Edited by the very patient and amazing klovec. Thanks also to Maevelin for all her help and encouragement.
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Caroline stepped out of the limousine Elijah sent. The Mikaelson mansion loomed over her, the windows lit up and glowing like the eyes in a Halloween jack-o-lantern. Dread shadowed her heart and she nearly jumped when a hybrid servant opened the elegantly carved door. He waited for her to enter and she hesitated, anxiety nipping at her nerves. Caroline would never have come back here on her own. Except she couldn't refuse the invitation sent on black-banded ivory stationary, penned in old-fashioned calligraphy from Elijah's own hand.
He offered dinner and a chance to create a treaty between her friends and Klaus. With Elena, Damon, Stefan and Bonnie all receiving invites she was assured she wouldn't be alone with Klaus. She didn't trust herself near him, even with her fury at his marking her. After canceling the meeting with Elena and the Salvatore brothers that morning she ended up at Bonnie's. The two of them spent the whole day pouring over grimoires, searching for a way to destroy the mark on her neck - to no avail.
The servant holding the door cleared his throat to catch her attention. "They're waiting for you in the drawing room." He bowed his head with respect like she was someone of great importance.
"Ummm…Thanks." Still unused to such treatment, Caroline gave the hybrid an awkward smile. She walked into the grand entry and came to an abrupt stop. She didn't know there was a drawing room, let alone where it was.
Elijah stepped out from the shadows, the chandeliers bathing him in light. "Caroline. You look lovely."
Ever elegant in a black suit that appeared to be tailored to his exact measurements, gold cufflinks glinting, she wondered if she was underdressed. She smoothed the front of her short jade lace dress. She picked it out for the Mystic Falls police department's annual dinner earlier this fall and received lots of compliments about how beautiful it looked on her. Taking confidence from the memory, she graced him with one of her most polite smiles.
"Thank you."
"I hope you don't mind if I continue to call you Caroline rather than Miss Forbes? I believe the discarding of such formalities to be acceptable now considering our familial relationship."
Caroline winced at the gentle reminder of her status within the Original family. "Caroline is fine. Thank you."
"And, I would appreciate it if you would call me Elijah."
She swallowed, not sure if she would ever feel comfortable addressing him by his given name. Klaus intimidated her more than enough but Elijah was a whole different level of scary. He waited for her to answer and at last she nodded.
His warm brown eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "After our conversation last night I wanted to greet you first and put you at ease. Niklaus and I have spent a great portion of the day discussing how things stand between the two of you and your friends." Elijah pursed his lips as if the conversations did not please him in the least. "He has promised to be on his best behavior this evening."
"Unless Klaus has promised to remove his mark and let Elena go, we have nothing to talk about."
"After some persuasion, I believe he is willing to make a few concessions," Elijah replied with great care. "If I might counsel you in turn?"
"You can. But, I will not promise to follow your advice." Caroline tilted her head and gazed into his eyes. Where she expected irritation at her boldness, she saw only warm friendliness.
"Give my brother a chance. Some time. This reincarnation business, while difficult for you, has driven him nearly insane in his pursuit of you."
Caroline started to speak, only to be cut off by a gentle wave of his hand.
"He is terrified of losing you again. It is a part of what drives his obsession for you. I am not asking you to blindly accept him and his demands, but I beg you for patience before you make any rash decisions you might regret. You might not like the consequences."
A gentleman's threat wrapped in silk and politeness. It hit Caroline hard. While she kept Klaus at bay, what behavior would she be responsible for? He once killed her friends to deal with his burgeoning feelings for her. What would he do now with her rejection of his mark? Fear washed over Caroline, a ball of emotion forming in her throat. Elijah was proving to be Klaus' greatest weapon. Still, she refused to be cowed.
"He will not like my consequences if he cannot control his murderous tendencies." Caroline set her head at a stubborn angle.
What looked to be respect flickered in Elijah's eyes and he nodded. "Niklaus chose well. You shall handle him just fine." He held out his arm for her to take like a gentleman from one of those romantic historical movies she enjoyed. "If I might escort you?"
"Of course." Caroline set her hand lightly on his arm. "Are my friends here yet?"
"Not at this time. I hope you don't mind…I spoke to Elena and requested the she let the others know I changed the time of dinner for thirty minutes from now."
Anger marched into Caroline's chest and she stopped in her steps. "Why did you do that?"
"I wished for some time as a family before everyone else interferes."
"Pfft. Family?" Caroline paused, reconsidered her next words and took a deep calming breath before she insulted Klaus' brother. "While I appreciate your kindness —"
"Elijah," he interjected, a cool smile on his lips.
"Elijah." The name fell stiff from her mouth. "Your kindness is most appreciated, but I have no intention of keeping this mark and being Klaus' wife."
"Ah. Then we shall enjoy your company for long as we have you."
His voice carried a smugness Caroline did not appreciate in the least. With a tight smile, she allowed him to continue to escort her.
A hybrid servant opened the set of closed doors in front of them and Caroline wanted to laugh at the pretense. Closed doors didn't offer privacy to anyone here. Every Original and hybrid ear in the whole mansion heard her conversation with Elijah.
She walked into the room to find Rebekah dressed in flowing, red chiffon. Klaus' sister tottered towards her with a glass of champagne in her hand.
"Caroline!" Rebekah squealed. "We're truly sisters now."
She attempted to put some distance between them, only to be gathered in Rebekah's arms. Somehow the girl managed to hug her without spilling a drop of her champagne.
"It has been my greatest desire forever to have another girl around here." Rebekah pointed her glass at her brothers. "This lot drives me crazy with all their bloody stupid boy stuff."
