AN: Hey everyone! So here is chapter fifteen. You guys are amazing! Thank you all for your continual support by faving/following and reading. I wouldn't have gotten this far without you all! : )
To Lady Syndra: I totally agree, I don't think that Klaus ever really did know that even though he wasn't Mikael's son that his siblings still cared about him. I think he felt insecure about that and that's probably a reason why he kept daggering them for century's. I like Klaus though and his story so I may save him some heartache in the matter ; ) . I do think Pearl doesn't like Katherine but I feel that to survive the town council then they will became ally's especially since Pearl wants to save her daughter. I do feel bad for Pearl though because I think she just wanted to fit into the town and try and be like everyone else, sad really. You are right, Giuseppe is in the fight against the vampires on the TV series but I think I want to introduce Kara into the council before Giuseppe joins her. : ) Thank you so much for reviewing again, seriously it is so amazing that you find this story interesting enough to contribute….thanks a million! : )
To Guest: Thanks a million for spotting that, can't believe I missed it..: ) Such a silly typo as well! : ) Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to review, so glad you liked it.
Mystic Falls
1864
The sky was darkening over the town of Mystic falls as Kara sat on her plush, cushioned window seat waiting for night to fall. She laid her head on the cool window and stared out as people passed by obviously wanting to get home before it became too dark. Bart Sloane, the town caretaker could be seen walking around lighting the tall gas street-lamps with his torch which sat on a very long pole in order to reach the lamps. He moved from one to the next lighting them all individually as he did before dusk every night. Kara had once thought that the task looked dreadfully tedious but now she looked at it as a part of normality, a luxury she could no longer pretend she possessed. She reached to the top of the bodice of her dress to view the pocket watch that she had pinned there when she had returned from town. It read nine-thirty-five and she sighed realising that she would have to be leaving soon. This is the moment she had dreaded ever since she had returned from leaving the house without her father's permission earlier in that day. Damon, Stefan and Katherine had returned from the dress makers before her to announce to Giuseppe that she had left Katherine alone in the shop, which had, according to her father been 'The upmost of discourtesy to treat a guest in such a manner'. She had been sent to her bedroom without supper, which she had decided was not that severe of a punishment as she had not wanted to spend any further time with Katherine anyway. What really cautioned her was the look her father gave her when he directed her to her room. He had never viewed her with eyes of such disappointment before and although she had seen him yell at Damon or reprimand Stefan with such an expression she herself had never been on the receiving end; yet another thing that had changed since Katherine's arrival.
She half-heartedly stood up from her place at the window and went to get her cloak, which was much heavier in fabric than her shawl and would provide her with much greater warmth against the night air. Feeling the way she did, with her head throbbing and her joints aching then she would take all of the warmth she could get.
She made her way to the bottom of the main staircase without being seen, she knew most of the servants had retired by now to have dinner or to go to bed. She inwardly recoiled as she passed the dining room and heard her father, brothers and Katherine drinking wine and laughing joyously to one another. She put the hood of her cloak up whilst angrily looking at the closed double mahogany doors that lead to the dining room. She was vexed and she knew that that emotion was what was going to give her the energy to get to the meeting and to, sooner rather than later stop Katherine.
Trying to ignore the obvious joyous and intimate scene she opened the front door swiftly and silently and made sure to close it just as mutely behind her. She turned and descended the steps of the porch walking down the path and straight out the front gate without, surprisingly, meeting any difficulties.
The streets were almost empty; the darkening skies making the dawdling few hurry to the safety of their own homes. Little did they know the dangers that did lurk in the shadows.
She made her way down the road, copying the path she had taken earlier in the day. The air seemed cool and it chilled her body when it entered her lungs. She shivered slightly, the chill forming small goosebumps on the skin of her arms. The town seemed different at night, as if it gave the impression of being in slumber but was not quite still. Somehow she felt an eerie sense of not being alone as her heeled shoes clicked along the concrete path. The journey seemed to take longer than usual and she didn't know whether it was because of the fact that she was walking alone at night during these dangerous times or whether it was due to the thought of the impending meeting. She sped up her pace and secured her hood more firmly over her head which gave her an illusion of being somewhere safer.
Her head was really throbbing now and her joints ached as if the limbs they held together wished to part from one another but she powered on, knowing that what she may find at her destination may be the answer to all of her problems.
She turned her head as she walked to look behind her, paranoid of what may follow her in the darkness. Seeing nothing but the eerily empty street she turned to look ahead of her again but the feeling of uneasiness continued to plague her. She crossed the road and made for the alleyway that lead to Fell's lane, the shops on the way looking unnerving in their locked and deserted state. She moved passed Madam Pearl's shop and noticed the light only now being quenched inside.
'Madam Pearl must only be now leaving for home' she thought to herself absentmindedly wondering whether the woman worked this late every night.
She tightened her cloak and looked up to see how much further she had left to go when she saw Rosalyn. She looked nervous but determined and moved from the side of the road that Kara was on to the other. She clearly had not seen her and moved swiftly with her head down. She wore the same dress that Kara had seen her wear earlier in the day and with only a light dinner shawl on over it.
"Rosalyn!" Kara called running to move over to her friend. She flinched at the sudden call of her name and looked at Kara through red puffy eyes.
"What are you doing out here so late?" Kara asked her friend "And alone at that"
Rosalyn narrowed her eyes at her; obviously still both annoyed and hurt from the conversation they had had earlier.
