Chapter 26: An Act of Revenge
The Grill was crowded with the inhabitants of Mystic Falls as the lunch rush started filling into one of the only restaurants in the small town. Elena sat across from Bonnie as her eyes kept flickering between the Bennett witch and the door. Every time a young woman with light colored hair walked through the doors, her heart would skip a beat in hopes it was her sister walking in. But that hope soon began to fizzle out as time passed and there was still no sign of her sister. Elena had tried calling her, but Serena's phone was off and she was getting nowhere with getting constantly sent to voicemail.
"I feel like I'm going crazy with worry." Elena finally said after the fifth light haired girl walked into the busy restaurant. "I haven't heard anything from Serena and I have no idea where to even start looking for her."
"You have every right to be worried, Elena." Bonnie tried to reassure her friend. "Klaus knows you tried to kill him, if he took Serena in retaliation, it's safe to say he isn't going to let you find her easily."
"But why take Serena?" Elena asked. "Why her? She had nothing to do with Mikael."
Bonnie shook her head, "Klaus knew Serena from her first life, this much we know. That means he knows what she is and what she's capable of." Bonnie began to explain. "Honestly, we have no idea the kind of power Serena has. And ever since Klaus and his sister showed up, she's been avoiding all of us."
Elena looked down at the table where her hands were resting. She felt lost. Serena had been keeping her distance from everyone since Klaus came back to Mystic Falls. Elena wanted to believe that their relationship was healing and that Serena was slowly starting to trust her again. But then Klaus and Rebekah came into the picture and everything fell apart. Serena was the key to Klaus creating his hybrids, meaning Klaus needed her alive. Elena was somewhat thankful for that, but she was still afraid of what Klaus would do to her sister.
Elena full heartedly believed that the Original Hybrid was threatening Serena and that's why she didn't go to the others for help. It's the only logical explanation Elena could think of. Klaus was holding Serena against her will and compelling her. Serena was a good person and Elena knew she loved her family. Elena couldn't give up on her.
"Why hasn't he made a move yet?" Elena questioned. "He just up and left, taking Serena with him. He knows we tried to kill him, but there's been nothing. Just my slow spiral into insanity."
"Join the club." Bonnie said as she slouched against the table they were sitting at. "Every time I close my eyes, I have that nightmare. On repeat."
Elena frowned at her friend's words, "The same dream?"
"Yeah." Bonnie nodded her head. "Four coffins, Klaus is in one of them. It's weird."
Elena thought about it for a moment, "What if it's not just some dream?" She pointed out. "What if it's like a witch dream?"
"It's just stress. I'll figure it out." Bonnie answered. "And what about Stefan? Has there been any sign of him?"
Elena sat up and shook her head. "He betrayed us Bonnie. If it hadn't been for him, Klaus would be dead and Serena would be here. The Stefan we know is gone." Elena tasted the sourness in her mouth as she spoke about Stefan. She wanted to still believe that the Stefan she fell in love with was still in there, but his actions were telling her that that Stefan was long gone.
"How is Damon handling it?" Bonnie asked.
"Damon is," Elena paused and glanced back towards the bar where said vampire was drinking with the town's resident vampire hunter. "Damon." Elena was well aware of the spiral Damon was falling into. With Stefans betrayal and Serena's disappearance, there was a lot of weight settling itself on the vampire's shoulders.
Elena was right, of course, about Damon not handling his brother's betrayal and his sister's kidnapping well. The look on Serena's face when seeing Mikael was burned into his brain. Damon had thought Mikael would be the easy answer, but after learning he had invited his sister's first killer into town left a bad taste in his mouth. Sure, Mikael could have killed Klaus without Stefans betrayal, but then what? Would Mikael have turned on Serena and killed her as well?
Damon didn't want to think about that. His sister's death in his human life still haunted him. The fact that Katherine was still around and he hadn't killed her was also another reason to add to the guilt he felt. Now Klaus had his hands on Serena and was off god knows where, doing god knows what to her.
So, to block out the angry, dissatisfied thoughts, he was drinking away his sorrows. "Ok, I'll give you a choice. Bloody Mary or Screwdriver, brunch in a bottle." Damon gestured to the collection of liquor bottles in front of him. "Come on Ric, I can't drink all this by myself. I mean I can, but then somebody's getting naked." Damon smiled and winked at the cute female bartender before looking over at his best, and only, friend. "Oh man I can't believe you're making me drink alone."
