AN: Oh man, you guys rock! I was hoping to get 15 reviews, and I did. Yay! I'm glad that you all seemed to really like the last chapter. So let me know what you think about this one!

Story Lover: I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. I am to please, lol. Let me know what you think of this new one! Thanks!

M0RGAN: I'm sorry you have stitches in your neck. That doesn't sound fun at all! I'm so glad you liked the chapter! I am beyond flattered that it has put your off other stories. I updated sooner than planned for you, so I hope you like the chapter and let me know what you think!

Guest: Ha, I doubt I'll be doing a Sophia/Stefan romance. I mean, I think he's super-hot when he's evil, but Klaus will always be my number one. Not even sexy Elijah can compete with him, as crazy as that seems, lol. So don't worry, I only see a friendship between them, I think. But I guess I can't promise anything since I don't know how the story is going to turn out.

Yuki Niwa: I'm so happy you liked the chapter! I must admit that I have definitely had visuals of Sophia and Klaus blood-sharing, so we'll see where that goes, lol. Your questions are mostly answered in this chapter, so yay! As for the name yet, no, I don't. I'm writing this at present time, unlike the last story, so we're all really on the journey together. I hope it turns out well!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything familiar, obviously. Because if I owned TVD, I would so have Joseph naked all the time.

Chapter 2

Sophia trailed after the two men, mind still a chaotic whirlwind from the night before. She was still horrified by her reaction to Klaus's and Stefan's blood. What was happening to her?

She'd never imagined the strange occurrences over the summer would actually lead to her willingly drinking blood. To wanting to drink blood. Well, supernatural blood anyway.

What did it mean that she was grossed out by human blood, but her mouth watered at the slightest scent of vamp or hybrid blood? Was she turning into a new kind of monster, a hybrid, like Klaus?

And, if she was changing, why could she still do magic? She'd been testing herself almost every half hour just to make sure. Klaus had had to warn her about starting a forest fire, so she'd switched to levitating rocks, not wanting to be responsible for a dangerous fire up in the mountains.

On the plus side, she could toss the floating rocks at their backs whenever she heard them say something about her. Which led them to walking even further ahead, where her enhanced hearing couldn't reach. It did suck that she didn't have full vampire powers, especially with her suddenly developing fangs and all.

"You alright back there?" Stefan called back, peering around Ray's dead body.

"Are you? He looks heavy?" She retorted shortly, making the two men chuckle and continue walking. Sophia just rolled her eyes, ready for this never ending search to finally be over.

They came into a break in the trees, where about 20 people had started setting up camp. She didn't bother waiting around for the introductions, knowing time was of the essence.

Setting her bag down on the ground, she pulled out her large supply of bungee cord and moved over to a tree to secure one end. Moving quietly, as not to draw anyone's attention, Sophia moved around the site in as much a circle as she could manage, until the rope was pulled tightly and she connected the ends together.

Taking a deep breathe to center herself, the witch began chanting. Her job today was to create a barrier around the clearing so that the werewolves could not escape before Klaus had turned them.

She didn't particularly like her role, but knew the wolves really didn't have any choice, because Klaus wouldn't stop chasing them. So it was best to just get them all turned here and now, because she really didn't want to be sent on another goose chase.

As she cast the spell, Sophia could literally feel her energy already begin to diminish. Her task was a lot harder than it would have been if they were in a building, as there was nothing to structure the spell around.

The cord did act as a sort of wall, but it wasn't solid and allowed movement, which resulted in her having to focus her efforts in maintaining the boundary. She was just thankful she wouldn't have to keep it up overnight, as that would just be impossible.

"There's no use in trying to run, as my witch has locked you in." Klaus smirked at the gathered people when she reached his side, trying not to let her weariness show.

"W-What do you want?" The woman who'd recognized Ray asked, eyes darting between them and her friend's body.

