Please ignore any errors. I wrote this on my phone, at airports and during family car rides.

"Just to be clear. You realize that I don't read or speak Spanish?"

Caroline rolled her eyes while she juggled her suitcases and the keycard to their suite. The August heat of Barcelona was cool in comparison to the blistering humidity of Virginia. For all of her Mom's complaining, she knew Liz appreciated the difference in temperature. This summer had been brutal.

"And your daughter is a vampire. I agreed not to wake you up at dawn, not to plan out an itinerary and to relax. Your half of this deal was to not judge the occasional, emergency use of compulsion and to stay up till at least ten so your daughter isn't bored."

"I remember." Liz huffed, but Caroline caught the smile she tried to hide by ducking to adjust her luggage. Caroline didn't even bother trying to hide her smile. She was so damn happy to be here. Two weeks to eat new food, to get lost on adventures and to do something stupid. Her and her Mom's first real vacation in years.

Caroline had wanted to somewhere that required a passport the summer after she graduated, but Liz had been hurt in an 'incident.' Caroline still got pissed thinking about it, and even more so if she remembered Damon's refusal to give her details. Ass.

Thankfully, it hadn't been life threatening, but it'd taken a few months of physical therapy before she was back on her feet. Liz had refused any vampire blood to make her recovery go faster; Caroline had been furious.

They'd fought about it.

The argument about blood had escalated into Caroline demanding to know why Liz was taking so many risks. Liz hadn't appreciated being questioned. It had taken weeks before they'd been able to sit down and hash it out. Caroline was sure they'd fight about it again. But for now, they had beaches and sangrias to explore.

She refused to let anything ruin this. Not after the years it took to even get her mom to agree to take two weeks off with no cellphone. She was far closer to thirty than she'd thought she'd be on her first adventure with her mom. They were going to make the best of it.

"Come on. This'll be great. We haven't had this much time together in years!"

"I'm aware," Liz said, stepping into their rooms. Caroline hurried in after her, biting her lip to stifle a laugh at her Mom's expression. She'd stalked the internet (and possibly used a tiny bit of compulsion she refused to feel guilty about) to find this place. And she'd gotten them a suite, with two rooms and a shared common space. The only request Liz had made was to pick one city and stay there. So Caroline had gotten them enough space to have some privacy.

"The master is yours. It's got the better view. It's not that late in the afternoon. Shower before we head out?"

Liz visibly reeled herself in. "I think I might nap. That flight was longer than I'd expected."

Caroline bit the side of her tongue. Blood would help with the jet lag, but her mom wouldn't take it. And she wouldn't pick a fight about it. Not today.

"Alright. I'll hit up the bar downstairs, then. Put some feelers out about dinner."

Liz nodded. "That sounds good. Just don't go crazy about it. We can do something more adventurous later."

Caroline held up both hands. "I promise!"

She'd need to find a bite to eat herself, anyway. Her mom hadn't asked about packing blood bags, and Caroline hadn't offered any information. She still preferred to eat that way, but feeding from people was less risky when traveling. At least now that she put a decade of being a vampire behind her.

Caroline made sure her mom was settled before hauling her suitcases into her room. She took a moment to take in the decorations and layout, smiling so hard her cheeks hurt. Reigning her excitement in, she determinedly headed to her suitcase. Unpacking didn't take long, but her hands hesitated over an envelope she'd chucked in at the last moment.

Chewing on her lip, she turned it over several times, considering. It'd shown up at her apartment three days ago, tucked under her door. There was no note, just a key and a handwritten address. She recognized the handwriting immediately, had been unable to contain her curiosity. Google had been helpful - the satellite maps even more so.

Klaus - or a minion - had left her a key to what at best guest looked like a villa. She didn't know if he owned it, compelled someone to let her use it or what. But part of her - the part that had teeth - was curious. The rest of her was amused and a touch alarmed. Stalker much?

But as much as she itched to see what it was, for whatever reason she'd kept the key; she wouldn't go. Not this trip. But maybe on the next one. When she was traveling for her, she'd let him bribe her a little. She touched the key with her fingertips and thought about the heat of his kiss. Biting her lower lip, she gave herself a moment to brush against the memories she'd boxed away and avoided. Hot skin. Blunt teeth. The rough glide of his tongue.