"I could ask you the same thing" she spat bitterly, folding her arms over her chest in a defensive manner. Kara could see the small goosebumps that had appeared on Rosalyn's arms but she didn't seem like she was feeling the cold.
Kara sighed knowing that she had no good excuse to send Rosalyn home without sounding hypocritical herself.
"Rosalyn it's not safe to be out here so late" Kara continued wanting so badly for Rosalyn to realise how much danger she could be in.
"Why?" she asked looking her right in the eye, her attitude becoming more and more spitting "Because of the 'vampires'".
She said the last part sarcastically trying to sting Kara by using her warnings against her. She was clearly hurting and now she was taking it out on her.
"Yes Rosalyn because of the vampires" Kara said matter –of –fact stating the sentence as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Rosalyn rolled her eyes and began walking again.
"Well where on earth are you going?" Kara asked following her slightly. She was concerned and tried to ignore the fact that Rosalyn still did not believe her about the existence of vampires and the fact that Katherine, her rival on the pursuit of Stefan's heart was in fact one of those beasts.
She went to grab Rosalyn's arm when she didn't answer but she pulled it away firmly almost making Kara lose her balance.
"To your house" she replied loudly her eyes brimming with tears "I have to see him, I have to see Stefan I ca…" She stopped, her voice stalling with sorrowful emotion.
She paused a moment in a poor effort to try and compose herself.
"I can't believe that this is real"
Hot tears spilled down her cheeks.
"I can't compete with her Kara, I can't"
Kara pulled her friend into a reluctant hug she herself seeing at the pain that Katherine seemed to be causing and this time without even having to be in the vicinity.
Kara pulled back from her friend and Rosalyn began wipe her eyes and fixing her face.
"Look at me" she chuckled nervously obviously trying to overplay the humour of the sentence "I want to go and win my fiancé back and I look like a blubbering mess".
"Rosalyn" Kara began worried for her friend but unsure what to say.
"Does he really love her?" Rosalyn asked her mood changing and her face stone-like and emotionless. Kara really did not like seeing this new side of her friend. Rosalyn had always seemed to be much like her father in that she was friendly, chirpy and always and a smile on her face. She never had a cross word to say about anyone and in the last few hours Kara felt like she could see the sadness and anger that Katherine had provided chipping away at Rosalyn until now all that was left was an emotional wreck. Kara had thought she had always seen the love between this woman and her brother but now, this night she had really seen it.
"Rosalyn don't do this to yourself" Kara finally replied trying her best to forget the question that she had asked her and hoping beyond hope that Rosalyn would do the same.
"Please" she replied her voice as well as her words pleading "At least if I know that he is happy then maybe it would be some sort of small consolation"
Kara looked at her, at the desolation pouring from her. She wanted to tell her the words that she wanted to hear, that everything was going to be alright be she couldn't and instead she just shook her head.
"I'm sorry Rosalyn, I can't tell you that"
Rosalyn nodded, knowing deep down that even if Kara had told her what she wanted to hear then she would still feel as hopeless as she did now.
"He loves you but right now his being brainwashed. Once Katherine leaves, once I make her leave everything will go back to normal, you'll see"
Rosalyn looked to Kara seemingly taking in all that she was saying. To her the idea of someone being brainwashed was some fanciful idea that she read in books or saw magicians pretend to do at fun-fairs but right now she was holding onto it like it was a lifeline, her last chance to get Stefan to love her again.
Rosalyn nodded.
"Okay"
"Okay?" Kara asked unsure to why her convincing was finally being believed.
Rosalyn nodded tearful and broken.
"I just want hope" she said her voice quivering "And if you can provide that, make-believe stories or not then I choose to believe them"
Kara gave her a sad smile moving over to comfort her by rubbing her hands up and down her arms.
"I will do my very best to help you Rosie, you and Stefan belong together and everyone knows that"
"Thank you" she replied her voice low and tired.
Kara reached into the pocket in her dress to give back the ring, her mother's ring that Rosalyn had thrust into her hands in anger only a few hours ago.
Rosalyn shook her head.
"You keep it" she said her voice slightly stronger than it had been before "When this is over than I wish to start afresh with Stefan".
Kara narrowed her eyes in thought.
"So you want to end your engagement with him?"
"Not end" she said she herself thinking "Maybe postpone"
Kara nodded knowing that that would be for the best, who knew what sort of state Stefan and Damon would be in when she got rid of Katherine. A sudden and dark thought came over.
'What if they never went back to normal?'
She shivered and shook off the thought choosing to think positively instead.
"I shall keep it until you need it again then" Kara declared referring to the ring as she placed it back into her pocket.
Rosalyn nodded her appreciation and wiped the fallen tears from her face.
"I should go" she said moving to go.
"Home" she clarified noticing Kara's gaze become questioning.
"Good" Kara replied smiling at her friend, glad in many ways that she was able to help her, to make her feel better.
"And you?" Rosalyn asked as if urging her to say the same thing she had and tell her she was too returning home.
Kara paused a moment, unsure of quite what to say. She knew the truth wasn't an option, Honoria had sworn her to secrecy but she wanted to leave Rosalyn with some hint of hope to hold on to.
"Not quite yet, there's something I must do but I shall return home as promptly as I can afterwards, that's a promise".
Rosalyn nodded understanding and trusting Kara as much as she could.