"Ah, isn't it obvious? I want to create more hybrids." Klaus responded as he led Sophia over to sit on an overturned log. He could see how drained she was and didn't want her falling over in her stubbornness about not looking weak.

"It's fascinating, actually—A werewolf who isn't beholden to the moon, a vampire who doesn't burn in the sun. A true hybrid." Sophia rolled her eyes at Stefan, who was came and sat next to her, making him have to swallow a chuckle. Klaus ignored them both, too intent on the suddenly gasping man.

"Excellent timing, Ray. Very dramatic."

"What's happening to me?" He gasped, eyes darting around in fright as his body quaked in pain.

"You're in transition, Ray." Sophia spoke up, drawing his attention.

"T-Transition?"

"Yeah. You're turning into a vampire. Well, a hybrid. But you need blood to complete it, or you'll die." She explained, too tired be anything but blunt.

"Stefan." Sighing, the vampire stood up and glanced around.

"Are any of you human? The blood he needs is human blood, or his body will shut down and, as Sophia said, he will die."

"Doesn't take much. Just a sip." Klaus added as he slowly stood, adopting his perfected menacing, yet sexy, persona.

"Anyone? A boyfriend, a girlfriend along for the ride?"

Sophia watched as he circled around, heart beginning to speed up as his voice worked over her. It was seriously like its own magic, enthralling her even when she had zero energy to put into being turned on.

"You." He turned to face a blonde man before vamping over to him and biting into his arm. She watched as he threw the man to Stefan, who slammed him on the ground and offered the arm to Ray.

"NO!" The woman yelled, trying to lunge after her man, but being stopped by Klaus's hands.

"If you don't drink it, Ray, I will. Problem is I don't know how to stop." Stefan said, the wound laying between the two and tempting him.

"Stefan! No!" Sophia yelled, knowing she wouldn't be able to stop him if he attacked the human. Stefan glanced up at her, mind clearing a little as he stared into Elena's face. He gave her a small grateful smile and nod before turning back to Ray.

"It's the new order, sweetheart. You join us, or you die." Klaus said to the struggling woman.

"I'd rather die than be a vampire." She spat back.

"Wrong answer."

Sophia knew the instant he bit into his wrist, the scent wafting through the air until it enveloped her. She shuddered as the aroma seemed to buzz around her, calling out to her. Unlike the night before, she could actually sense the changes in her body; how her eyes tingled and her surroundings got crisper and how her teeth elongated to form small fangs.

She didn't know if she was still completely aware because her magic was depleted or if she was just evolving, but Sophia liked being in control for once. The night before, it was like a haze had overcome her, preventing her from knowing what was actually happening until afterwards. She really hoped this new development was from evolving and not her magic, because she didn't want to turn into a blood thirsty monster, because she was as equally unwilling to let her magic go.

"She'll thank me for that later. Heh." Klaus gave a small chuckle before quietly snapping her neck.

"Nik." He glanced over at her, face still contorted and blood dripping from his arm and smudged around his lips. He saw the eyes and flushed face and was reminded of her bizarre situation.

"Of course, my love. I'd almost forgotten."

Stefan pulled Ray off the human before he drank too much, pushing him away. He looked up to see Klaus vamp over to a small blonde woman and drag her over to Sophia, forcing the terrified woman to kneel in front of her.

"Let's see if wolf blood takes your fancy, darling." Sophia licked her lips, eyes glued to his bloody appendage as he pulled the woman's hair away from her throat.

"W-what are you doing" The wolf's voice shook as she stared into the eyes of a girl younger than her. A girl who had the strangest, most terrifying eyes she'd ever seen.

"Don't worry, I'm sure it won't hurt that much. Go ahead, Sophia." Glancing up at him, she saw him nod towards the exposed jugular and understood.

"I'm sorry." She whispered before leaning forward, biting into the soft flesh. The first drop of blood made her moan and pull her victim into her, almost knocking them both over in her haste.