"Rebekah, give Caroline a chance to breathe or at least me get her a drink before you suffocate her with your enthusiasm. I think we quite overwhelm her." Elijah's voice rumbled with laughter he couldn't quite hide.
"You don't mind, do you Caroline? Admit it. You always wanted a sister. Especially one as fabulous as I am."
Caroline tried not to smile and failed. It was true. Even with Elena and Bonnie she always did want a sister. Someone who she would have giggled with about the crazy antics of their parents and cried with at their divorce. Someone for late night confidences and keeping the loneliness at bay when she was turned and lost her father.
"I have," Caroline murmured so soft, she hoped no one would hear.
Rebekah did and she moved out of Caroline's arms, a bright smile on her face. "Oh! I love your dress. Nik, doesn't Caroline look nice?"
"Caroline always looks beautiful. Tonight is no different."
The drawled compliment from Klaus created a whirlwind within Caroline's heart. Against her wishes, her cheeks heated and she seethed in frustration at her fluttery reaction to him. Rebekah took her hand, pulling her deeper into the drawing room.
In front of the marble fireplace, Klaus sprawled on a satin and gilt sofa, a sketchbook next to him. He wore a soft blue shirt and dark linen colored formal suit. At her approach, he stood to his feet and walked towards her with graceful stealth. Reaching her side, he tipped her head up with one hand, his thumb grazing the mark on her neck. Flickers of fire erupted all over her skin and she fought the urge to kiss him. His mouth was so close, so tempting, she only needed to reach and…No, she wouldn't do it. She tried to step away, except his gaze was on hers, his blue eyes dark and hypnotic.
"Tell me of your day, love."
"Don't do that!"
"Do what?" He smirked just before he swooped in to kiss her. His mouth burned her. Sent her heart roaring into a frantic rhythm. His lips were soft and firm on hers and his taste, champagne mixed with something darker, tantalized the deepest parts of her.
Caroline's hands went to his chest to force him away and somehow they settled there. His muscles hard under her touch. Laughter floated in the air, enough to make her very aware of their audience. She pulled herself away from him.
"I swear if you touch that place on my neck again, I will…I will —"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
Elijah chose that moment to head over with glasses of champagne. "Now, would be an excellent time for some refreshments. Caroline, if you would…" He handed over a flute brimming with champagne.
Bemused at the interruption, she took the glass Elijah held out while Klaus accepted the other.
"A toast, I think." Elijah said. "Let's raise a glass to celebrate this wondrous and happy occasion. To Klaus and Caroline on their joining."
Caroline glared at Elijah and he smiled. To her annoyance, he seemed to have completely forgotten their conversation earlier in the hallway.
"No." Klaus raised his glass. "To my Queen. To Caroline."
Elijah lifted a brow, yet didn't protest. "To Caroline."
"To my new sister," Rebekah giggled.
Everyone downed their drink and Caroline wanted to scream. They were celebrating like she and Klaus announced their engagement to be married. About to say something, she stopped at the blur of movement around her. Moving like one, Klaus and his siblings tossed their empty crystal flutes into the fireplace. Caroline gasped at the shattering glass, the flames leaping and hissing at the remaining drops of champagne.
At her shocked look, Klaus spoke up, "It's tradition. When one makes a toast of such gravity as this one, the glass must be destroyed. Since no other toast could ever be as great or worthy as this one, the glass must never be tarnished with a lesser one."
Stunned, Caroline stared at him.
"Drink up, love."
She didn't know what to say. Overwhelmed by his words, what he meant by honoring her so, she swallowed the champagne. He took the glass from her and with a smirk threw it into the fireplace and she nearly jumped at the crackle of breaking glass. Rebekah and Elijah smiled at her, equally scary pleased looks on their faces and she knew, with a sense of finality, the truth. Bonnie would never find a spell to break the mark. It was permanent and she would be part of the Original family forever.
Distress and fear wound their way around her throat, choking her and when someone tapped at the door and Caroline barely acknowledged it.
"The rest of your guests are here," the hybrid in the doorway, announced.
Caught up in her own turmoil, she missed it at first. Now she could clearly pick out Elena's high-pitched voice mingled with Stefan's and Damon's lower tones and while Bonnie was quiet, Caroline could sense her movements.
Rebekah sighed. "You had to invite them to ruin our fun."
"For a treaty, Rebekah, both sides must be present," Elijah explained in a patient voice.
"I don't understand why they won't accept things. Nik has waited centuries for a doppelgänger. They are lucky he hasn't killed the girl by now. Her blood is the only thing keeping her alive."
Caroline whipped her head around to face Rebekah, giving her a withering stare. "Elena is more than a doppelgänger or a blood bag. She is a human, who happens to be my friend."
Rebekah shrugged. "You needn't be so sensitive about it. It's not like she will be here forever with you, like us."
"You must be more understanding towards Caroline. She looks quite overcome. Remember, she is still getting used to the idea of us and our ways," Elijah countered in a smooth tone. "And, she is right. Elena does deserve some consideration."
"Thank you, Elijah," Caroline said, surprised to agree with him.
"I am more than considerate." Klaus wrapped his arm around Caroline's waist. "I don't bleed her dry. For her, it is the same as donating to a blood bank. Only it is my blood bank. In return, she gets to live in peace instead of being financially rewarded. Although, if she wishes it, we could come to a monetary agreement."
"You can't throw money at her and expect her to be pleased that you tap her like a keg to feed your hybrid initiates. That won't fix anything at all." Caroline tried to move away from Klaus. He held her tighter around the waist, his hand splaying against her hipbone.
"It's only blood, Caroline. Trust me, they are always making more." Rebekah flashed her white teeth at Caroline. "Besides, I find our blood donors here at the house are very appreciative of the cash Elijah gives them for their services."
