smile cheekily as she yells in frustration. I watch her walk across the room to her happy corner to retrieve the switch blade she loves oh so much. Knives seem to be her thing. "Oh no not the knife," I sigh in a monotone voice as I yawn.
"Shut up!" Anya yells not bothering with the chit-chat as she stabs me straight in the thigh. I moan as the taste of copper fills my mouth.
"Oh good, you found a patch of skin you haven't tore up yet." I grit trying to hide my pain from her view. The sadistic bitch.
"Now you are going to tell me what you did to Annie or we are just going to kill you now." Anya leers twisting the blade in my thigh making me grimace.
"I. don't. know. What. You. Are. Talking. About." I enunciate each word to get my point across, but that doesn't seem to please Anya.
"Fine let me show you." She roars before turning to Charles. "Bring her in here now!" I watch Charles scamper off to do Anya's bidding leaving the two of us alone.
"That's a nice work horse you have there. What? You couldn't handle me on your own?" I ask smirking when she scowls. She doesn't get to answer as Charles shuffles into the room carrying a trembling Annie in his arms. Her white skin is pale, almost translucent as the veins beneath the skin can easily be identified. She's shivering and her lips are turning blue from the cold seeping off her body. She chilled the room at least forty degrees with her body, but that's not the worst part. The worst part is where I bit her. The wound hasn't healed, black blood drips down from the puncture marks in her neck. I've never seen anything like it before not even with a werewolf bite. I can actually see her veins going from a light blue to a dark black.
"Do you see what you have done? She is nearly dead and it is your fault." Anya growls coming to kneel next to Annie. I can't speak as I stare at the witch I attacked earlier. I've bitten people before but nothing like this has ever happened.
"Please Alba, how do we cure her?" Meredith, the one I actually like, speaks up. I find her sad eyes peering into my own and I can't help but think of Danny.
"I don't know. This has never happened before." I speak only to her as the rest listen.
"Liar!" Charles roars advancing towards me, but Meredith is quick to hold him back.
"Wait, she looks just as surprised as the rest of us. I believe her." Meredith tries to reason with them as she looks to me.
"Don't be a fool Meredith." Anya snaps making me narrow my eyes at her.
"The only fool I see here is you and let me tell you something Anya. I hope she dies." I smirk as Anya stands and faces me. She's wearing a matching smirk as well.
"Oh she won't be dying, because we are going to open you up and find out how to save her. That I can promise." She cackles as everyone in the room looks to me.
"Bring it on bitch."
Danny's POV
Caroline's house was small, but I liked it. I really liked her bedroom. It reminds me of the room I always thought I would have when I grew up. To be honest, Caroline is the person I always envisioned myself growing up to be. She's one of the people I've grown close to these past few months especially since Alba is always disappearing. Speaking of her, I need to call Damon. I easily find the phone next to Caroline's bed as I grab the sheet of paper Bonnie gave to me. It has everyone's phone numbers on it just in case I need them. I quickly dial Damon's number and wait as it rings. I know Alba doesn't like him especially since he's her father, but there's just something about him I can't help but trust.
"What?" He answers rudely into the phone. I take a deep breath before I squeak out a hello. "Danny? Is that you? Are you okay?" I hear the panic in his voice as I smile to myself.
"I'm fine Damon. I'm actually calling to see if you've heard from Alba? Bonnie said she had to leave for a few days to help some werewolves in the mountains, but I know Alba and she would have at least said good-bye first." I tell him as the itching feeling in my gut grows stronger the longer Damon stays silent. "Damon?"
"No, I haven't heard from her. I'm not her favorite person as you know." He chuckles nervously only confusing me further.
"Damon, I think something's seriously wrong. I don't know how, but I think Alba may be in trouble." I open up to the vampire hoping maybe he'll take pity on me and help me look for my sister.
"Danny…"
"Listen Damon, I know you don't necessarily like Alba, but she is your daughter. Even if that doesn't mean anything to you, it means something to me. So please, if she calls you or you hear anything back from her, will you let me know?" I plead as I listen to his even breaths on the other end.
"I promise I'll let you know Danny." It's the only thing I wanted to hear from him. I nod my head even though he can't see me.
"Thank you Damon. That means a lot to me. Good-bye." I hang up before he can say anything further, not that he would have. Damon is a man of few words I've come to realize. However, that conversation did little to stop the churning in my gut. I can feel my hands start to tremble as I start to think about all the horrible things that could have happened to her. Without meaning to I run my hand through my hair only to come back with strands of my hair. A whimper escapes my throat as I quickly dispose of it in the trash. I haven't told anyone, but it's been getting worse. The longer Alba's away the more pain I start to feel. It's weird, it's almost like when Alba's with me she absorbs all my pain and I'm just left tired. But now I'm tired and aching.