"Goodnight then my friend" Rosalyn spoke her voice calmer than before and her expression as placid as anyone could have expected. She turned to leave, taking three large steps down the path she had just travelled before turning to Kara once more.
"I'm sorry for how I spoke to you Kara, I really am"
Kara smiled at her friend hoping that this was now the start of things returning back to normal in the town.
"And if what you told me is true" she continued looking to her feet "then be careful tonight"
"I will" Kara replied "And you better get home to that Father of yours before he realises that you're gone".
With one final smile and wave the two girls departed from one another, each going in opposite directions.
She checked her pocket watch again and realised that she had less than three minutes to arrive at the meeting on time and she kicked herself as she had decided hours ago that she had wanted to arrive early as to not draw attention to herself when she entered. She turned the corner onto the private road and both the house and the large iron-gate came into view. The house was illuminated in light which, to Kara was a good sign, almost welcoming.
The iron-gate stood tall and imposing with the letter 'F' etched onto the semi-rusted metal to indicate 'Fell'. It surprised Kara to think that of all of the years Honoria had visited her house that she had never visited hers. She pushed the gate open and it sounded a metallic groan as she did. The front door opened suddenly to reveal Sterling, Honoria and Thomas's adult son.
"I thought I heard someone out here" Sterling greeted friendly moving down the few steps from the front door to the pebble-dashed path that lead to the gate "Come Kara, you are the last to arrive, we can begin now".
Kara smiled at the man. She had to admit that she did not know Sterling that well. He was a couple of years older than Damon and never tended to be around his or Stefan's social circle. Sure he went to the balls and parties of the town but Kara never had so she couldn't pretend to have joined him in conversation at any point. She did however know his sister Cassandra who Damon had courted for a while when he was sixteen.
"I apologise for being tardy" Kara said regretfully as Sterling guided her towards the house the warm light engulfing them both as they got closer.
"Oh you're not" Sterling replied moving up the wooden steps before in order to open the door for them both "Everyone else is just a little too eager to get the meeting started, bad news if you ask me"
Kara smiled a little at the man's humour but frowned when the reality of the last statement sunk in. She couldn't imagine what other thing could be happening in the town that could be worse that what was going on at her house.
She sighed and followed Sterling into the modest-sized entrance hall decorated in browns and dull reds to resemble something of a Spanish villa.
The sounds of voices chattering alerted Kara to the other people in the house and this made a nervous pit suddenly appear in her stomach.
"May I take your cloak?" he asked her politely.
Kara smiled nervously and nodded, untying the ties and turning so he could pull the fabric off of her shoulders.
"Your mother mentioned that she could give me Vervain, I only really came for…"
Sterling smiled and raised his hand to halt her sentence.
"All in good time, both Mother and Father wish you to join the meeting".
Kara nodded still a little reluctant to move into the crowded room. She had never been comfortable in big crowds, not since before the influenza outbreak. Back then it was the fear of catching the contagion from someone else, now, however she wasn't certain to what the matter was.
She took a deep breath and put on a fake smile and walked one step behind Sterling as he entered the dining room. As she expected everyone turned to look at her as she entered. Their concentrated, frowning faces turned to that of both surprise and wonderment.
"Ah Kara welcome" Honoria said standing for her place at the dining table and moving to greet the youngest Salvatore with her arms wide open as if to hug her.
"Thank you Mrs Fell" Kara replied smiling at the older woman's genuinely happy face.
"Come sit, we have much to get through during this meeting".
Kara complied and sat near the head of the table in-between Sterling's wife Daniella and Evan Gilbert who smiled warmly at her as she sat.
There were only a handful of other people in the room. All, Kara noticed were either from founding families or were in important positions in the town. Jonathan Gilbert sat next to his son and seemed to be the only other person in the room to not be surprised by Kara's entrance to the room. Kara was astonished to see the male members of the Lockwood family in attendance. Sure, as mayor she had half expected to see Benjamin here but she had assumed as they were such good friends with her family that if they knew of the existence of vampires then they surely they would have warned her father. Benjamin was with George in the corner of the room. They smiled a small smile in greeting both clearly stupefied to see her.
"So we're inviting children to these meeting's now are we?" Alexander Patten, the owner of the newspaper of the town 'The Mystic Falls tribune' spat standing up irritably and holding his arms up in a type of defeat.
"Hold your tongue Patten" Jonathan Gilbert defended eyes glaring dangerously at the overweight man.
Kara flinched slightly, in all of her years being friends with even she had never seen Jonathan look so angry and stern. She fidgeted in her seat unsure of whether she should stay or to get up and leave.
Evan stood and put his hand on his father's shoulder, calming him slightly.
"Everyone calm down please" Reverend Thomas Fell who sat at the top of the table instructed "We need to keep our heads if we are going to keep this town safe".
This seemed to sober people up to the reality of the reason of why they were there and all who had stood up sat down in their respective seats.
"Now Miss Salvatore was invited here just like each of you were and right now she is probably feeling unsure as it is".
Kara looked to her feet at this somewhat embarrassed by the attention.
"Cast your minds back to the first time that you saw one of those creatures and remember how you felt, now please can we make Miss Salvatore feel a bit more welcome".
A hushed silence fell on the group, including Mr Patten and Mr Fell took this as a chance to continue with the meeting.