Antoinette... Caroline glance sideways at Klaus and hated that she wondered if he fed from the woman. Her blood boiled in her veins at the thought of his mouth pressed to that human's skin. Caroline tried to swallow back her hate, her possessiveness over Klaus. Someone she didn't even want in her life. Only, she lied to herself. Her whole being tingled at being close to him, her nerve endings jumping with desire. How twisted was she?
"Caroline? Are you okay?"
Elena's worried voice ripped through Caroline's haze and she was very aware of how things must appear to everyone. Klaus' arm tightened even further around her waist, a band of steel holding her in place at his side while her friends entered the drawing room.
"Of course she's fine, Barbie's all nice and cozy with our number one favorite neighborhood bully," Damon sneered. "Not content to terrorize Caroline in one lifetime, he's going to have another go at it. Let's see if you can keep her in this one."
"Watch yourself," Klaus growled, the muscles in his arm hardening to stone around Caroline. "Keep it up and I will carve your heart up and serve it for dinner on Elijah's prized silver."
"Not the silver, Niklaus." Elijah shuddered in horror. "That is Louis the XIV. If you must, use the china."
Damon's eyes widened at the mockery, his mouth silent for once.
"Please forgive my brother, Damon. He is still struggling to understand how treaties work and if you cross the line into insulting him or Caroline, I am afraid all discussions will cease. Something that would be most tragic for both sides." Elijah shook his head, like the thought bothered him greatly.
"I know how treaties work," Klaus snapped. "Which is why we don't need one. There is no benefit to myself in one whatsoever when I already hold all the pieces."
Caroline frowned. Of course, he saw it that way. They were all pawns in his stupid games after all. Why Elijah thought this meeting would work was beyond her.
"You invited us here," Stefan replied, emphasizing the word "us". "What concessions do you offer?"
"I offer no concessions." Klaus smirked. "This is all Elijah's idea."
"That is not what we discussed earlier." Elijah sighed, giving Klaus the look of a parent dealing with an exasperating child. "Even you must recognize this is a delicate game now." His gaze now fell pointedly to Caroline.
Caroline struggled to read the hidden messages behind Elijah's words and actions. Was this treaty a farce? Did he wished to use Elena as a bargaining chip to induce Caroline to work things out with Klaus? It didn't seem possible that he would go to so much trouble.
"You forget Elijah, Nik has always preferred war to treaties." Rebekah wandered over to the bar and poured herself a tumbler of bourbon. "If I were you, Elena, I would be prepared to concede defeat. Also, just a suggestion, but make sure to take lots of iron. It will help with the bleeding." With a snarky smile, Rebekah tipped back her glass.
Elena gasped, pallor tinting her rosy face.
"This abuse of Elena needs to stop." Stefan put his arm around Elena, tucking her close into him. "She has given you more than enough blood. Enough to make hundreds of hybrids."
"It will never be enough. She is human and will die within a blink of an eye. Even you must see how little time you have with her, Stefan. Or perhaps you mean to turn my most valuable asset before she withers into old age?" Klaus asked, his voice like ice. "What will I do until there is another doppelgänger?"
Stefan blanched. "I would never turn her."
"I would," Damon shot out. "If it would keep you from taking another drop of her blood."
"You forget, her blood, her very life belongs to me and I will not allow her to be turned until she is near the grave."
Caroline shivered at the life sentence Klaus gave her friend. "Does Elena have no say in this?"
Klaus turned his gaze to Caroline, his eyes glittering. "She is mine to do with as I please. She was born to serve me."
"No," Caroline snapped. "Elena is her own self and she will choose her life path without your threats hanging over her head."
"I would listen to your girlfriend here." Damon smirked at Klaus. "She is clearly the sane one in your twisted relationship."
Klaus released Caroline's waist and gestured at Elena, Damon and Stefan hovering protectively over the doppelgänger. "Speaking of a twisted relationship…is it a turn on for you to always be in love with the same woman as your brother? I would suggest you see someone, as you appear to have some kind of Freudian problem that only a ménage with Stefan can fix."
Rebekah laughed and with a roar, Damon lunged at Klaus. The Original hybrid, with an elegant flourish caught him by the neck, squeezing until blood dribbled from his mouth.
Bits on bone protruded from Damon's throat and upper chin and bile rose into Caroline throat.
Elena cried out and Stefan's arms held her back.
"Really, Niklaus. Must you antagonize our guest? I was about to offer pre-dinner drinks. I can't imagine what Caroline must think of our hospitality." In a blur of movement, Elijah stood at Klaus' side. "Release him."
Elijah's voice cracked like a whip and to Caroline's surprise, Klaus with a lazy shrug, dropped Damon. He thudded to the floor in a pile of limbs, his neck at an unnatural angle. Elena rushed to him, embracing him and wiping at the blood on his mouth with the hem of her blue dress.
"Was that really necessary?" Caroline glowered at Klaus
Stefan rushed to Elena's side and helped his brother up. Damon cracked his neck back into place, his face hard and Caroline was sure he plotted revenge.
"I would watch him, Stefan." Klaus smiled at Stefan, amusement flaring in his eyes. "He is rather like a fox in the henhouse and the hen doesn't seem bothered."
"Like I thought, insane. Becoming a hybrid must have scrambled your brains," Damon spat.
Caroline grabbed Klaus' arm to stop him retaliating. "Enough. We're not in a schoolyard!"
"I do apologize for my brother's actions. I guarantee he will make amends." Elijah's voice while mild, held an edge of steel.
The same hybrid from earlier knocked on the door. "Dinner is ready."
Caroline breathed a sigh of relief at the interruption. It was a welcome respite from the heightened tension and drama in the room.