"Danny?" I hear Caroline's chipper voice call my name as I quickly collect myself. I wipe away any tears that may threaten to fall and I solider up. If Alba has taught me anything, it's to be strong and never show weakness.
Damon listens to the dial tone before reluctantly putting his phone away. He picks up the shirts he had been examining before Danny's call and looks them over. Even with this distraction he can't help but think about what Danny said to him. He knows she speaks the truth, something about this doesn't feel right.
"Get dressed. We're going out." Damon speaks up when he notices Stefan walk into the room.
"Yeah, sorry, not interested," Stefan states walking over to a pile of clothes he left on the table.
"I didn't ask. Elijah and I have scheduled a very old-fashioned sit down with you and Klaus. I say go with the black. Makes you look all villainy. "Damon mocks holding up the black jacket in his hands to go with Stefan's black button up.
"Klaus won't make a deal, Damon." Stefan points out the obvious as he moves about the room.
"He doesn't have to. All we're doing is buying a little time to give our wicked witches a chance to pop the top off the coffin." Damon states throwing the shirts down on the bed when Stefan makes it clear he isn't going to wear either of them.
"So that's your plan? Stall Klaus?" Stefan laughs mocking Damon's plan.
"If you didn't go postal on his hybrids, then maybe we'd have some options." Damon bites knowing for a fact Stefan's being a brat because of Damon's kiss with Elena.
"We do have options or have you forgotten Alba?" Stefan taunts crossing his arms.
"We are not negotiating Alba." Damon answers quickly his eyes hardening as they focus on Stefan.
"Well I thought you would risk anyone for Elena, Damon? Or has Alba managed to weasel her way into that cold dead heart of yours?" Stefan smirks when Damon's jaw clenches.
"This is about me kissing Elena, isn't it? Just remember, if it wasn't for Klaus, you would have never become such a dick and that kiss would never have happened. So get ready and get happy. We're going to negotiate a fake truce and I don't want your attitude screwing it up." Damon scowls shoulder checking Stefan as he stalks out of the room. He isn't ready to face the truth of Stefan's words just yet.
"Ahhhh!" I scream so hard and loud I think my lungs may give out. "Hmm," I groan letting my head fall limp as I try to breathe. It's hard around the six broken ribs and cracked chest bone. The bitches weren't kidding when they said they would rip me open. I feel like I'm on a fucking episode of supernatural.
"Well I think that was the loudest you've screamed thus far." Anya grins wickedly as she cleans blood off the sword she just used on me. Where in the hell did she find a freaking sword?
"It won't happen again," My voice cracks as I whisper the words I wish had come out stronger than they did. I peer down at my mangled body in agony. There's not an inch of skin not covered in blood or dirt. I can't feel a good portion of my left side and I'm pretty sure my right leg is broken.
"We'll see about that," Anya snickers as she comes over carrying a pistol. I look her straight in the eyes even when she pulls the trigger.
Klaus's Mansion
After an hour of idle chatter the four vampires have yet to discuss the real reason they called this meeting. Stefan would love nothing more than to leave and take Klaus's head with him while Damon makes secret eyes at Elijah who is fighting over loyalty issues. Klaus is just having fun enjoying everyone's discomfort.
"Stefan. Where is the lovely Elena tonight?" Elijah asks making the Salvatore brothers tense.
"I don't know. Ask Damon." Stefan smiles looking to Damon while Klaus busts out in laughter.
"I'm sorry, you've missed so much." Klaus directs towards Elijah who is staring at Klaus in curiosity. "Uh- trouble in paradise." This makes Elijah look at the two brothers in surprise as Stefan speaks up.
"One more word about Elena and this dinner is over." He glares as Klaus playfully locks his lips.
"You know what, probably best to keep Elena in the do not discuss pile." Damon plays peace maker as he keeps his cool along with Elijah.
"You're probably right." Klaus agrees nodding his head.
"Yeah,"Damon finishes hoping that would be the end of the discussion.
"It's just the allure of the Petrova doppelgänger, still so strong. What do you say, brother? Should we tell them about Tatia?" Klaus grins all too willing to stir up trouble.
"Now why should we discuss matters long since resolved?" Elijah asks setting his fork down and leaning back in his chair.
"Well, given their shared affection for both Elena and Katerina, I think our guests might be curious to learn about the originator of the Petrova line." Klaus says looking at the two brothers with a smile.