Shuddering, she forced those thoughts aside. Besides, when had she ever made this that easy on him? Still, he continued to honor the promise between them. Oh, only an idiot would think he didn't keep an eye on her. She was mostly certain that Rebekah was in and out of her life now because there might have been something like friendship between them. Give them another hundred years, and they might really be friends. But she also didn't doubt that Klaus was somewhere in the shadows, keeping an eye on them. Maybe not personally, but he was there.

But this was the first time he'd reached out tangibly. Testing the waters? She didn't know. Chewing on her lip, she tucked it back into her clothes.

This was her vacation with her mom. Older-than-dirt-hybrids aside, she refused to let anything supernatural bother her. She'd avoided that drama since she'd left home and that streak could continue for another fifty or sixty years. Anything that tried would regret it.

There wasn't anything she wouldn't do for her mom.

Changing into a fresh set clothes, Caroline headed out. It didn't take long to find the hotel bar. It was quiet, the time of day wrong for a crowd. But there'd be plenty of people later and plenty of little nooks for a quick bite. Currently though, it was just her and the bartender.

A sangria wasn't blood, but it would do.

A few minutes and some light flirting later, she was cheerfully sitting on a barstool and using her phone to read reviews on local restaurants. The bartender had given her some suggestions, but she wanted to give her mom some options.

Surely this didn't count as going overboard?

"Hello, Care."

Caroline froze.

Slowly, she turned and stared at Tyler Lockwood in disbelief. Why was he standing in a bar with her in Barcelona? They hadn't spoken in years. The last time Bonnie had brought Tyler up, she'd admitted no one had spoken to him in ages. Caroline was certain it'd be another couple of decades before they'd see each other again.

There last fight had been vicious. A year after he broke up with her, he tracked her down to her dorm at NYU. She'd shown up to find him packing her bag with a cutting smile and a promise he'd packed her curling iron.

She'd refused to go without an explanation. Not after he'd been so angry about Klaus, after he'd walked away from her. Besides, finals were in two weeks. He'd promised it was a short trip to New Orleans, just the weekend and she'd exploded.

She refused to be bait. Ever again, for anyone. The fight had been loud, with Tyler breaking her lamps and roaring his fury. But she'd held her ground. She was done.

When she turned to deal with the cops banging on her door, he'd disappeared out the window. She'd known he was determined to get his revenge - hadn't he walked away when she'd asked him to stay? Picked revenge on Klaus over her? But as she stood in her ruined dorm room, she'd realized something else.

Forever was a long time. She couldn't imagine living endlessly for revenge. She knew she'd be tempted - vampires held grudges, and while they might choose to let something go, they didn't forgive and forget. But she wouldn't be Tyler, driven by rage and bitterness.

She hadn't seen or spoken to him since.

Tyler looked thin. His face was sharply angled, a vampire refusing blood. That was dangerous. But it was his eyes that worried her. Hallowed, empty of anything she'd once recognized. He looked hunted.

"Tyler?"

"Hello, Caroline."

She shook her head. "Why are you here? You've made it perfectly clear that we're done. We aren't even friends anymore."

And seeing him was a kick in the gut, but not how she'd once thought it might be. Because what hurt was the memory, and standing in front of him like this didn't leave her winded. She didn't reach for him with hands or heart, and it was nice to know that it was done.

"I need your help, Care." He sat on a stool, watched her from dark eyes she couldn't read.

"What happened?" She asked warily. She shook her head as the bartender walked over, uneasy at having someone vulnerable so close.

Tyler didn't help the situation, staring down the man until he walked away. Seemingly satisfied, he clenched his fists. "It's Klaus."

Caroline held up her hand, shifting to put more space between them. "Stop. I made it clear I wasn't getting involved in anyone's games with my Mom still alive. Not after Silas. That I was done being your bait."

Tyler brought his fists down hard. Caroline gritted her teeth at the loud cracking noise. "This isn't like Mystic Falls. This isn't some petty, little game were the end is your panties."