Her senses exploded, everything heightening as the supernatural nectar coursed through her body. It renewed her physical energy, pushing the tiredness away and making her head spin from the rush. It was similar to the highs one gets from drugs, only more invigorating. Not that she'd know what drugs were like. Well…maybe pot, but that's it.

Everyone watched as the witch drank from their packmate, bewildered by the entire situation. None of them had ever heard of a witch consuming the blood of werewolves. And by the ecstatic moaning coming from Casey's mouth, the bite was a lot more pleasurable than a normal vampire bite.

"Alright, sweetheart, let's not drain her. We still need her." Klaus said gently, running a hand over Sophia's head and tugging lightly on her ponytail. The touch seemed to break the trance, allowing her to pull back and actually blush.

"Sorry." She mumbled, watching as her snack blinked dazedly at her.

"I-it's okay. That was—" Casey trailed off, lost for words. The two women blushed at each other before Klaus helped the wolf to her feet, quickly shoving his reopened wrist to her mouth before she came back to herself completely.

Sophia leaned back on her hands, enjoying the way her body was still tingling. She knew there was nothing to be done for the wolves, so she just let the men handle it while she enjoyed the patch of sun that filtered in through the trees.

She must have gotten lost in a daydream, one that involved a very naked Klaus, because when Sophia next opened her eyes, the clearing was filled with unmoving bodies and Ray was sitting on the other end of the log, arms encircling his waist.

"They're all dead.' He mumbled, drawing their attention. She glanced from Ray to Klaus, not sure if what she was seeing was how his transition had gone. The main reason for that was because she'd been dead at the time.

"Well, he's through his transition. He should be feeling better soon." The hybrid said, not sure if everything was right. Ray was shivering terribly, and he didn't recall that. Although, he had been attacked by the witch bitch, so he wasn't certain if he just didn't remember.

"Klaus, something's wrong." Sophia spoke up, eyes glued to Ray. Her boyfriend sat next to him, pulling Ray's face up to examine. When he saw the blood coming out of the wolf's eyes, he knew something was definitely not right.

"That's shouldn't be happening, should it?" Stefan asked, leaning down to get a better look. Sophia sent him a glare, knowing this was really not the time for his snark.

"Well, obviously." Klaus retorted sarcastically before turning to look at Sophia.

"Any ideas?" Standing, she walked over to the three men, giving a little cringe at Ray's state. The blood oozing down his face was not at all appealing.

"I don't know. Is it…is it because Elena and I are still alive?" Sophia asked quietly, fearing the answer. Was it the twins' fault Klaus couldn't make hybrids?

"I don't know. If it is…then we'll find another way to create them." Sophia leaned her forehead against his, completely enthralled by his sea green orbs.

"Really?"

"Of course, love. I won't let you be sacrificed again." He replied, capturing her in a heated kiss that had stars bursting behind her eyelids.

Stefan walked over to stand by a tree, wanting to give them a little privacy. He was just relieved that by Klaus not being willing to kill Sophia, he wouldn't kill Elena either. He'd never been so thankful for Sophia's impact on the hybrid as he was in that moment.

"You said it was gonna feel better. Why doesn't it feel better." Ray's voice broke the couple apart, both glancing down at the shivering man.

"Some master race." Stefan said in amusement. What? It was funny.

"Loose the attitude." Klaus said with a glare.

Sophia just rolled her eyes at the two, wondering if she should be worried their bromance might evolve into something else. What? It could so happen.

Before Stefan could make another snarky comment, the woman from earlier, the first victim from the site, sat up with a gasp.

"Derek, come feed your girlfriend."

The compelled human stood and allowed Klaus to pull his bitten arm out, exposing the wound. Sophia got a second to wonder when he'd learned the man's name before she was suddenly thrown off the log, a snarling Ray having pushed her as he leapt away.

"Go get him." The hybrid instructed as he left Derek to help Sophia up off the ground. Stefan sighed before vamping away.

"You alright, love?"

