Hello again! If you've read my newest chapter for Way of the World (chapter 8), you'll know that the creativity gods have struck me once again and we've finally got a new chapter - hooray!

It's a little on the sort side but I'm just getting back into things.

Enjoy:D

Caroline leaned against the doorway, her eyes on Mason as he counted and sorted all the coins he had in his collection – it was a special ritual for them, Caroline would visit a far away place and always bring a coin back for the youngest wolf.

There were times where even she was surprised at some of Mason's traits, when Tyler had first told her they were expecting she had imaged a mini-Tyler, a 'rough and tumble' boy who could grow angrier with every full moon – she knew untriggered wolves tended to have a temper streak and was delightfully surprised that Mason proved to be quite the opposite. She supposed Maria had a big part to play in that, her influence seemed to calm Tyler even at his worst moments and Caroline could even admit that Maria's presence had a somewhat soothing effect on her in times of crisis.

Caroline hadn't met anyone who exuded so much serenity and peace with such quiet temperament whilst also holding an air of authority.

She was glad to have the trio in their lives, Tyler and her were in a much better place since they had reconnected years ago and she owed it to their individual journeys and growth, becoming a father had given him a purpose that lay outside of having a pack even though he was still the alpha of the Dallaire pack.

"He's growing up so quick." Maria laughed as she walked past Caroline into the kitchen with a basket full of folded laundry.

"I know, it only seems like yesterday when his tiny fingers only just managed to wrap around my thumb", the brunette ruffled her son's hair as he whined.

"Mom, stop!" Mason shook his head, the mop of dark brown hair still retaining its ruffled look whilst Maris stuck out her tongue at him cheekily enjoyed her son's annoyed look.

Caroline smiled as she remembered the first time she had met Mason, she had never held a child before and grimaced slightly at the awkwardness her body had held as he had been placed in her arms and just as quickly Caroline had relaxed treasuring the trust both parents had in her for allowing her to be part of his life. It wasn't exactly common for vampires to be welcomed around packs let alone wolf children.

"I think it's time I make my exit," Mason stood from his chair and met Caroline half-way wrapping her arms around her waist, "I'll keep a lookout for another one of those rare coins, Mase, and if you're lucky I might give it to you," she squeezed him into a tighter hug.

"I'm always lucky, it's why you always get me a coin every time you visit." He pulled away to look up at her, "Can you visit sooner next time though? I really want to get the coins completed and show them to Olly when he comes back." He grinned.

Caroline let out a fake gasp, "Using me and my coins for your own needs, how evil of you Mase, and here I thought you enjoyed seeing me!" Mason laughed giving her another squeeze.

"I do aunt Care, but come on, you know I've been working on this for years. Olly keeps saying that I won't ever finish it and I've got to prove him wrong." Caroline rolled her eyes at his stubbornness, definitely a trait he had inherited from Tyler.

Caroline released him gently and nodded enthusiastically, "Definitely, can't have anyone thinking that the great coin collection will remain unfinished," she ruffled his hair, "as long as you stay out of trouble mister, I'll be back with another coin for you."

Mason grinned, "Trouble?" He batted his eyelashes, "I always stay out of trouble." He turned towards the door as his dad entered.

"Mase, Olly is looking for you-"

"Duty calls!" Mason winked at Caroline grinning and ran out of the door, "Bye Aunt Care!" he threw over his shoulder whizzing back out towards the field.

With a hug from Maria, Caroline walked beside Tyler as he led her towards her car, she could see Mason huddled with a group of kids speaking animatedly before they all split up running in each direction as they avoided the chaser.

"Have a think about what I said earlier Caroline," Tyler started, "I've not heard any whispers of anything yet, but it won't be long before rumours start spreading. It would probably be best for the transfer to happen as soon as possible before anyone can interfere."

Caroline opened the car door, "Thanks, Tyler, if you do hear anything can you let me know?" He nodded.

"Of course," Caroline closed the door as she started the car, "Mase wishes you would visit more, so do I." Caroline smiled at her friend, "we'd visit but...well, you know."

"I'll try, hopefully get that coin collection completed sooner too." They both chuckled, "It was good to see you again Tyler."

"You too, Care," Tyler mirrored her smile and with a parting nod, Caroline drove back to her city.