"Don't be crude." Caroline snapped. "We both know that both the Sun and Moon curse, that Silas had nothing to do with me. And you pulled me into the hybrid mess."

He laughed, the sound harsh. "Stop being a selfish bitch, Caroline. I'm here in a foreign country, asking for help. He knows you're here - it's the perfect time to hit him. Then we can all just, move on with our lives."

Caroline shook her head. "Nothing is ever that simple. And we both know we can't kill him, we can't kill any of them. But let's say you're right. Then what? Eventually they'll free themselves from wherever scenario you've planned. Our life expectancy after that will be very short. Or worse - they could decide to let us live. I won't live looking over my shoulder."

"So I take it you haven't heard yet then." His mouth twisted, expression bitter.

"Heard what Tyler? What's so important that you've tracked me here? How'd you know I was here in the first place?" She shoved her curls out of her face. "Why are you here - the part that doesn't involve me."

Tyler reached over the bar to grab a bottle of what might have been whiskey. Caroline glanced at the bartender and winced at his expression. She nodded to accept the charge.

"He killed them."

Her heart lurched in her chest. Tyler's face was bleak. She knew that expression and her heart hurt for the boy he'd been. "Who?"

"Haley. The baby. He purged the witches. They all did."

"Haley's dead?" She curled her fingers into the edge of the bar. "After everything he let her live through, what happened?"

She didn't know what to say about the baby. She didn't even understand exactly how that'd happen other than witches had been involved.

Tyler's shoulders hunched as he drank. "Five, six years ago. I came back from New York and they were gone. He'd snuffed out everyone. How do you do that? Kill so many people. He's neutered the witches and even Marcel won't touch him now."

Caroline swallowed. Klaus had been killing for a thousand years. Caroline didn't doubt he'd be around destroying things he perceived as a threat another thousand years from now. But Tyler wasn't wrong. That kind of display of strength would make anyone pause. She'd mostly avoided other vampires, but from what she'd picked up from Rebekah, from what little she'd heard from others those kind of killings weren't uncommon. It was just the newer vampires and the witches who were stupid enough to provoke them.

The Original Family brooked no sign of disloyalty. They allowed no discord and they rarely were so merciful as to grant death. It'd been a rude awakening, to realize the extent of what her group had gotten away with. Been allowed to get away with. All the ways Klaus could have forced her, all the ways he hadn't.

She had no intention of getting pulled back into the destroy-Klaus-bubble. Regardless of her own confused feelings about the hybrid; she'd learned to pick her own battles, and Klaus was not one of them. Not yet, anyway. Not unless he gave her a reason. And the biggest reason was sleeping upstairs.

"Tyler, I don't understand. What can you do? What do you think I can do?"

Tyler spun in the stool, staring at her. "I have a plan. I found some witches. They've agreed to help. We just need you. Like I said, he wouldn't expect you to double cross him. Not with all the time you've been spending with his sister."

Caroline stepped back. "How do you know about that?"

"Everyone pays attention to to who the Originals are seen with." He took another drink. "What's with that, Caroline? You hated her. She hated you. Now you're best friends."

"Rebekah and I aren't friends." But saying it out loud made something in her gut twist. It surprised her. She wanted to defend Rebekah. "It doesn't matter. I haven't talked to Klaus in years."

"You expect me to believe that? Klaus, who'd give you anything you wanted if you'd just drop your panties?" Tyler tossed back more whiskey. "Oh, that's right. You already did that. Don't you think you owe me, Caroline? For that betrayal?"

"Making deals with witches is a bad idea." Caroline said firmly, ignoring his comment.

His face twisted. "But you'll make them with Klaus. Was it worth it? Whoring yourself for freedom?"

Caroline stared at him. "You don't know what you're talking about. Just stop it. If you're determined to do this, go and do it, but leave me out if it."

The bottle of whiskey shattered on the bar and she jumped. Tyler turned to her and his eyes were flecked gold. "What about you're Mom? Does she know? How about ask I her? I bet she'd love to see the Originals dead."

"And me and you with them!" Caroline snapped back. Her pulse would be thumping if she still had one. Squaring her shoulders, she ignored the bartender who looked alarmed and was clearly calling the police. "Leave my Mom out of this!"