"Well, we're not going anywhere, Elijah. Please do tell." Damon smirks taking a sip from his wine glass.
"When our family first settled here, there was a girl named Tatia, she was an exquisite beauty. Every boy of age desired to be her suitor, even though she'd had a child by another man. And none loved her more than Niklaus." Elijah begins delving deep in his memory for the girl he first loved.
"I'd say there was someone who loved her at least as much." Klaus cuts in a secretive smirk turning up his lips.
"Wait a minute, so you both loved the same girl?" Stefan asks not believing the coincidence of it all.
"Our mother was a very powerful witch. She sought to end our feud over Tatia and so she took her. Klaus and I would later learn that it was Tatia's blood that we consumed in the wine on the night where our mother performed the spell which turned us into vampires. Tatia wouldn't make a decision between the two of us, so for a time Niklaus and I... grew estranged. Harsh words were traded; we even came to blows, didn't we, brother?" Elijah looks to Klaus as he nods.
"But in the end we realized the sacred bond of family." Klaus says holding up his glass.
"Family above all," Elijah smiles.
"Family above all," Klaus repeats as the pair clink glasses. They drink not seeing the shared look between Damon and Stefan.
"So, why don't we move this evening along and discuss the terms of the proposal?" Elijah suggests as Damon checks his phone only to receive a text from Bonnie.
"That's very simple. Klaus gets his coffin back, in exchange, he and the Original extended family leave Mystic Falls forever. Me, Stefan, and Elena live happily ever after. No grudges." Damon proposes before thinking something over in his head. "Oh and Klaus leaves Alba alone for the rest of her life."
"I'm sorry who is Alba?" Elijah asks looking from Damon to Klaus in confusion as the two have a stare off.
"Alba would be Damon's daughter and Klaus's new eye candy in town." Stefan pipes up smirking at the hybrid. "She is also under my possession until my terms can be met." This makes Elijah cast a shocked glance at Damon.
"How is that even possible?" Elijah asks his mind reeling from the bombshell Stefan just dropped. "I've never heard of such a thing."
"That's a story for another time." Stefan says, "We have more pressing matters." Elijah nods containing his curiosity for now as he thinks over their offer.
"The deal sounds fair, brother." Elijah finally speaks up as he looks to Klaus.
"I don't think you understand Elena's doppelgänger blood insures that I will always have more hybrids to fight those that oppose me. I will never leave her behind." Klaus reasons standing from his chair to pace the room. "Let's say I do leave her here, under your protection, what then? How long before one of you turns her into a vampire? Or worse, how long before she dies caught between your feuding? You see, each one of you truly believes that you're the one that can protect her, and that is simply a delusion. Gentlemen, the worst thing for Elena Gilbert is... the two of you." Klaus states smirking when he sees both brothers look down in thought. "And as for Alba, well I think she can determine what she wants for herself. We both know she's capable of making her own decisions."
"I'm going to get some air." Damon states suddenly standing from his chair and walking out of the room.
"Let me deal with this." Elijah nods following Damon.
"All this talk has made me thirsty." Klaus grins as a beautiful blonde walks into the room. "What do you say Stefan? Can I interest you in a little after dinner drink?" He asks before sinking his fangs into the girl's neck and drinking deeply. Stefan only watches in hidden anger as Klaus finishes dropping the girl's body to the ground. "Delicious, aged to perfection." He chuckles wiping the excess blood from his lips.
"Well, I guess the only reason you agreed to this evening Klaus, was to drive a wedge between me and my brother." Stefan smiles without humor as he stands from his chair.
"Oh no, you're doing that well enough on your own. Because of Elena, you're gonna lose your brother and you'll only have yourself to blame." Klaus taunts only making Stefan even more difficult to deal with. "Not to mention you kidnapped Alba and even if you have no feelings for the girl, you know your brother has become quite fond of her. Even if he can't admit it to himself, you can see it in his eyes." This sends a flicker of shame through Stefan as he realizes his mistake.
"What do you say, Klaus? It's time for you to put something on the table. We've made our offer, now you counter." Damon says walking into the room with Elijah.
"Okay. I offer Elena's future happiness. You see, what she needs right now is to be rid of you lot. And to fall in love with a human, maybe that nice football player, you know the blond one?" Klaus offers looking between the brothers.
"Matt Donovan? Really?" Damon scoffs crossing his arms.
"Yeah, why not? They'll marry, live a long and fruitful life, and pop out a perfect family." Klaus shrugs finding his plan perfect.
"And continue the Petrova bloodline. Every few hundred years, you'll have a new doppelgänger to drain and never run out of hybrids, right Klaus?" Stefan cuts in stating the obvious.