Klaus stood with his hands clasped behind his hands, he itched to wrap his hand around the witch's neck and threaten her to hurry up but knew it wasn't worth the trouble. Davina was a powerful witch and had proved that she could easily subdue him if she really wanted to. Thankfully over the years, her desire to incapacitate him had lessened.

The hybrid looked down at the map, the dust slowly moving away from the centre of New Orleans north through Alabama and Atlanta before he stop. The clear line of dust suddenly separated into speckles of dust covering the map.

"I can't find her," Klaus growled, "she's either dead, or has an anti-locator spell on her." Davina narrowed her eyes at the map, "wait," the dust suddenly separated into lines, "well that's new."

Each of the 3 lines trailed a distinctly different path.

Mystic Falls, Charleston and Jacksonville.

Hope sat on the rooftop looking down on the street, she loved this place, it was buzzing with energy, life and freedom – she didn't know how much she needed this until right this moment. Her eyes filled with tears, she knew all her family had been doing was trying to keep her safe and protected but forcing her to be cooped in hadn't helped her in any way. She was also sure that Elijah took a few liberties with what he had been teaching her during home-schooling, there was no way Napolean Bonaparte's distrust of Kol had caused the downfall of his empire...or maybe it had, either way she was certain that it wasn't the kind of information that was being taught at normal schools.

Too lost in her own world, she didn't realise Cass had joined her until she had what looked like a bear shaped chocolate lollipop thrust into her vision, "you know, I'm not exactly good with heights," Hope took the lollipop, she did always have a sweet-tooth so this was the perfect snack, "maybe I should have started with that when we met, that way we would have avoided this situation," Cass laughed nervously, leaning back quickly to avoid looking over the edge to the far, far away ground.

"Sorry, I'll keep that in mind for next time," Hope made to bite into the lollipop when Cass' hand stopped her.

"You've never had one of these?" Cass looked at her peculiarly, Hope shook her head, "Wow, you really have been missing out haven't you. Look," she broke off the top of the bear's ear when an azure blue light shimmered out of the crack, "it's not normal Chocolate, Hope, it's Honeyduke Chocolate," she ate the broken piece and offered the other half to Hope who hesitantly ate it.

Hope gasped with glee, "that is so good! What is it?"

"It's chocolate that carries the essence of magic," Hope broke off the ear from her chocolate bear and nibbled on it, "it's infused with joy and some fizz, think of it like the magical version of popping candy but much better."

Hope's mouth filled with an explosion, the chocolate melted away and led way for a multitude of tastes that she could only think was joy and happiness and excitement in food form. "This is amazing!" Hope smiled as she looked at Cassandra. "Thank you, Cass. For everything," Hope was filled with gratitude for the girl sitting beside her, she hadn't had friends growing up, she was glad that she had met Cass so early on and that she was someone who didn't want anything from her. A lot of the people she had known were placed in either of 2 categories: those who tried to grow close to her because they knew she was powerful and wanted to use her for their own gain or those who feared her for the same reason.

"Wait until I show you the sour snakes!" Cass beamed at her.

Yes, coming to Charleston - even under false pretences - was definitely worth it.

Caroline had only just pulled up by the Citadel when her phone rang, seeing the name on the screen she hesitated to answer.

Lucy Bennett

"How did it go?" Caroline whispered, both her and the caller knew there wasn't time for any niceties.

"There's a witch, in France, Adelaide Blanchet. She has some interesting information that might be useful for you Caroline." Caroline listened intently, "Rumours are that she is a clairvoyant, she could provide some answers from our questions. Though she doesn't take well to vampires."

"Where in France?"

"Paris. I'll head there in the morning and see what I can find."

"Thank you, Lucy, if she mentions anything about th-"

"You'll be the first to know."

The phone went dead, Caroline released the breath she hadn't realised she had been holding and slowly leaned her head back against the headrest.

She hoped with everything in her that this lead would give them something, anything, in the right direction. The last 13 years' worth of leads had all come to nothing, she just needed one nudge in the right direction, one person who could at least start providing some answers.

Caroline pulled her sleeve up, ever since her return from the Other Side 17 years ago the dark swirls had tattooed themselves onto the flesh of her forearm and since then she had searched for answers as to the origin.

17 years without answers, 13 years since she had gained her first clue and now her hope lay with Lucy to see if the woman she had found knew anything more.

See you next time!