Tyler's eyes went cold. "He's gotten to you too, then. They said he might, that I should be prepared for it."

"What happened to you? Tyler, whatever this is it can't be worth your life."

His lips compressed as he stared at her. For a moment, the Tyler she knew looked at her. Then his eyes went flat.

"How about this? You contact Klaus. Tell him whatever you think will get him here - you've been bitten, your horny; I don't care. If you don't, I'll hurt you. I won't bite you, because you don't deserve death. But when I leave, I'll take your mom with me. Is she on vervain, Caroline? That's easy enough to bleed-out, but that's tough for humans."

Caroline reared back, but the beast under her skin crawled to life and she hissed. "Go to hell, Tyler."

He smiled, eyes bleeding yellow. Before she could move - she had to incapacitate him fast, he was bigger than her, could still bite - two vampires blurred into the room. They were coordinated, the faster of them going for his legs, the other wrenching his arms. Tyler arched his back, muscles bunching and twisting as he bucked. The furious, angry snarls made the hairs on her arms stand up. But Tyler was hogtied before he could get leverage, that lack of mass working against him. Then a bag was dropped over his head, and all noise from Tyler stopped.

Magic. She knew what magic looked like, and the straining, frozen body of Tyler was wrapped in it. She took several steps away from the vampires, but they ignored her. One went to the bartender, blurring to stop him from leaving and obviously compelling him.

The other spoke rapidly into his phone. She ignored him, looking for a way out. Obviously these two were old. Would they let her run? Did she dare go back to her mom? That type of attack took coordination. Precision. How old...

"Yes. She's unhurt, but it was clear he was threatening her. We didn't catch the particulars. The witches..."

He was interrupted by a growl. Caroline's head snapped around. She knew that growl.

"Klaus?" She was swamped by relief, but fast on its heels was anger. What was he doing that Tyler threatened her?

"Change of plans." Klaus said across the phone. "One of you will stay with her. Bring the mutt to me."

"Klaus?" Fury was better than shock or panic. "What the hell is going on?"

"Answer her questions." His tone was short. "I'll call back shortly."

"Answer them yourself. Now." She snapped, knowing he could hear her.

"Shortly, Caroline."

The familiar dial-tone made her teeth grind. Glare snapping to the vampire standing in front her, she studied him through narrowed eyes. His hair was an intermediate between blonde and brown, his face unremarkable. She doubted anyone really noticed him.

"Klaus sent you. To watch me or Tyler?"

He shook his head. "Would you like to sit?"

She pursed her lips and finally nodded. He sat carefully, keeping a barstool between them. His placed his cell on the counter and considered her, brows bunched.

"Well?" Caroline demanded. "What's Tyler doing that Klaus is tracking him?"

He looked at her, as if he couldn't quite figure something out. "You're not what I expected."

Caroline smiled at him. Her mom was sleeping upstairs, this was supposed to be her vacation and Tyler had just threatened them. "I'm sorry. Do I look like I'm catering to your expectations? Now, we both heard Klaus tell you to answer my questions, and you do not want me complaining when he calls back. Which we both know he will. So. Again. Klaus sent you. Why?"

"The hybrid has been under watch for some time. We were unfortunately detained, and unable to keep him from approaching you."

"Detained by witches?" Caroline asked.

"Yes."

She pursed her lips. Clearly, he was determined to only answer her questions. Thankfully, the cell between then rang. Caroline lunged for it, snatching it away from the nameless vampire.

"Is my Mom in danger because of your bullshit? Because that's going to make me even madder than I already am."

"I take it my vampire is disabled in some way, that he unable to answer his phone?"

"Don't you sass me. We both know you were calling to talk to me anyway." Caroline snarled, fingers tight on the phone.

"Hello, Caroline." His voice deepened and she could almost see his smile. "How are you liking Barcelona?"

She let a breath hiss out of her teeth. "First, stalking is creepy and unattractive. Second, none of your damn business. Why is Tyler trying to kill you - again - and why is he threatening me to do it?"