"I hope everyone enjoys French food?" Elijah walked over to the set of double doors along the side of the drawing room. He threw them open, revealing the dining room adorned with a massive table and tall, throne like chairs. Sparkling crystal and fine bone china was artfully arranged on the white damask tablecloth. "Won't everyone take a seat? Please find your name on the place cards." Elijah offered his arm to Caroline. "Since Niklaus' manners seem slightly lacking this evening, won't you allow me to escort you."
Caroline cast Klaus an angry look but hesitated to take Elijah's arm. What kind of dinner could they possibly have now?
"You will love the Coq au Vin with a heavy Bordeaux wine I had prepared for the occasion," Elijah said, his arm still held out patiently.
"You aren't really going to continue with dinner are you, Care? Look what he did to Damon."
Elena's tear- filled voice pricked at Caroline and she continued to stand undecided, her hand at her side.
"Trust me, Caroline." Elijah tilted his head to gaze at her, his eyes kind.
Could she trust him after everything that happened with the toast? His pressure for her to be with Klaus? Taking hope from his words earlier about giving Elena some consideration she made a decision.
"Let's give him a chance. We're already here. We might as well see what kind of terms are being offered?"
Elijah smiled with pleasure at her answer and Caroline took his arm. Taking a seat at the table, she nearly cried under the heavy scrutiny of her friends. They didn't know whether to trust her. Whether she was still one of them.
"She's right," Bonnie piped up. We might as well give this a try. As much as I hate it, we are going to have to learn to live with one another. At least temporarily." Her white dress swishing around her legs, Bonnie sat down.
Caroline's heart lightened, hope washing over her at the hidden meaning behind her words. Bonnie still believed things temporary. Even after their failed research today about the mark. Her friend was doing this as much for Elena as she was for Caroline.
With suspicious faces, the remaining trio took their seats next to each other. Klaus slipped into the chair at the head of the table to the left of Caroline. Elijah sat the foot with Rebekah moving to sit on Caroline's right side. The table divided them. The Original family, her included, faced off against her friends. It had to be another one of Elijah's subtle hints she was starting to fear and loathe. It symbolically highlighted his desire, the division of her past from her place in the future.
Several hybrids, dressed in tuxedos flurried around the table filling champagne glasses.
"What shall we toast to?" Elijah mused, looking around the dining room. "A new beginning?"
"Beginning?" Damon pounded the table with his fist. "What new beginning? Nothing has changed."
"Ah, but it has. More than you can imagine." Elijah's gaze swept over Caroline and she squirmed in her seat, unease percolating in her stomach.
"Their agreeing to meet with us is a sign of change. We can start new and forget what happened recently" she interjected, giving Elijah a hard look. "You wrote of a treaty to get us here tonight, what terms are you thinking of?"
Klaus picked up his champagne glass, swirling the bubbly drink within. "There are no terms, love. Not tonight. Not ever."
"Niklaus…This is not what we discussed earlier," Elijah countered in a mild tone.
Rebekah laughed. "You should know better, Elijah. Nik would have agreed to anything to see Caroline tonight."
"Is that true?" Caroline avoided looking at her friends, afraid of what she would see on their faces.
Klaus set down his champagne glass and turned his gaze to her. "And if it was?"
"You are unbelievable!" Caroline started to rise from her chair only to have her wrist captured in Klaus' strong hand.
"Caroline, don't go."
To her surprise it wasn't a command. There was a plea, a hollowness in the timbre of Klaus' voice.
"Do stay. Elijah went through such trouble to put this dinner together. And, he had the most delicious champagne flown in to toast this whole thing," Rebekah begged. "If anyone leaves, it shouldn't be you."
"Rebekah is right." Elijah frowned at Klaus. "My apologies, Caroline. I was misled by my brother."
"Were you really?" Klaus asked. Did you honestly believe I would secede anything when I have my doppelgänger at last?"
"You might at least pretend to negotiate. For Caroline's sake," Elijah replied in a censorious tone.
"I do not need to play games to prove to Caroline or the world where she stands in my life." Without releasing Caroline, Klaus stroked her inner wrist with his thumb.
Her skin burned at his caress, a low shiver rippling through her body.
"Yeah. We get it. Caroline gets you hot in your panties," Damon sneered. "But, if you want to keep getting a taste of that honey pot in bed, you're going to need to set Elena free."
"Seriously?" Cold fury settled in Caroline's chest. "You're prostituting me for Elena now?"
Damon shrugged. "It's not like you aren't already sleeping with him."
"I'm not"
"Right, Blondie. We all know what happened after prom."
Caroline swung her gaze to Elena, heat erupting into her cheeks. Her friend flushed and lowered her eyelashes in guilt.
"I'm sorry, Care. I didn't realize it was a secret."
"Caroline needs better friends. Ones who know how to shut their big tattling mouths, don't you think, Nik?" Rebekah smiled smugly at her brother. "Maybe one who would be like a sister?"
"Caroline already has friends and she certainly doesn't need a sister," Bonnie snipped. "Elena meant no harm."
"She never means any harm," Rebekah said with a sharp laugh.
"Enough." Elijah's soft voice carried a threat of violence no one could ignore. "If everyone would only take a deep breath, maybe we could get this meeting back on track. Caroline, if you would take your seat, we could try this again."
Caroline slid back into her chair.
"Niklaus." Elijah leaned forward on the table. "Some consideration must be given to Elena. If not for her sake, then for Caroline's. When in a relationship, there is give and take. If you wish to partake, you must be willing to give something in return."
"You are giving me advice? That is rich," Klaus chuckled. "Wasn't your last relationship with Katerina? That went well, didn't it?"
Elijah glowered at his brother.