"How are we coming with tainting the town's water supply with Vervain?" he directed this question to William Forbes who as Sheriff had being trying to accomplish this task.
"Not great" William replied honestly "There isn't enough Vervain in storage to successfully contaminate a water body that large".
Mr Fell sighed and ran a hand through his slick-backed grey hair.
"Okay then we will need to revisit that plan"
Sheriff Forbes nodded as if he expected such an outcome.
"How goes your plan Mrs Fell?" Benjamin Lockwood asked, his eyes narrowing with curiosity.
Honoria looked to him, a touch of a smirk playing on her face due to the satisfaction of completing her task.
"It's in hand; I delivered the elixirs to the apothecary just today. Pearl has agreed to sell them at ten cents apiece".
Benjamin nodded with a smile.
"I guess I know what I'll be getting my staff this year as a thank you for helping with the ball"
Most people in the room let out a small chuckle at this.
"Speaking of that" Reverend Fell said looking to Benjamin "Do you really think that it would be wise to throw this ball when we know of the creatures that walk the streets?"
The people in the room looked to Benjamin for his answer, most apprehensive as the Lockwood's founders day ball had been the talk of the town since it had been announced months ago.
"Absolutely" Benjamin said "We have to maintain normality for as long as we can, cancelling the ball may alert these monsters that we are on to them".
Thomas was reluctant but finally nodded.
"Very well but everyone must be on guard, do not let them get to you, take your elixirs and be aware"
"Agreed" Benjamin replied nodding profusely obviously relieved that his ball was not cancelled.
"Good, that settles it"
The atmosphere in the room turned relieved at that.
Kara suddenly felt Mr Fell's gaze on her.
"Miss Salvatore?" he asked questioning. She looked up to him, he seemingly sitting on a chair higher than she.
"Would you care to tell what it is that you have experienced in this matter? That called for you to seek out Vervain".
Kara cast her eyes towards the floor. She felt as though somehow it was wrong to tell all of these people what she was about to say. It felt far-fetched to think it let alone say it aloud and now that she had the attention of the room her confidence was diminishing more and more. She swallowed nervously and looked to Mr Fell. She wanted so much to pretend that he was the only person in the room but she could feel everyone else's eyes burning into her.
"The lady that is staying at my house" she began her voice surprisingly even "I fear that she is a….a vampire".
Whispers and murmurs erupted in the room and Thomas raised his arms in an effort to silence them.
"You're sure?" he asked her his voice stern and inquisitive.
Kara looked to him and nodded.
"I didn't know what she was at first" she began looking to her fingers as she ringed them together nervously "She attacked me; moving at an unholy speed, fangs as sharp as a sword and then she tried to brainwash me, to make it so I would forget the whole matter except it seems that that didn't work"
Daniella, Sterling's wife nodded and leant over to hold Kara's hand comfortingly.
"That sounds quite like my experience too sweety" she said warmly.
"You were attacked by Katherine too?" Kara asked bewildered to why Katherine would attack Daniella Fell, was it random or was she making a sport out of it?
Daniella shook her head.
"No, it was a woman who came to work for us, a maid" she started indicated to Sterling and herself "She had left for a week or so to care for a sick aunt. She notified us a week later to tell that she was to return on a train due to arrive at the station the next evening, at eight o'clock I believe" She looked to her husband for confirmation and she continued when he nodded.
"Sterling stayed in the carriage and I went to the platform to greet her and it was there that she attacked me"
Daniella pulled a little of the collar of her dress aside to reveal the new scars of two small puncture holes on her neck. Kara flinched as the memory of the pain that Katherine had caused passed over her.
"It was a miracle that Sterling came to find me when he did, I may have not survived it otherwise".
Sterling looked lovingly at is wife as he reached over to take the hand that was not otherwise occupied in comforting Kara.
"Did you kill her?" Kara asked unsure to whether or not she should ask such a question but it seemed the idea of etiquette was left at the door when discussing matters of such importance.
"Not right away" Sterling replied looking to his wife sadly "I punched her first and when that did no good I hit the creature over the head with a shovel that was lying nearby and she scurried away among the train tracks. I don't think I injured her severely but she was startled. We alerted the town council soon after, we thought that maybe she had become deranged but we explained what had happened and they told us of the woman's true nature. She didn't remerge that day for the daylight burns the beasts but that night she returned to the town, looking for somebody to eat presumably and it was then that we killed her, finally and ultimately. The entirety of the council helped, your father included"
Kara's head shot up to look at him. She was definitely taken aback at this. Her father knew of the creatures all along, she could have confided in him and now she couldn't help but feel that it was too late do this. He had been alone around Katherine too often and spoke of her too highly to not be brainwashed by her.
A sudden thought occurred to her.
"You say daylight burns their skin?" she asked. Sterling nodded.
"Then how is it that Katherine Pierce walks freely in the daytime? Her skin does not burn"
"Are you certain she is a vampire?" Alexander Patten asked dubiously with a smirk sipping on his glass of malt whiskey.
Kara nodded definitively.
"I researched it" Kara spoke attempting to back up her claim with some element of proof "I went to the library and whilst I didn't find anything of value there I did find a description of the beast in a book Emily Bennet has been carrying, a grimoire I believed she called it".
A soft murmur broke out in the room.
"What is it?" Kara asked unsure if something she had said was wrong.
"A grimoire is a book for witches" Honoria explained taking in this knowledge of yet another being to fear cautiously in her stride "It is basically their spell book".