"I'm busy." Alaric snapped at the vampire beside him.
"It's the eve of Klaus-ageddon, and you're doing homework?" Damon questioned the sanity of the history teacher.
Alaric could only shake his head. "This may come as a shock but I am not here to hang out with you." Alaric explained. "I'm here to see Jeremy. Who is an hour late for his shift."
"Kids today," Damon took a sip of his drink before adding, "Where are their values?"
Alaric placed a small stack of papers on the bar and pointed to the large red F that marked the top page. "That's his mid-term paper. Copied it straight off the Internet. He didn't even try to hide it."
Damon glanced over at the paper, "Ohhh, somebody's getting grounded."
"Did you say you were waiting for Jeremy?" The cute bartender that's been working behind the bar and serving Damon spoke up. "As in Jeremy Gilbert?"
"Yeah." Alaric nodded his head.
"He was fired last week." The bartender informed him before moving on and serving the other patrons at the bar.
"Oops." Damon muttered before drowning in his drink. When the vampire finally had enough of sitting at the bar, he moved onto a change of scenery. Keeping his drink in hand, the vampire posted up in front of the dart board. He stood throwing the darts, unaware that one of the reasons why he was drinking himself stiff was about to walk into the restaurant.
~Break~
I was well aware that life isn't always fair and that you can't always stop bad things from happening. I had suffered through my fair share of tragedies, but as Niklaus and I drove back to Mystic Falls after finding an empty truck and no coffins, I felt like I deserved more than just tragedies.
The drive back to Mystic Falls was a somber one. I had thought last night would have been the end of my troubles, but now I was being forced to deal with a whole new set of problems. Mikaels death should have been the turning point, a fresh start for the Mikaelson family, but now three of the brothers are missing. Three of my Fated Ones were missing, and I had no idea how I was going to get them back.
The ache in my chest was an annoying reminder of what I had taken away. Stefan had crossed a line in taking the coffins, one I feared he would end up paying for with his life. The rage and bloodlust wafting off the Original Hybrid left no room for guessing how he felt about his missing brothers. The energy around Nik reminded me of the wolf inside of him, a wolf that wanted out of its cage. I had a feeling I was going to have to be the one to keep Nik from going on a killing spree in Mystic Falls.
"I have a feeling Bekahs probably at the boarding house." I spoke up. "It was the last place she was at and I know there was a dagger somewhere in the house." It wasn't too far-fetched to think that Bekah had been daggered. There was no way she would have just left town.
I looked down at my hands as a wave of nerves washed over me. "I know this is going to sound naive of me, but if I could just talk to Stefan, maybe I can convince him to give the coffins back." I knew it was laughable and dumb to think that Stefan would just hand over the coffins because I asked him to, but I wanted to believe that the bond Stefan and I shared would be enough to fix this.
"As much as I wish to believe that Stefan is an understanding chap." Nik said with a sneer on his lips. "I am well aware that he won't be giving up the coffins until he's felt fulfilled in his little revenge scheme." Nik's words rang true and the small amount of hope I had felt growing in my chest was crushed with the reality of the situation.
"What are we going to do now?" I asked. I wasn't sure what kind of answer I expected to hear, but it wasn't what Nik said next.
"Were going to get a drink," I looked over at Nik and titled my head; curious as to what he meant. Before I could ask, the SUV came to a stop and I looked out the window to see we had parked in front of the Grill. "Come along, love. It's about time you properly introduce me to your family."
I got out of the car and Nik flashed up beside me as we walked up to the Grill. There was a man standing just outside the doors and as we approached I felt the air flex around him. I couldn't help but grow tense as we approached the man.
Nik pulled me in close and whispered into my ear, "Easy, love. This is Tony. He's second in command to the pack I have spread out in Mystic Falls." I nodded my head in understanding. I could feel the energy wafting off the hybrid and could vaguely remember seeing him the night before at the Lockwood's house.
The hybrid nodded at Nik and opened the door to the Grill for us. Nik kept his arm wrapped around my waist with his hand gripping at my hip. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the overwhelming feeling I would have normally felt in the overcrowded restaurant was overpowered by the Original Hybrid standing beside me.