"There was an incident that had to be dealt with a few years ago. Tyler was left with his life. He seems determined to change that."

The iron in his voice made her pause. Standing, she left the bar, leaving her tab to the other vampire. Sneaking into a conference room she sat on a table.

"What does this have to do with Haley and the baby?"

Klaus said nothing for several moments. "I was unaware that you knew of that situation."

Caroline fidgeted with her shirt, smoothed it back down. "Tyler made a point to tell me. A few years ago. This time he seemed more interested in the number of witches you'd killed. I don't understand what's going on."

"Did he?" The smooth words made her brows bunch. "I might have a word with him about that."

Caroline sighed. "Klaus."

"The child wasn't mine." He said simply. "Once that was proven, the individuals involved were dealt with. It was unfortunate that a great number of them were friends of Tyler's, but I will not apologize for protecting my family."

How many witches were involved in something like that? What would it take to try to fool the hybrid, with a baby? Why would you try?

She'd process that later. "The baby?"

"Since it wasn't mine, once confirmed it was entirely human, Elijah made arrangements." His tone was cool.

Which meant that either Tyler had lied to her, Klaus was lying to her now or Tyler had told the truth as he knew it. Pinching the bridge of her nose she breathed in deeply. She didn't know what to think. Tyler was making deals with Witches and Klaus was clearly being... Klaus.

"Does Tyler know that?" She asked finally. "That the baby wasn't yours? That you didn't kill it?"

"Caroline, present company excluded, I am not interested in explaining myself. To anyone." His voice bit at her and she surged to her feet, temper flushing through her.

"Don't you snarl at me! I'm supposed to be on vacation!" She clenched her free hand. "Not dealing with this. With you."

"Well, love; if you recall, I've followed the terms of our deal." His voice was tight, barely contained temper making it vibrate.

Caroline unclenched her jaw. He was right, as infuriating as that was. Tyler had wanted to use her as bait. Tyler had threatened her. She blinked hard, forcing the sudden tears back.

"Okay. Fine." She breathed out slow. "I should be yelling at Tyler."

"That's not necessary." He said, voice softer. "In another hour, he'll no longer be in the country."

Caroline's shoulders locked up again. "What are you going to do to him?"

"What should've been done previously." He said calmly. "He frightened you."

"I don't want him dead." She snapped. She was furious, so damn angry with Tyler. But she refused to be responsible for his death.

"Oh, sweetheart. Death would be a mercy I'm unwilling to extend." His voice was still too soft. "Care to tell me what he said to frighten you? Perhaps I should guess? We both know the only reason he'd approach you is because he needed bait. I imagine at some point he threatened your mother?"

She went silent. Klaus would compel it out of Tyler. Everything. But she was torn. Habit demanded that she ask for mercy, but the monster under skin held her tongue. I'm sorry, she thought. But my mom. Not my mom.

"That's what I thought sweetheart."

Siting back on the edge of the table she stared at her nails. Was she a coward for not asking? For not fighting for someone who'd once been her friend. But the person under Tyler's skin was bitter and angry, and somehow blamed her. And what lived under her skin was dangerous too.

So she changed the subject. "Thank you for the offer of a place to stay."

"You're welcome." He said simply. "Will you go?"

"I don't know." She said finally. Was it safe? Safer than here? Were the witches using Tyler to hunt her going to be a problem? Did she take him up on the offer and tuck her mom away, somewhere she could relax and just...

"It's safe." He said into the silence, and her hand tightened on the phone. "There is a staff - all human - they know to expect you."

"Compelled?"

"If course." He said. "But only in ways that'll keep you or my family safe."

"Like that isn't a loaded statement." She shoved her hair out if her face. "I'll think about it."

"No debts between us, Caroline." He said quietly. "I will not hold this against you. Our deal is still in place."

Caroline tucked her lip between her teeth. "Are the witches going to be a problem?"

Klaus voice was edged in steel. "Not for long."

Caroline wrapped an arm around her waist. She blinked rapidly, but she heard the hitch in her voice when she spoke again. "I just wanted some time with my Mom."

"I know." He said.