"Consider it a small return on my investment in her well-being. See after you hand me back the coffin, I'll ensure her safety for the rest of her natural life, and you know it's what's best for her." Klaus plays on Stefan's feelings as he continues. "And when Alba is returned we'll let her decide what she wants." He adds walking over to Stefan. "So, what do you say Stefan, do we have a deal?" Klaus asks holding out his hand. He waits until Stefan grabs his hand a feeling of triumph coursing through his veins.
"Nice try, Klaus. No deal." Stefan smirks not expecting Klaus to break his arm. Nor does he have time to react when Klaus snaps his leg making him bend at the knee as Klaus pushes his hand into the fire. Stefan screams out in pain as he starts to burn making Damon rush to his side, however, Elijah shoves Damon against the wall before he can reach Stefan.
"What are you doing?" Damon snaps fighting against Elijah's hold. "Stop!" Damon yells watching Stefan wither in pain.
"Now bring me my coffin and Alba before I burn him alive." Klaus growls no longer playing nice with the brothers.
"I'll get it." Damon agrees pushing Elijah aside as he exits the room.
"Go with him, brother, you keep him honest. And when you return, I will make good on my promise to you and I will hand over our family." Klaus promises earning a cautious look from Elijah before he disappears after Damon.
"Go ahead and kill me. I know you'll do it when he brings the coffin." Stefan grits around the excruciating pain in his hand. Klaus scoffs pulling Stefan's hand out of the fire.
"You really have given up, haven't you? Where's the fight? Where's the ripper?" Klaus asks shoving Stefan only to have Stefan shove him back with just as much force. The two are momentarily distracted when Elijah and Damon enter the room. "Elijah…why haven't you left yet?"
"Where are your manners, brother? We forgot dessert." Elijah tsks taking the cover off the tray one of the blond girl's is holding. He reveals two daggers making Klaus's eyes widen in shock.
"What have you done?" Klaus asks in evident surprise.
"What have you done? You see I've learned not to trust your vulgar promises, Klaus. We're doing this on my terms now." Elijah states harshly standing off to the side as a young man that looks like Elijah enters the room.
"Kol," Klaus says holding up his hands as he takes a step back.
"Long time, brother," Kol grins watching in amusement as Klaus tries to flee only to run into the oldest brother.
"Finn, Don't!" Klaus yells as Finn shoves one of the daggers through his hand. Klaus yells out in pain as he rushes from the room only to have Rebekah stand in his way.
"Rebekah," Klaus shakes his head as he backs away.
"This is for our mother," she hisses stabbing him in the stomach with a dagger. Damon and Stefan can only watch as Kol restrains Klaus from going anywhere.
"You're free to go," Elijah looks to them, "this is family business."
"Well I don't know about you, but I am having so much fun!" Anya cackles dropping the bloody sewing needle with her other tools. It's been four hours since she's started her torture and after hour two I stopped feeling everything all together.
"I'm having a blast," I mumble lulling my head to the side to see it's finally dark. Thank god, the night watch should be coming on soon.
"I'm glad," she sprawls her hand over her heart. "It's my goal to keep you comfortable." She laughs as Charles runs into the room in full blown panic.
"They did it! We've run out of time!" He bellows effectively ending Anya's good mood. I watch her face darken as she looks to me.
"That's impossible. They shouldn't have figured it out that quick." Anya hisses to herself as she starts to pace the room. "What about Annie?" I watch as Charles hangs his head in sadness.
"She's gotten worse; it will be a miracle if she makes it through the night." This makes Anya howl in rage as she comes to stand in front of me. Her face is twisted into an ugly mask of rage that is focused on me.
"Hmm what are we going to do about that?" She speaks more to herself as a slow smile creeps onto her face. "Ahh I know." I track her across the room as she riffles through her duffle bag. I feel my blood run cold when I see what she pulls out. I watch in morbid fascination as she uncoils the whip that can only be intended for me.
"Anya…are you sure?" Charles asks actually looking afraid for me.
"Charles, Annie is dying because of her. She's an abomination to our cause and will only bring us pain and suffering. Can't you see that?" Anya asks as she moves towards me a crazy look in her eye. "I'm doing all of us a favor. Once I have her good and ready, we'll take her to Ester. She'll know what to do." I draw my eyebrows together in confusion as I try to remember who Ester is. The name strikes a chord of familiarity with me, but I can't for the life of me place it. I close my eyes as I hear her lift the whip, but Charles is quick to stop her.
"Wait!" He says halting her movements. I watch as a brutal smile turns up his lips as he looks at me. "I have an idea."