"I didn't realize we were here to witness couples therapy." Damon tossed back his champagne and a hybrid servant rushed to refill his glass. "Go ahead, Barbie. Tell that hybrid dog that he can have a sniff at you in exchange for Elena's freedom."
Klaus started to rise to his feet and fear rattled in Caroline's chest. He would not be content with only breaking Damon's neck this time. Without thinking of the consequences, she grabbed his hand.
"Klaus, please."
"Damon!" Stefan exclaimed, giving Caroline an apologetic glance. "Caroline is not a bargaining chip."
Damon snorted. "Then what good is she?"
"She is my friend," Elena voice rang out, surprising everyone. "I would never accept her giving herself to that monster for me. I would rather die."
"Don't worry. 10, 20, or 30 years?" Rebekah examined her perfectly manicured nails ticking them off one by one with each number. "It will happen soon enough and then there will be nothing to stop Caroline from being a part of our family."
Stefan's gaze fell on Caroline and she ignored his questioning look. "Part of your family?"
"Rebekah. Not now." Elijah's tone held all the patience of a saint. "Niklaus…you want time with Caroline? I think you could achieve that much easier if she didn't have to worry about her friend. Besides it isn't good for Elena to be bled weekly. Even blood banks won't take donors that often. Do you wish to risk losing your doppelgänger?"
"Elena," Caroline gasped, recoiling in horror, she dropped Klaus' hand. She had no idea Elena was bled that often. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Her friend looked down at the table, rearranging the silverware at her place setting. "I didn't want you to worry."
Caroline blinked back the tears that threatened to fall and looked at Klaus. "How could you? You have enough hybrids to form an army now."
"No. There will never be enough to keep you safe from harm. The threat isn't over. I sense it." Klaus gazed back at her, his eyes heated and fierce.
"This isn't about protecting me!"
"It is all about you now." Klaus took her hand in his. "Us."
Damon pretended to gag and Stefan hit him in the shoulder.
"I can't deal with this. Elena doesn't deserve this." Caroline rose to her feet, yanking her hand from Klaus' in disgust. "I don't want to see you or your hybrid lackeys at my house anymore."
"Sweetheart."
Caroline turned to walk away.
"A month." Klaus flew in a blur of movement in front of her. He held out his hands in surrender. "I will limit her donations to once a month."
Shock burst in Caroline and she forced herself not to react. Forced her heart not to speed up and her blood not to thump in her veins at his attempt at negotiations. "In return for what? Sex? Dates? What is it you want this time?"
Klaus stepped closer to her, his fingertips grazing the side of her face and Caroline tried to remain still. The slight touch tingled, sending shockwaves pulsing inside of her.
"Nothing."
"What?" Suspicion ate at Caroline and she ignored the surprised whispers and mutters of her friends.
"I want nothing but to try and earn myself a spot in your life."
Caroline could only stare at him. She searched his eyes, looking for any sign of hidden agenda, a gleam of trickery. There was nothing. He looked back at her, his blue eyes calm and without guile.
"You really mean that? Once a month?"
"I do."
"Which side are you on now, Blondie?" Damon's lip curled in distaste.
"I'm on Elena's side," Caroline retorted. "This is a start. A good start, for now. Can't you see that?"
"Right. With you standing there making googly eyes at the enemy? You know what they say, lay down with dogs, get up with them. You're a traitor to your friend. To us." Damon threw his napkin on the table and stood up.
Caroline gasped.
"How dare you speak to my wife that way," Klaus snarled. "I will serve your heart on a platter to the wolves tonight."
"Wife?" Stefan jumped out of his seat, his eyes wide. "What is he talking about?"
Elena gaped at Caroline.
"Shall I tell them or would you like to, love?" Klaus turned to her, a pleased smirk lighting up his face, not in the least upset at his reveal.
"How could you?" Caroline's voice shook with anger.
"It was only a matter of time. They would eventually find out. Don't be angry, love."
"I don't understand? Did you marry Klaus?" Elena asked, setting her hand on Stefan's arm.
Caroline shook her head. "Of course not."
Klaus took her hand in a haze of movement, swinging her into his arms before Caroline could even protest. "We are married in every holy sense of the word. I marked her, bound her to me for all eternity."
"That is possible? I have heard of it, but never thought it could happen for real." Stefan looked to Elena.
"Of course it is possible. But, not if that nitwit is human." Rebekah rolled her eyes.
"Which she will stay," Klaus added.
Damon's body blurred, appearing next to Caroline. He stared hard at her, lifting his head in the air like he sensed something before quickly backing away. "It is there. I can feel it's magic all around her. He did it. He marked her."
The awe in his voice was so unlike Damon, Caroline nearly fainted.
"It won't stay for long." Bonnie stood up from the table. "I will find a way to remove it."
"You can try, Witch, but there is nothing in this world or the spirit one that can break a Consort Mark." Klaus ran the tip of his finger over the mark and Caroline swallowed hard at the blaze of desire that leapt under her skin.
"Stop that!" Caroline lifted her high heeled shod foot and stabbed the tip into Klaus' foot. He instinctively released her in shock at her move. "I am not your wife and I am going to destroy your mark no matter what it takes."
"Then you can say goodbye to your precious treaty. I will bleed Elena as much as I want, whenever I want," Klaus snarled.
"You wouldn't." Sickness swelled in Caroline and she struggled not to be ill.
Elijah stood up from the table, a forbidding frown drawn on his features. "Niklaus, is this necessary? You do more damage than good at this point."
"Caroline is mine and she needs to understand our coupling is eternal." Klaus advanced on Caroline, his eyes flashing gold. "I have honored you by making you my Queen and my wife. Accept it."
"I will never accept it," Caroline bit out. "You have forced me into a marriage without ever even proposing."