Kara nodded. She knew this already, she had seen Emily cast a spell for heaven's sake but she didn't admit to that in fear that the council would accuse her of not coming forward with the vital information sooner.
'No' she thought 'Best to play ignorant in this case'
"That's it, the answer to how they are able to walk among is during the daylight hours, witchcraft" Honoria concluded.
People nodded their heads in agreement chatting animatedly.
"You mean the witches and vampires are in league with one another?" Sterling asked.
"They must be to allow the night walkers to walk among us" Sheriff Forbes piped in.
"I hate to ask you this Kara, but Emily lives in your house" Honoria began and Kara didn't like where this conversation was going "You need to try and get her book, her grimoire for us"
"Why?" Kara asked confused "We're not witches, it's not like we could use it".
"But we can see what they may be capable of, if there is any way to prevent them walking in the daylight".
Kara thought for a moment and nodded, if there was anyone that she could entrust the book to then it would be the members of the founder' s council.
"Great" Honoria said replying to Kara's nod of the head "Just be careful, don't let them catch you".
Kara gave her a fixed smile; she wasn't going to tell them just yet that she already had the book because getting it out of the house unnoticed would be the hardest part of the plan.
"I will try my best"
"I think it may be safe to say that we need a plan to kill these creatures, all of them once and for all" Jonathan Gilbert announced "The Vervain will deter them, but it won't be enough".
People agreed wholeheartedly, clapping their hands somewhat to support his statements.
Thomas nodded looking to Jonathan.
"Alright, I want a plan ready in two days"
Jonathan nodded moving to leave the meeting, Evan in tow.
"Will you be okay?" Evan asked Kara leaning down to her so that his voice was just a whisper.
"I'll be fine Evan, thank you"
With that he nodded and left with his father.
Thomas moved from his chair and went to stand and the top of the room standing before the group authoritatively.
"We will stop these monsters, as long as we all work together and in sync"
The speech was supposed to give the room power and encouragement but for some reason Kara felt that it fell short.
It was with that that the meeting was over. Kara just sat there in slight awe of the length of the proceedings.
"That's it?" she asked as the others got up to leave.
Honoria made her way over to Kara and put her hand on her shoulder.
"It is all we can do for now"
She said this meekly, almost as if she was upset about the progress herself.
"Come" she said "I'll get you that Vervain now"
Kara followed Honoria into the study and watched as Mrs Fell took a key from a chain around her neck and began to open up a large wooden cupboard that stood tall in the room.
It creaked open and Kara was astonished to see various stems of dried Vervain along with several jars and bottles of the stuff.
She took out three vials and handed them to Kara.
"Should you need more then you know where to find them"
Kara smiled at the older woman.
"Thank you Mrs Fell".
She clutched the vials in her hand as she made her way to the entrance hall once again to retrieve her cloak from a busy Sterling who was distributing them the their respective owners.
"Would you care for someone to escort you home Miss Salvatore?" he asked handing over her cloak, which her more proud side of her did admit looked nicer than the other cloaks he had in his arm to distribute to the other guests.
"I'll be fine Mr Fell, thank you"
"You're certain?" he asked a little bit stricter.
"Yes" she replied tying the tie of her cloak so it sat more securely on her shoulders "I would hate if Katherine saw me returning with someone from the council and discovered our plans".
Sterling nodded in agreement.
"Just be careful then"
Kara nodded with a smile.
"I will thank you"
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~TVD~
"Tell me again what you saw" Kol ordered Natalie, frustrated and putting his hands through his hair.
"A woman, dark hair, slim, attractive, arrogant and malicious" Natalie repeated for what Tahlia felt like was the tenth time.
She had alerted Kol to what Natalie had said as soon as she had said it, any threat to Kol finding Kara was dangerous and this was just that. His good mood from seeing her was soon drastically changed and he had taken it upon himself to question the young seer.
"No name no?" he asked almost sarcastically.
"Her name begins with a 'K' but the name that she uses is not the name she was given".
"Finally we are getting somewhere" Kol said exasperated.
"She fears the Mikaelson name" Natalie continued her voice as airy as ever.
Kol turned on the spot.
"Does she now, that's something"
"But a lot of people fear the Mikaelson name" Tahlia replied rolling her eyes at the realisation that the interrogation was going nowhere.
"No" Kol replied "Not a lot of people know that we actually exist, we are a myth, a nightmare to most"
Tahlia finally caught on to what he was saying.
"The myth of the original vampires, that is true. But this woman knows you by name?"
Kol nodded.
"She must do, she has obviously had some type of interaction with the family before, whether it be with I or 'Bekah or my brothers"
Tahlia nodded at this.
"Don't suppose you remember any slim brunettes with a name beginning with 'K' during your eight-hundred-years?"
Kol gave her a disdainful glare and Tahlia shut up.
He began walking to the door, must to the dismay of Tahlia.
"Where are you going?" she asked all but yelling and following him to the door.
"You'll do well to remember who you are talking to Tahlia I don't answer to you"
He could see Tahlia clearly wilt under his glower.
With that he walked out of the front door.
Tahlia sighed and turned to Natalie.
"It is going to be a long night.