"Yeah, I just love being tossed around like a rag doll." Sophia frowned when his lips twitched in amusement, making her narrow her gaze at him. Klaus leaned down and gave her a light kiss to sooth her rumpled feathers before he moved back over to Derek. Sophia just huffed in annoyance.

"Come on, lad, let's get your girl fed." A couple of seconds later, after Derek had indeed fed his girlfriend, Stefan stepped back into the clearing. Alone.

"Where did he go?" Klaus asked, although it was pretty clear Ray had escaped.

"He, uh—he got away. Forget him. We've got plenty." Stefan motioned towards the many bodies.

"Got a good bite out of you, did he?" Klaus asked, gripping the wounded arm. Sophia gasped and hurried over.

"Oh no! Klaus, give him your blood!" She demanded, taking Stefan's arm from the hybrid's hand. The vampire arched a brow at him.

"I'll tell you what. Stefan finds Ray and then I'll heal him." His words earned a death glare from the both of them.

"Klaus! Don't be such a dick.' She scowled, elbowing him in the ribs.

"You'd better hurry, 'cause that bite looks nasty." Klaus said, ignoring his outraged love. Stefan scoffed before leaving.

"That was unnecessarily mean, Klaus. Why wouldn't you just heal him?"

"He shouldn't have let Ray escape. And how did Ray get away, by the way? Shouldn't your boundary spell have kept him inside?" He arched an eyebrow.

"It was spelled for werewolves, remember? Not vampires, hybrids, and werewolves. That'd need more than one witch." She rolled her eyes and marched away, too annoyed to stay close to him. He could be such an ass sometimes!

The two had only been in silence for a couple of minutes before the others started to reanimate. Sophia watched as they groaned and slowly sat up, hoping they had better luck than Ray. She might not appreciate Klaus being such a bastard, but she still wanted him to get his hybrids.

As Klaus started pulling Derek towards a guy, Sophia decided she'd help. It wasn't fair to Derek to be used the way he was, so she thought she'd contribute. Plus, the quicker they got everyone fed, the sooner they'd know if this entire trip was a success or failure. It wasn't like she had anything better to do anyways.

Pulling a water bottle and Klaus's switchblade out of her bag, she poured the water out before using the knife to cut her wrist. It hurt like a bitch, but she managed to get most of the blood into the bottle before she cut a piece of her shirt to wrap around the wound. She did not know how people managed to cut both their wrists, because that shit hurt.

Moving over to the girl she'd snacked on, she knelt down by her side and lifted her head up.

"Here, drink this. It should help." Casey gave a nod, allowing a small amount into her mouth. The minute she swallowed, she gasped and choked, falling away from Sophia's startled grasp as her body jerked in pain.

"Klaus!" The witch yelled, eyes wide as the girl started screaming and clutching at her head. Klaus was at her side instantly.

"What did you do?"

"I-I gave her my b-blood." Sophia stuttered, eyes glued to the screaming woman.

"W—" Before he could say anymore, Casey's head jerked up, revealing golden eyes and fangs.

"Oh my god!" The witch backed up, bumping into Klaus's chest in fright.

"She's…she's a hybrid." He breathed in wonder, hands gripping her shoulders as he watched the veins finish pulsing beneath her eyes as she slowly calmed down.

"W-what? Did the others not change too?" Sophia asked, glancing over at the two he'd fed Derek's blood. It was getting dark, so it was difficult to see, but it looked like they were reacting the way Ray had.

"Your blood is the cure. Crafty little things, witches." Klaus mumbled, more to himself than to her.

"What do you mean?"

"It would seem there was another part of the ritual business I was not told. Sneaky little witches." Klaus replied, bending down to pick up the bottle that had been knocked over.

"Should I be insulted?" Klaus gave her a bemused look before lifting up the mostly empty bottle. Her eyes widened and she scowled at him, knowing what he was implying.

"I just need a little more. Most of this is now on the ground."