"She has a point, Nik." Rebekah downed her champagne. "A girl never likes to be forced into an arranged marriage. You could have at least gone down on one knee with a ring. That is the tradition now."
Klaus glared at Rebekah. "She can have any ring she wants."
Caroline almost laughed at the absurdity of the two siblings. "I don't want a ring. I want a divorce."
"There will be no divorce," Klaus growled. "It doesn't even exist for us."
"We will find a way." Bonnie walked over to Caroline, squeezing her hand. "There is always a loophole."
"Let's go. This treaty is dead." Damon gestured towards Stefan and Elena to join him.
Klaus swept his hand towards the door. "By all means. There never was a treaty to begin with."
"Thanks, but no thanks on the dinner, Elijah." Damon smirked and waited for Bonnie to reach his side before leading everyone out the room.
Caroline started to follow her friends, only to be stopped by Klaus' hand on her arm. "Not you, love. We have unsettled business."
"Really?" Caroline spun around to face him. "What are you going to do? Lock me in the attic to keep me here?"
"Don't tempt me."
Elijah cleared his throat and appeared at their side. "Niklaus. This is not the way to do things."
"She is my Consort. She belongs here."
"Now, is not the time." Elijah bowed his head at Caroline. "Forgive me. This is not how I intended the evening to go at all. As freely as you came you are able to go. I give you my word."
Klaus fisted his hands at his side, his whole body tightening in fury. "I will not let her go."
"You can't have me," Caroline shot at Klaus, ignoring the pain in her heart at the look of devastation on his face. "Not like this."
"Allow me to escort you back to the limo." Elijah held out his arm for Caroline.
Klaus took a step towards his brother, deadly menace radiating him in waves.
"Don't." Elijah murmured. "Tread carefully here. Do you wish to alienate Caroline even more? Send her running for centuries? You need to give her some space and time."
Klaus took a deep breath, shaking off some of his anger and moved to Caroline's side. His hand drifted to the side of her face, only to fall to his side at her glare. "I will not remove my hybrids from your house. They are there to keep you safe."
"Fine," Caroline replied, trying to keep her voice from shaking. "But, you will stay away."
"For a day. Then you will pack and move in. I will not be without you."
Caroline swallowed at the threat in his silken tone. From the darkness in his eyes, the stubborn tilt of his head she knew this was only a brief reprieve. She shuddered at the future, the end of tomorrow. What would happen then? She had only one way out. To break the mark.
Tearing her gaze from him, she let Elijah lead her out of the dining room.
"Good night, Caroline. See you tomorrow," Rebekah called out, her tone merry.
"I do apologize, Caroline. This was not how I wished the night to go." Elijah's voice was stern, carrying all the frustration of a fed up parent. "I do hope I have not made things worse for you?"
"Worse? I am not sure how they can possibly be?" Caroline asked with a hollow laugh. Stepping outside she saw at once her friends already left without her.
The limo pulled up and Elijah opened the door to hand her in "I want you to know that I am here for you. Whatever you need."
"Can you break the mark? Free me?"
"I can do anything, but that." He smiled at her, except it was almost a cruel smile. One that matched that the flicker of hardness in his eyes. "You must give Niklaus a chance. Us a chance. You will find happiness here."
"Not like this. I must be free to make my own decisions."
Elijah nodded but his features lacked any hint of understanding when he closed the limo door.
Caroline leaned back in soft leather seat. She would head over to Bonnie's. There had to be a spell they missed in the grimoires. She could imagine no other alternative. Because if she moved in with Klaus it would only be a matter of time before she succumbed once more to the passion that existed between them.
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The early morning sun crept through the lace curtains at Bonnie's house and Caroline wanted to pound her head on the table. Next to her sat a stack of grimoires. They ranged in all sizes and materials. The newest bound in embossed leather and the oldest written on pages made from pressed river reeds. Bonnie poured through them twice, meticulously searching each and every spell for references to a Consort Mark. There was nothing.
Admitting defeat with natural or white magic, Bonnie at last turned to black. She paged through the last grimoire, the one made from some kind of thin skin. Caroline really hoped it belonged to an animal.
"We might as well give up." Caroline massaged her temples, beyond tired. "There is no way to break this stupid mark."
Bonnie looked up from the grimoire she squinted at. "There has to be. Nature always leaves a loophole. A counter spell of some type to balance things."
"Not this. Klaus probably made sure of it."
"Even that arrogant ass can't control magic."
Caroline laughed, the sound dry and hollow.
"And, there is magic involved here. Damon sensed it tonight. Being near you, he felt the power that emanated from the mark and it affected him. He mentioned it was like a magical warning, a threat to stay away."
"Great. I made his skin crawl." Caroline yawned, laying her head down on the table. "Actually, maybe that is a good thing."
"It is a benefit of this mess." Bonnie turned another page in the grimoire. "How did the marking happen? Like was he doing anything special?"
Caroline sat up, her spine straight as a ruler. "Like what?" She asked, her breath snagging in her lungs. Embarrassed heat rolled over her skin in waves and her face burned. She remembered every detail of the marking in exquisite detail. The way he thrust into her molten core while simultaneously puncturing the pulsing vein in her neck with his sharp teeth. How she came around him in the most mind-blowing orgasm she ever had, her blood pouring into his mouth. She shivered, squirming in her seat at the stirrings of lust within her.
"I don't know… are you sure he didn't chant anything? Use a potion without you knowing? He must have done something to make the bite permanent." Bonnie looked up from the grimoire at Caroline's silence. "What is it? Did I say something wrong?"
"No…I just…" Her hand fluttered to her chest and she pressed her palm to her thundering heart. "It's only that…"
The door banged open and Caroline flew to her feet, falling into a protective stance over Bonnie.