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~TVD~
The night seemed cooler and eerier than earlier Kara realised as she paced down the street in order to make her way home. The people whom she had kept company with at the meeting had diverged into other streets on the way to their houses and now without the sound of their footsteps the town seemed too quiet. Especially, since she now knew for sure that vampires were a common occurrence in the town. She clutched the bottles of Vervain in her grasp, her only defence if one of the creatures were to strike her.
She made her way down the side ally that connected Fell's lane to the main road and felt even more exposed on the wider street. The flickering of the candlelight of the street lamps cast shadows over the objects on the road and made everything look as though it was moving about and she had to calm her nerves in order for her to not bolt from the spot into a run.
She took a deep breath in an effort to calm down but all the cold air did was send small shivers down her spine. Looking up she saw the moon bright in the sky, not full but illuminous in its three-quarter state. The sky looked clear and peaceful, much contrasted with the chaos going on in the town.
She sighed as her estate came in to view and debated which way to enter unnoticed. A light still irradiated from the dining room window casting light onto the front lawn which in-turn alerted Kara to the fact that people still occupied the room. Gazing at the house she didn't notice the figure dismounting a horse a few metres in front of her.
"Should you really be out walking this late at night?" a voice asked. A warm, sultry yet familiar voice at that. The suddenness of the sound in the quiet street made her jump. She turned to him, her eyes wide. His back was turned to her as he adjusted the reins on his horse. She kicked herself for being so wrapped up in her thoughts to have not seen him approach. She was supposed to be being alert and she had let this man sneak up on her. Well technically she had come upon him as he was already at her destination. His face was cast in shadow but she felt some sort of ease and closeness with him that really seemed unnatural to her.
"Well I live just here sir so…." She began unsure but stopped when he turned to her.
"Forgive me darling, I didn't mean to startle you"
He emerged from the shadows to the light and Kara looked at him for a moment to try and identify him.
It hit her hard a suddenly, it was the man she had seen from her carriage window. The man that had caused such a stir within her. Her mouth suddenly went dry at being in such close proximity with him. She gulped, gave him a small nervous smile and shrugged her shoulders.
"I just didn't expect to find a strange man lurking outside my home".
She all but swooned when he gave her a smile back and somewhat nodded in understanding.
"Understandable" he agreed.
"Is there anything I can help you with Mr..?" she asked only know realising that she still didn't know the man's name.
"Mikaelson" he began holding out his arm in order to take her hand in greeting "Kol Mikaelson"
Kara only glared at him both in shock and disbelief.
"Your name is…Kol?" she asked her voice shaking "Mikaelson?"
Kol nodded and looked at her concerned.
A sudden and sharp pain ripped through her head and she squinted her eyes shut in an effort to quell it, it intensified and she doubled over holding both hands to her head. The name seemed to echo in her head over and over.
'Kol Mikaelson'
'My name is Kol Mikaelson'
'Mikaelson'
'Kol, Kol Mikaelson'
Images passed through her mind, of dreams she had had long ago. Of a young boy, a toddler holding out a hand to her and telling her…
'I'm Kol Mikaelson'
Of a young girl using her perspective screaming for…
'Kol!'
This repeated over and over until finally, after what felt like an age it ceased.
She opened her eyes slowly and realised she was still standing, albeit doubled over and facing the ground.
"Are you alright?" Kol asked and Kara could clearly hear his voice tinged with worry "What's the matter?"
She looked to him and realised he had held and arm out to steady her while she was having her 'episode'. She was suddenly mortified and pulled away making his arm fall from hers and back to its position by his waist. It was a miracle that she hadn't dropped any of the vials of Vervain but she did notice her knuckles look tightly grasped around the glassware.
"I'm fine, just a…headache" she lied failing to meet Kol's eyes "Are you going to tell me what you are doing here now or should I alert the sheriff?"
Kol knew what she was doing, attempting to change the subject so he would worry about her, but he did and he never stopped, not since the day they had met as infants over eight-hundred-years-ago.
"I came to greet you, well your family" Kol explained using the excuse he had thought of on the way over to the Veritas estate. He had decided that the best course of action was to come to the house himself and attempt to identify the woman that was causing his seer so much grief. It was the way he had planned on reintroducing himself to Kara but it would have to make do if her life was at risk.
"I moved to the town only this week and I was hoping to introduce myself to everyone "he continued.
Kara looked at him sceptically her headache not yet gone but not strong either. She checked the time on her pocket watch.
"At quarter to eleven at night?"
Kol let out a breathy laugh.
'My Kara' he thought 'Observant and cautious as always'
"I daresay I didn't realise how late it was" he chuckled half-heartedly "I've just come from Europe and I suppose I haven't adjusted to the time difference yet"
Kara's ears perked up.
"You're British right? The accent?"
Kol nodded.
"I spent some time there, I actually come from around these parts would you believe" he replied indicating around himself.
"But I have never seen you before" Kara inserted hardly meaning to say her vigilant thoughts aloud. In truth she was trying to decipher the dreams she had had as a child and wondered whether they had come from seeing him in a park somewhere or anywhere for that matter during her childhood. She thought not for she knew she would have remembered him, his eyes, his smile.
"Oh I left a long time ago" Kol responded giving Kara a smile that she was now coming to know as the 'trademark' smile.
"You're not that old" Kara said she too responding with a small smile despite her reservations.
Kol shrugged.
"I may surprise you".
Kara nodded.
"You may indeed"
They stood in silence for a few moments. It was somehow a comfortable silence and Kara wondered what kind of thrall this man had upon her to make her feel such things.