"Then can't they lick the ground?" She asked, crossing her arms over her chest, trying not to cringe as her wrist pulsed angrily at the movement.

"Please, Sophia." Damn him for doing that to her! It was so not cool that he looked at her like that, knowing full well her weakness for all things Klaus. Damn it.

"You so owe me for this, Nik." She muttered as she presented her arm, the cloth soaked through red. Klaus gave her a little smile as he pulled the cloth away and titled the still bleeding wound towards the bottle.

"Fuck that hurts." She groaned when his fingers pushed at the edges of the cut, making it bleed more until the bottle was filled. She still couldn't believe this was all really happening.

"Well, it would appear that healing might be something you haven't developed." Sophia glanced down, seeing that her cut was indeed not knitting back together the way his would have. That was just messed up.

"Here." He held out his wrist, presenting the unblemished skin to her.

"I…after you've fed them." She stepped back, trying to will the new hunger down. It wasn't as insistent as it had been, probably since she'd had a large dose from the wolf, but it still had her eyes beginning to tingle and her gums to start itching.

"If you're sure."

He waited for her to give a nod before he quickly moved away, making sure everyone got a sip of doppelgänger. Not wanting the two to end up like Ray, he quickly disposed of the Derek fed, pulling their bodies into a tent so Sophia wouldn't have to see them. Once done, he returned to where she was now sitting.

"All done." He sat down next to her and once more offered his wrist. Turning into him, Sophia laid her head against his shoulder, breathing his scent in deeply. If she could fill up on that alone, she'd be set.

"You smell so good."

Klaus smirked down at her as he brought his hand up to rub across her back and neck, enjoying the closeness. It was a little hard to concentrate once the screaming had started, but it was beginning to die down so he was content to let Sophia take her time. It wasn't like they were needed anywhere.

Sophia leaned in further until her face was pressed into his neck, her lips pressing against the sensitive skin repeatedly. She smiled when he gave a shudder when her tongue darted out to taste his skin before she let her fangs pierce said skin.

Klaus groaned as she began to drink, the experience highly pleasurable now that he wasn't in shock. Blood-sharing was an erotic act, and even though he wasn't drinking from her, it was more intense then he'd ever experienced. Not that he'd let that many feed from him, but still.

Unlike the night before or with the wolf, Sophia only took a couple deep swallows before she pulled back, tongue licking up the droplets until the skin sealed itself. Leaning back, she gave Klaus a deep kiss, letting him taste himself on her lips. Pulling away, Klaus rubbed their noses together before smiling.

"Let's get everyone sorted." Sophia allowed him to pull her up, sliding her arm around his waist as they started towards the area where the new hybrids had gathered.

/*/

When Stefan finally made it back, Ray's body slung over his shoulders, the hybrids had cleaned up the clearing and had a fire going. Derek had been healed and compelled to forget, which Sophia was proud of Klaus for doing instead of just killing him.

The vampire was shocked to see them alive and well, laughter filling the air along with the scent of cooking meat. Dropping Ray's body to the ground, he arched an eyebrow at Klaus, who was sitting next to Sophia, the two enjoying a beer.

"So you figured out what went wrong?" Stefan questioned as he stumbled over, his arm on fire.

"Yes, it appears the witches made it to where doppelgänger blood was the key. So by killing her, I'd be left without a means to create more hybrids. Lucky for us, both doppelgängers are safe and sound." Klaus responded, giving Sophia's thigh a squeeze.

"Ah." Stefan mumbled, earning a concerned look from the witch.

"You look like hell." Klaus remarked.

"Last I checked, I'm dying…and you don't want to heal me." Stefan showed them the grim bite, which caused her to leap to her feet and rush over to him.

"Klaus! You've already reached your allotted level of assholeness today. Heal him." She said angrily, taking Stefan's injured forearm into her hands. It looked like it hurt like a bitch. Klaus rolled his eyes at both of them and glanced down at the very dead Ray.