She sighed. They both knew with her Mom in danger that they'd stay at the villa. She'd pack Liz up, put her in a car and go to the place that Klaus had made safe. She'd be unhappy about it, but she'd do it.

"Goodbye, Klaus."

"Have a good trip sweetheart." He voice slid across her skin like silk, and she shivered. She could almost feel him, when he used that tone. "Regardless of the circumstances, it was a delight to hear from you."

She hung up, staring at the phone dangling from nerveless fingers. Swallowing, she shut her eyes. She'd wanted to ask if he'd known about the witches, Tyler... but truth was if he had, he'd have killed Tyler before she'd stepped foot off the plane.

Huffing, she left the phone behind.

How was she going to explain this to her Mom?

Klaus studied the half-drawn image in front of him. Caroline's eyes were sad. He tapped his pencil against the paper, eyes narrowing. Rebekah complained that he was taking his need for a muse too far. But if the last decade had taught him anything, it was no amount of drawing pushed her out from under his skin. Not after having her under his hands, the slick heat of her against his tongue and wrapped around him. Instead of satisfying his need, she'd only stoked it. He leashed his desire, but only distanced allowed his promise to hold.

He hoped he haunted her as she haunted him.

Bringing his pencil back up, Klaus worked on his shading. Besides, he was aware of the apartment in New York; how often Rebekah deliberately harassed Caroline. He hadn't said anything, waiting to see how that played out.

"I'm told we're expecting company."

Klaus glanced up at his brother. Smiled. "Indeed. Shouldn't be long now."

Elijah adjusted his sleeves, expression considering. "I must admit, I was surprised that you allowed him to leave the first time."

"Until today, Lockwood's continued existence was simply entertainment. Unfortunately, he has yet to develop a sense of self-preservation."

"Ah yes, Miss Forbes." Elijah walked to the table that held a decanter and poured himself a drink. "I hear Barcelona's vampire population dropped. Anyone over three hundred, to be exact. Can we expect the witches to face a similar purge?"

"Now, Elijah." Klaus chided. "Few witches reach a century, much less three."

"There are those who begin to notice that your eye is not solely on New Orleans. The boy may have run his mouth."

Klaus glanced up. "We'll know soon enough. But make no mistake, brother. Caroline Forbes is a blade. Besides, I'd have thought you'd approve of my gestures. Romantic, don't you think?"

"Is she even aware that you're making a gesture?" Elijah asked. "Some of those killed were loyal."

"She's mine." Klaus said, pencil gliding across paper. "The rest are expendable."

Elijah frowned, considering. "She has shown no inclination of agreeing to your many offers."

Klaus smiled. "She doesn't want Lockwood's death."

"One would think death would be a preferable punishment." Elijah said slowly. "This is his third defiance. There will not be another. Surely, she grasps that?"

"He threatened her mortal mother." Klaus closed his sketch book and stood, joining Elijah for a drink. "I will not brook any interference where she is concerned, Elijah."

Rebekah breezed in, rolling her eyes as she stole Elijah's tumbler and finished it. "He gets quite irritable when you jest about the cheerleader."

Klaus arched a brow. "I thought you were out."

"Elijah called. Suggested we make this a family event." She shrugged. "Did she agree to the villa?"

"I cannot imagine how that's any of your business." Klaus snapped.

"I must say, her best attribute is the way she continues to irritate you," Rebekah said. "And don't yell at me for your own incompetence."

"I believe," Elijah said calmly, cutting through the growing argument. "That our guests have arrived."

Klaus turned, smile on his face as Tyler was escorted in. The hybrid looked furious, but the gag certainly could play a part in that. It looked as if the blood he'd been forced fed after having the vervain bled from him had done wonders.

Perfect.

"Tyler! Welcome to New Orleans. I'm sure you remember my older brother, Elijah. And of course, darling Rebekah."

Klaus smiled at the way Tyler's muscles bunched and twisted, but tied with spelled vervain ropes, it was futile. Setting down his drink, Klaus clasped his hands behind his back and paced.

"I'd chide you for not saying hello, but that gag keeps it from being a possibility. It's quite a clever enchantment. You remember the Bennett witch? Smart girl. Very interested in keeping Caroline safe, even if the deal is with the devil."