"It's late" Kol said finally "I should leave; I'll make my acquaintance with your father tomorrow".
"No!" Kara shouted suddenly and urgently. She cringed at herself, at her behaviour. As much as she didn't want Kol to leave, she also didn't want to re-enter a house where Katherine Pierce was the only topic of conversation.
Kol turned back to her in a gaze that almost looked loving. She looked into his eyes for a few more milliseconds before shaking that idea from her head.
"My father still seems to be up and I am sure he would welcome a distraction from my brothers' badgering of him".
Kol smiled the 'trademark' smile once again and nodded.
"If you're sure".
Kara nodded.
"It would be a wasted journey on your part otherwise, would it not?"
"Not entirely" he replied looking Kara up and down and making her cheeks turn warm with the attention. It was during this moment that she was grateful to be under the glow of the street lamps that cast an orange glow over most of everything including ones face.
Kol and Kara made for the front door when Kara suddenly realised something. She gasped and stopped in her tracks which made Kol stall immediately in concern
"I'm not supposed to be out here" she concluded looking to the Mikaelson almost for inspiration for an idea.
"Defying your father's wishes I see" Kol observed a wide grin adorning his face. He looked down at her through adoring eyes and couldn't help but think that she was exactly the same Kara that he had lost all of those years ago. That he could close his eyes now and pretend that no time had passed. In a way she was the same Kara, but she didn't know that.
Kara couldn't help but copy the grin that he wore so well it was contagious.
"It doesn't happen very often, I swear"
Kol looked at her disbelieving that very fact.
"I will sneak in first" Kara began thinking the plan up in her head as she went along "Wait five minutes and knock. I will answer and we shall tell father that we met earlier and that you wanted to be introduced to him, understand?"
Kol nodded.
"I think I have the gist yes".
"Good" Kara nodded pushing her arm from under her cloak in an effort to open the door. The doorknob clicked as she turned it and she pushed it open as little as she could in order to keep the silence.
Once it was open enough for her to fit through she turned to Kol.
"I shall see you in a moment"
Kol nodded and couldn't help but laugh a little at her behaviour. It had been a long time since he had been a part of these light-hearted, trivial moments and he was beginning to enjoy himself.
Once inside Kara was relieved to see the double doors of the dining room still closed and she could still hear the continuous chatting coming from the depths within. She made her way to the other side of the hallway where an oak side-board sat. She took off her cloak and gently wrapped the three vials of Vervain inside it before stuffing it in one of the cupboards that Kara knew only housed a cracked vase that her father seemed to like and didn't want to be rid of for some reason. She closed the cupboard quietly and began to tip-toe to the base of the stairs to await Kol's knock when a voice caught her off guard.
"My my aren't we home a tad past bedtime" she looked behind her to see Katherine emerging boastfully from the end of the long hallway that led to the front room. She sighed knowing it was just her and that her father and brothers were still safe and enjoying themselves in the dining room. Katherine's hair was informally messy and her clothes looked as though they had been redressed in a hurry. Kara recoiled at the thoughts that were entering her mind as to why she looked so askew.
"I don't know what you are talking about Katherine" Kara replied. She had been beginning to have a good night and she really wasn't in the mood for Katherine ruining it.
"Tut tut" Katherine taunted condescendingly "What would Papa Salvatore say if he knew his baby girl was out until eleven o'clock? After he grounded her as well?"
Katherine wagged her index finger at her.
"Such unbecoming behaviour for a lady".
Kara rolled her eyes.
"I'm sure he doesn't even care, not with you around the place"
Katherine made a disgusted face.
"Giuseppe has been very sweet to me, lending me his two boys to play with and all but how do I say this?" she paused for a moment and Kara could tell that it was almost for dramatic effect "He's old so no thanks"
Kara laughed sarcastically.
"That's rich, coming from you"
The words were out of her mouth before she could even stop them and she could see Katherine's face change from one of amusement to that of inquisitive.
"What is that supposed to mean?" she seethed out, the veins under her eyes becoming more prominent and the whites of her eyes becoming bloodshot and red.
Kara couldn't even think of a defence, she just stood startled on the spot. Luckily for her Emily descended the stairs behind her at that very moment.
"Katherine" she said first before realising that Kara was standing there and she changed her address to "Miss Pierce, I need to talk with you". Katherine seemed to debate whether to leave with Emily or to attack Kara, both seemed quite appealing to her presently but fortunately for Kara she had decided that her curiosity outweighed her hunger and moved with Emily to the end of the hall to conduct their private conversation.
Kara only had time to let out a small sigh of relief when the long awaited knock sounded on the front door.
Kara counted to five and then ran unceremoniously to the door.
"I will get it" she shouted loud enough to alert her father and brothers in the dining room so they would be aware that someone else was entering the house.
She opened the door to see Kol standing there with a grin on his face. How was it possible that he looked even more appealing to her than he did moments before?
"Did it work?" he asked still standing at the doorway.
"Perhaps" she concluded looking to the hallway where Katherine and Emily had disappeared down.
"Come in" she ushered him closing the door lightly behind him.
It was then when the dining room door opened. Damon entered the entrance hall first followed by Giuseppe. Both had investigative frowns on their faces as they studied Kol carefully. Stefan then exited into the room, looking a little more drunk than Kara had ever seen him before.