"I had to take him out. I had no choice." The vampire explained with a shrug. The hybrid gave his own shrug, not concerned over Ray's death, as he still got his hybrids. Grabbing another beer, he popped the top before biting into his hand and letting the blood trickle into the bottle.

"Bottoms up."

Stefan took the offered bottle and Sophia moved back over to her boyfriend. She was still uncomfortable around all the new hybrids, especially with her magic still depleted, so she liked staying close to Klaus. Stefan quickly downed the beer, sighing in relief when the bite began to heal.

"So what's the plan now? I mean, we spent the last two months searching for the wolves, and now you've got hybrids." Sophia asked, leaning against his side as Klaus wrapped an arm around her waist.

"We need to find answers to what's happening to you, so we'll set out in a little while." He responded. Sophia glanced around the clearing again.

"And what about the hybrids?"

"What about them? They'll come with us. Their purpose is to serve me, so that's what they'll do." Even though she didn't feel completely safe, Sophia wouldn't just let them be used like that. They were people too and deserved to live their lives.

"I need to speak with you, in private." She mumbled, tugging on his hand. He arched a brow but allowed her to lead him away,

"What is it?" He questioned once she'd stopped, far enough away to give them some privacy.

"I don't think you should bring the hybrids with us, Nik."

"Why?"

"Well, because…they all have lives, Nik. They have families and friends that would wonder where they've disappeared to if they don't go home. And I think that forcing them to do your bidding will only make them resent you."

"I've released them from the curse of the moon. They should be thankful for that." He retorted.

"I'm sure they are, but that'll only go so far. I know you want them to help protect you if Mikael makes an appearance, but I think forcing them to be your servants will diminish their gratitude over time.

"Sophia—"

"No, listen to me. I know you're afraid of him, Nik. But a good general knows that loyalty far outweighs a sense of gratitude. If you make them loyal to you for you and not for what you've done for them, then they will be more willing to protect you." She stressed, clutching his hands in hers as she tried to get him to understand.

"It's not just me I'm worried about." He said, making her smile slightly.

"I know, and I love that you're concerned for my safety. But I still think you should let them go back to their lives. This bond you seem to have with them should be nurtured by allowing them to return home, to feel normal. Of course, they should return to you when you give the word, but let them be happy for a while." Klaus glanced over at the gathered people, debating.

"And it's strategic, Klaus. We don't know if or when Mikael is going to be awoken, so by not having your hybrids on display will be an asset. He won't know about them, which means he won't be prepared for them." He met her eyes, seeing how much she wanted this.

She did make a good point. If his hybrids weren't out in the open, then they wouldn't be targets and Mikael wouldn't know about them. Any advantage he had over his step-father was one he was glad for.

"When did you get so smart about this stuff?" He asked, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into his chest.

"Probably when I dived into your head." She replied with a smile, allowing him to give her a kiss.

"Fine, they can return to their lives."

"Just make sure they only drink from blood bags or very discretely. You don't want them to draw unwanted attention." He nodded before leading her back into the clearing.

Stefan lowered his head, having been stretching his ears to hear what they'd been saying. He definitely agreed with Sophia's reasoning. But he was very curious about whom this 'Mikael' was and why Klaus, the biggest, baddest Original, was scared of him.

"So what now?" He asked when they reached him.

"Now we head to Chicago. I know a witch there that should be able to tell us what's happening to Sophia. We'll set out in a few." Klaus responded before leaving them, walking to his hybrids to hand out instructions. They were going to finish out the night, clean up in the morning (meaning burying the dead) and go home until he called them.

"Chicago?" Stefan asked out loud, making Sophia give him a tight smile.

"Yeah, Chicago. I just hope answers are all we get." He gave her a confused look, but she didn't elaborate.

She'd had the fear that they'd end up there at some point when they'd set out in May. She could only hope that Stefan's memories stayed buried and he never learned what a monster he'd been in the 1920s. Fingers crossed.

AN: So? Review pretty please!