Tyler struggled and Klaus tsked. "Oh, you're thinking of the bargain I made with Caroline? I'm assure you, I haven't set foot inside Mystic Falls, and have no intention of returning. My girl is very... persuasive. Now, what are we going to do with you?"

Tyler glared at him, expression defiant.

"Such temper. And after all my benevolence towards you." He shook his head. "You see, Tyler, your problem is that you continue to assume twenty-something years of life in some way compensates for a thousand years of existence. I could forgive that. You're hardly the first or last, and the occasional entertainment keeps the ennui at bay."

Rebecca poured herself drink. "So does killing, and it's far less annoying."

"My sister has a point." Klaus agreed. "We shall take that into consideration at a later date. Now, where was I... ah, yes. Caroline. You know of my affection for her, and you've tried to use that against me. For the last time, I might add."

Tyler visibly struggled. Klaus let him, face and eyes chilling as he stared down the last of his hybrid creations. What Tyler had never comprehended, what he still refused to grasp was that he was never going to win. It might've taken centuries - might still - but eventually, Caroline would've grow bored with Tyler. She would have found herself drawn back to him and while she might make him work for it, he'd win. Caroline wasn't the prize - she was the campaign, the kingdom, and the crown. He'd only loved once before and what a weak, paltry thing it had been compared to the beast that now lived in his chest.

But Tyler had thrown that which Klaus prized away. Had tried to grind it to ash under his boot, had wished to use it for only gain. If Caroline thought he'd missed that hitch in her breathing, that small tell of tears then she was being deliberately obtuse.

"What you're unable to comprehend," Klaus continued. "What you've continued to ignore are the lengths I'm willing go to keep such a weakness safe. And now, you've simply outlived your usefulness."

Klaus studied him, allowing himself to savor this moment. The Tyler-of-tomorrow would be a broken, leashed creature that lived only by his will. Maybe he'd give him to Rebekah for a few decades. She did enjoy breaking her toys.

"Perhaps I could've been persuaded to end your misery. I might've been willing to overlook your many betrayals. Caroline would have asked it of me, had she known your fate. I imagine you once counted on that. But then you threatened Elizabeth Forbes."

Rebekah looked up, eyes sharpening. "Her mother? How? They're in Barcelona."

Klaus causally kicked Tyler's legs out from under him, forcing him to his knees. Bone snapped, and Tyler shuddered with pain unable to cry out.

"I believe that'll be one of the questions we have answered tonight. That and what exactly the witches wanted with them both. Elijah, I may need you to visit Spain soon." Klaus considered Tyler. "Up for an evening with a guest, sister?"

Rebekah smiled. "We haven't hosted anyone in ages."

Elijah glanced at her. "Would you mind company?"

Rebekah arched both brows. "Why?"

"I'm curious. If I am to travel, I'd like to have certain particulars."

Klaus shrugged. "Be welcome."

Reaching down, Klaus gripped Tyler by the hair and hefted him to eye level. Tyler struggled, but it did him little good as Klaus' pupils went wide.

"Be still."

Tyler went motionless, body locking into place.

"You'll remember this, Tyler." Klaus told him quietly. "At the end, should it come, and every moment in between. You'll remember being on your knees, your life at my discretion for the third and final time. And you'll know that you live because Caroline didn't want your death."

Tyler stared at him, muscles trembling. Klaus smiled, iron in his eyes; his dimples touched by nightmares.

"Because you threatened her mother. Did you ask her to be bait? Threaten the one person she'd risk anything for? Ah, still can't talk. Don't worry. I'll have the details. And I promise you, you'll regret your choices before I'm done with you."

He watched it sink in. Watched the rage, the horror bloom in his eyes. Saw the beginnings of understanding and finally, the smallest flicker of fear.

They didn't need compulsion to break someone. Not after a thousand years. Oh, they'd use it. But not till later. Not until the hopelessness sank in.

"And Tyler - hybrids can live forever. We'll see how long I decide to let you. Rebekah?"

Rebekah smiled. "Welcome to our home, Tyler. I'm sure we'll enjoy your stay."

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