"Nice reflexes there, Blondie." Damon smirked. He traded his dark suit from earlier for his usual t-shirt, leather jacket and jean apparel.
"Seriously? You couldn't just knock like a normal person?"
Damon's smirk turned into a grin. "What fun would that be? Besides, I didn't want to miss how you explained to Bonnie the origin of your mark."
Caroline shrugged and avoided Bonnie's gaze. "It's just a bite."
"Yeah. A bite with benefits. The bumping uglies kind," Damon shot back, laughter in his tone.
"What?" Bonnie scrunched her nose up in thought.
Damon's chest shook with laughter. "The "Oh, God…Oh, God" kind."
Bonnie's eyes widened with understanding and she turned her gaze to Caroline. "So…um…was anything different from normal this time."
"Yes, Care." Damon fluttered his eyelashes in exaggeration. "Let's hear all about it. What is sex like with a fossil? How shriveled was his —"
"Enough." Caroline's voice ricocheted off the wall like a fired bullet. "Do you really need details?"
Bonnie cheeks reddened. "I don't know? Maybe it would be helpful? Did the bite take place when you — when you…"
Caroline gave her friend an abrupt nod.
"Is that normal for vampire sex?" Bonnie managed to croak out.
"I don't know. Ask the expert." Caroline pointed to Damon. "He's more the man-whore type."
For once Damon looked slightly uncomfortable. "That was before…" he muttered.
"Before, your thing for Elena. We get it. Good thing she has Stefan. He at least can keep it in in his pants." Caroline jabbed at Damon, ignoring the haunted look in his eyes.
"Care. Not now." Bonnie frowned and picked up the grimoire again. "So I am guessing the sex and blood sharing are linked in some way that produced the mark. It makes sense. They are heavy components in the strongest of spells."
Damon plopped down on Bonnie's worn floral couch. "No luck finding out how to break it?"
"Not yet. We need to figure out something fast. He wants Care to move in with him tonight. Which means we will never get a chance to reverse the mark and she will be stuck in this sick relationship with Klaus forever. Bonnie's mouth twisted in disgust. "I don't know how you can stand it. To be near him like you are."
A sharp pang of anger hit Caroline hard. "You don't know him like I do and our relationship is not sick."
Damon laughed. "Because, he is a regular Prince Charming."
"He can be. Much more than you." Caroline was flooded with images of her time together with Klaus. The dance on their first date, him helping her with her schoolwork, cooking with her for her mom, how he tried so hard to be the perfect boyfriend at prom. His devotion for her knew no bounds. Her heart softened to the overwhelming emotion pummeling her.
"Sure. And, of course, he bit you out of love?" Bonnie rolled her eyes.
In a moment of pure clarity, it all made sense. His chase of her in this time period even when faced with her hatred, his insane obsession for her safety and his constant desire to have her with him. He loved her. Klaus, the most feared hybrid in the world loved her. It overwhelmed her, left her in such awe she almost sank to her knees. "I think he did."
"Care, people in love don't bite each other and mark them like property."
"Vampires do. It is our nature, isn't it?" Caroline stared at Damon, begging him to agree with her so Bonnie could see the truth.
Damon looked back at her, his eyes empty. "No. That isn't love."
"How can you say that?" Caroline cried, frustration welling in her chest. "When you look at Elena you wouldn't give anything to be able to make her yours? Mark her like Klaus did me."
He avoided her gaze. "Love is sacrifice. Giving up part of yourself to make your loved one happy at all costs. If Klaus truly loved you, he would not have marked you without asking."
"But, that wouldn't be him. You forget his beginnings, the life he lead before he was turned."
"Don't make excuses for him," Bonnie said, her voice cool. "I understand you loved him in another lifetime, but you didn't truly know him. You didn't realize how close he was to murdering you every time he was near you."
"He didn't, though."
"No. He murdered your friends instead," Bonnie retorted.
Caroline lowered her eyes, the pain of losing her friends from so long ago ripping a new hole in her heart. There was no excuse for his behavior.
Bonnie continued,"Which is why I am going to do everything I can to remove this bond between you."
"I know how you can break it." Damon leaned forward in his chair, drawing a stake from the pocket of his leather jacket. The smooth wood shone in the dawning light.
Caroline shook her head, taking a step back in horror. The white oak stake, the one thing in the world that could kill Klaus.
"You promised. For Elena." Damon stood up. He advanced towards her, the instrument of death outstretched in his hand for her to take.
"She can't," Bonnie sighed. "It could kill her too. They are linked."
Damon whipped his head to look at Bonnie. "It is a risk I am willing to take."
"I'm not and neither is Elena." Bonnie returned to studying her grimoire.
Holding the stake out, Damon focused his gaze on Caroline and took another step towards her. "Think of it….You would be free. Never again could he hurt you, hurt your friends. That's what you want. To keep us all safe and have the mark destroyed."
Caroline backed up until she hit the wall, afraid of Damon's words.
He kept coming towards her. "Only you have the power to do it."
"Oh, my Goddess!" Bonnie stood up, the grimoire tight in her hand. "They are linked! Why didn't I see it before? The stake. The white oak aspect has no effect on Caroline and it won't on him any longer."
"Then what do you suggest we do now," Damon growled. He paced the room, stabbing the stake in the air like he murdered a whole army of invisible Klaus'
Relief swam before Caroline's eyes and her she struggled to stay upright. "What do you mean? It won't kill him?"
"The spell in here." Bonnie tapped the page she looked at with excitement. "It combines blood and sex between supernatural beings to create a bond. When this happens there is an overlap between the two parties. Your superior traits are combined. While Caroline can no longer be killed with a regular stake, Klaus can't be killed by the white oak. But, you can take him out and weaken him with it, same as Caroline."