"What is the meaning of this?" Giuseppe asked looking at the man who had interrupted their leisurely drinking so late at night.
"Forgive me father but I happened upon Mr Mikaelson in town earlier today and after all that happened I completely forgot to mention that he wanted to call tonight and introduce himself" Kara spoke.
"At eleven o'clock at night?" Giuseppe asked "I think not".
"It is my fault father. Mr Mikaelson told me he had business in town and I told him he may call at this hour. I told him that we all would still be absent from our beds".
Giuseppe seemed to weigh this statement up momentarily before deciding his gentlemanly duty was more important that any impertinence on the guests part.
"I'm Giuseppe Salvatore" Giuseppe announced holding out his hand to Kol in an offer of friendship.
"Kol Mikaelson" Kol responding shaking the man's hand.
"These are my son's Damon and Stefan and of course you have already met my daughter Kara".
Kol greeted both Damon and Stefan respectfully both with a handshake, Stefan responding a bit sloppy with his.
It was then when Katherine rounded the corner, looking a little calmer than she had before, to observe the commotion occurring in the entrance hall, Emily in tow. Kol noticed the latter, the power ebbing off of her and by the way she looked at him he assumed that she knew of the power he had also.
"Ah" Damon almost squealed excitedly noticing the woman of his affections in the corner "This is the most lovely and endearing Katherine Pierce"
Kara felt uncomfortable at this, hoping beyond hope that Kol would not do like her brothers had done and fall for Katherine. She was not prepared for this to become a three-way battle.
Katherine held out her hand to Kol, batting her eyelashes hard at him.
"A pleasure Sir, Mr?"
"Mikaelson" Damon clarified for her his arm enrapturing her waist as if subconsciously claiming her as his.
"Michaelson" Katherine tested on her tongue "Such a common name isn't it?" She said looking to both Damon and Stefan to elicit a chuckle at her small slur.
Kol smirked. This was definitely the brunette 'K' he was looking for but somehow the name Katherine wasn't ringing any bells for him.
"Not the way I spell it love" he replied causing the smile to fade from her face. He too noticed this and realised that she must be recognising him from somewhere. Whether it was by the tone of his voice or his accent he didn't know, he just observed her swallow hard and cast her gaze to the floor.
"Kara shouldn't you be in bed?" Giuseppe snapped obviously still upset with what had happened earlier.
Kara so wanted to stay. For some reason it was the first time she had actually felt safe in her house since Katherine had come to live with them but she didn't want to push her luck.
"Yes father" she replied "Good night everyone".
"It was a pleasure speaking with you Miss Salvatore" Kol announced a genuine small seeming to appear on his face that she couldn't help but send him one back.
She nodded with her smile.
"Goodnight Mr Mikaelson"
"Goodnight" he replied. He waited until she was out of sight from the stairs before he continued his conversation with Giuseppe.
"Thank you for your hospitality Mr Salvatore but I shall take my leave now and hopefully make a more ambitious round of conversation with you at a more reasonable hour".
Giuseppe nodded at this.
"Very well, thank you for making the effort to meet us Mr Mikaelson; I daresay we shall meet again".
Kol nodded his departure to the Salvatore boys and a stricken-looking Katherine and left the house.
He waited a moment, using his enhanced hearing to hear the occupants inside moving about before using his vampire quickness to speed to the back of the house.
The kitchen was empty and dark when he entered and he moved through the winding mazes of corridors and stairs until he found her. His target, the witch. He sped at her and pinned her face-first up against the wall to prevent her from using any of her magic against him.
She grunted in pain as he held her arms at an unnatural angle.
"I have the greatest of respect for witches so don't make me hurt you" Kol said calmly.
"What do you want?" Emily asked.
"That Katherine woman" Kol began "She is a v…."
"A vampire yes" Emily replied before the question had even been put to her.
"Who is she really?" Kol asked.
"What do you mean?" Emily asked a little confused.
"I don't believe for a moment that that is her real name, she knows me and I don't recall anyone by the name Pierce".
Emily sighed.
"Can you stop her?"
"Yes" he replied.
Emily removed herself from his grasp and looked him directly in the eyes.
"Her name is Katerina Petrova, and I believe she had had some history with your brothers"
Kol looked astonished at this announcement.
"The Petrova doppelgänger" Kol said in realisation.
Emily nodded.
"Yes".
Kol grinned widely.
"I can use that".
"Just make sure that you stop her" Emily replied "She has done unspeakable things to many people"
"As have I little witch" Kol replied.
Emily shrugged before moving off of the wall.
"I am not indebted to you"
With that she walked away.
Kol smirked to himself, this 'K' problem may now in fact be the saving grace he needed to get back his brothers good books.
Hey everyone so that was chapter 15. Hope you liked it. I actually found the start of this chapter pretty hard to write which was strange because it was one of the first I actually planned out : O I am happy with how it turned out though so I hope you all like it too! : )
I know I said I wanted to wait until the ball to have Kol and Kara meet but it seemed right to have them meet now, it just fit and I think that if Kol found out something that could harm Kara's safety then he wasn't about to wait around for something to happen.
Please, please let me know what you thought of this chapter and the developments….I feel like a lot happened and I just want to know your opinions.
This was also my longest chapter and I just want to know if you prefer long chapters or shorter chapters more often? Please let me know!
Thanks a million for reading guys! xxxxxxxxx