"There is no killing him with it?" Damon's voice was heavy with disappointment.
"This is good enough. We can incapacitate him long enough I can do an enchantment spell with your blood, Care. I already found a good one in here that will put him to sleep. Then we can keep him locked up long as Elena is alive. A fitting punishment, for sure." Bonnie put down the grimoire and walked towards Caroline. "We can do this. Bring everything back to normal. No blood letting for Elena, no more threats and violence from him and most of all, you can be with Tyler again.
Caroline chest burst with pain and she laughed, the sound hysterical enough Bonnie looked at her strangely.
"Are you okay?"
She continued to laugh until her sides ached, until tears started rolling down her face. "I will never be with Tyler again."
"What? Why? He loves you."
"Not anymore." Caroline wiped at her wet eyes. "I sent him away."
Bonnie walked over to the box of tissues on the end table. "Call him back."
"I can't. I don't love him anymore." At her friend's censorious look, guilt assaulted Caroline. "It's best for him. He needs to find someone who can love him without all this baggage from the past."
Bonnie handed her a tissue. "He won't care. Klaus will be gone for a few decades and you can start over."
"No, Bon. There is no starting over. Not for me." Caroline wiped her tear stained cheeks.
Bonnie nodded, her eyes thoughtful. "There will be someone else."
"There always is with Blondie," Damon drawled. "Klaus is just the end of a long string of guys she has dated. She will find someone new in no time."
Caroline glowered at him, hatred burning deep within her. There would never be anyone else but Klaus. She recognized that now.
"Are you done crying? Because we need to get this plan settled." Damon held out the stake to her once more.
"You will need to get him comfortable. Get his guard down," Bonnie said.
"I am sure she can figure out a way to do that." Damon gave her a lascivious smirk. "Put on one of those short little dresses you like to wear and leave your hair down. Maybe put on something lacy under—"
"She doesn't need your help with that," Bonnie interrupted. "I am sure she can figure out how to handle Klaus. She has been doing fine this long."
Caroline balled the tissue in her fist. "You want me to do what? Make out with him? Have sex? And then what?"
"Stab him in the heart. It will be enough to give us some time. We will need to move quick. I will enchant a coffin ahead of time and when he is weak we will move him into it."
"Where and when exactly is this betrayal going to take place?" Caroline said, unable to keep her bitterness at bay.
"Tomorrow." Damon eyes were alight with excitement. "Invite him over to your place to talk about wifey stuff. He won't be able to refuse."
"Then I stab him," Caroline replied dully.
Damon lifted the stake and with slow motion brought the point to rest on Caroline's heart. He held it there and Caroline's stomach heaved. She jerked back, fighting back the image of the weapon embedded in Klaus' chest.
"We will be nearby waiting in cars. Flicker your lights and we will come running and put him down once and for all."
"Bon said it would only be until Elena passes," Caroline argued.
"Or she is turned."
Caroline looked at Damon hard. "Stefan will never do that."
He shrugged. "Then I will."
"Seriously? You are such a hypocrite. You just said love was—"
"Not now, Care," Bonnie interrupted, her features lined with annoyance at their bickering. "I am going to need your blood tonight to get the enchantment started."
It was all happening so fast. Caroline couldn't think. Her lungs hardened, her breath trapping inside them and she struggled to breathe. Black shadows appeared before her eyes and her heart slowed to a dull thud.
"Damn, Blondie. It's only a little blood."
"It's not that." Bonnie's voice all but called him an idiot. "Breathe Care. It is going to all be fine. I promise it."
Caroline collapsed on the couch, gasping for air. "I can't do it."
"What do you mean, you can't do it?" Damon strode towards her, sleek with menace. "You will if you care for Elena."
Bonnie sat next to her, taking Caroline's hand in hers. "I understand this is hard. Especially with all those feelings from the past rattling around and influencing you. But, they are from the past. You want Elena to be safe? Then you have to do this. For all of us."
"What about the mark?" Caroline grazed the healed bite with her fingertips.
"It will be inactive. Temporarily. Until we free Klaus or the enchantment spell wears off."
Caroline shook with fear, her heart seizing. He would never forgive her. Everything they had now would be gone and she would have destroyed it.
"He won't hurt you. I won't let him," Bonnie vowed.
"No. He won't," Caroline barely whispered. He wouldn't hurt her. Not ever. She would do that entirely on her own. How could she live with her betrayal?
"I will find a way to break the mark, Care. When he wakes it will be gone. I promise. Bonnie rose to her feet and opening the dark wood armoire in the room, she removed an empty glass vial. "Sorry about this, but I am going to need that blood."
In a haze, Caroline bit her wrist, not even registering the sting of pain. Bonnie rush to her side, collecting the blood in the vial as it fell drop by drop.
When Bonnie was finished and the skin of her wrist once more unmarked, Caroline stood up. She needed to get out of here. Away from Bonnie and Damon with their plotting and scheming. "I have to go. It is morning and those stupid hybrids will probably go to Klaus if I don't get home soon."
"That's fine. I will call you later today and we can figure out the rest of the details." Already Bonnie was running her fingers over the pages of the grimoire, trying to locate her spell.
Damon approached her, stopping her in her path towards the door. "You're doing the right thing. Elena will have a life now."
He attempted to pat her on the shoulder and she rushed past him out into the sunlight. Tilting her head into the blinding rays of light, she closed her eyes and prayed. She prayed for forgiveness, for courage and the ability to do the right thing.
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Thanks to my amazing reviewers. Without you, I never would have picked this story up again. It is because of all of you that this story is now re-edited and almost entirely written. Thank you.