I spotted Damon and Elena as soon as we entered the restaurant. I could pinpoint Damon's energy and saw him standing with Elena near the dart boards. I listened in on their conversation as we approached them.
"You okay?" Elena asked Damon as the vampire took a deep drink of the amber colored liquor from the glass in his hand.
"What makes you think I'm not okay?" Damon sassed back as he took aim at the dart board. He of course didn't miss the mark.
Elena frowned at the vampire. "Well, you're day drunk. It's not exactly your most attractive look." Elena said as she watched Damon throw another dart.
"Hmm," Damon hummed into his drink, "What is my most attractive look?"
"Ah, ah, I'm not saying you have any attractive looks." Elena spoke as Damon moved closer to her. "I'm saying this is my least favorite one."
I couldn't help but make a face as Damon got even closer to Elena and said, "Noted. See if I can make any improvements." I had the thought of wanting to gag at the blatant flirting happening in front of me.
"Whatever's happening here, please make it stop." I announced as I approached the two, causing both of them to look up in shock, and fear as they noticed Nik standing beside me.
"Serena." Elena looked at me with wide eyes as she looked between the Original Hybrid and myself. "Are you alright? What happened last night?"
Before I could answer Damon stepped up beside Elena and addressed Nik, "You gonna do this in the Grill? In front of everyone? It's a little beneath you, don't you think?" Damon held Nik's gaze as he tried to get closer to me.
Nik saw his movements and reached out to pull me closer to his side. "I don't know what you are talking about." Nik smirked and gestured towards Tony who stepped up beside him. "I just came down to my local pub to grab a drink with my girl and a mate. Get a round in, would you Tony?" Tony walked away at Niks orders and went up to the bar.
"I'm surprised you stuck around town long enough for happy hour." Damon sassed as his eyes wandered to me. "You had us worried, little sister. You should run home and get some rest. Don't want to end up as a high school drop out."
I rolled my eyes at Damon's words and said, "Don't be an ass, Damon." Damon simply smirked at me as I crossed my arms over my chest.
Nik let out a deep chuckle, "I think I've grown rather fond of your little town, mate. Think I might fancy a home here." Nik waved his other hand around and glanced around the crowded restaurant before looking back at Elena and Damon. "Oh I imagine you're wondering how this will affect you, and the answer is, not in the slightest. As long as I get what I want and everyone behaves themselves you can go on living your lives however you choose. You have my word."
"What more could you possibly want?" Elena asked as her eyes flickered between Nik and I. I could see her anxiety in the way she crossed her arms over her chest and spoke to the hybrid.
"Well for starters, you can tell me where I might find Stefan." Nik answered.
"Stefan skipped town the second he saved your ass." Damon glared at Nik.
"Well you see that is a shame." Nik's grip on me loosened slightly as he reached out and took a dart off the table Damon had set them on. He threw it and hit the target dead center. "Your brother stole from me. I need him found so I can take back what's mine."
"That sounds like a Klaus and Stefan problem." Elena commented.
"Ha. Well this is me broadening the scope, sweetheart." Nik said back.
I let out a sigh and shook my head at the back and forth happening in front of me. "Stefan didn't take just anything." I spoke up and all eyes were now on me. "He took the coffins that Elijah and his brothers are in."
"He did what?" Damon snapped out as his eyes grew wide. "Is he an idiot?" He seethed with anger.
"Yes, well, he has proved himself to be less than willing to be creative." Nik commented dryly. "It would be in your best interest to find your brother before I do." Nik's threat struck Damon and the younger vampire glared at the Original.
"Right, well I'll be sure to let you know if he pops up." Damon snarked. "Now, not to change the subject, but what's it going to take for me to get Serena out from under your evil thumb." Damon's smirk was full of mirth and distaste. His words had me rolling my eyes and shaking my head.
"Damon. I'm not being held captive." The vampire frowned at my words and I let out a soft sigh. This wasn't going to be an easy conversation, but it was a conversation that needed to happen, just not here. "There's a lot I need to tell you, but not here. Just please, keep an eye out for Stefan, and tell him that I need to talk to him."
Damon didn't look happy, but before he could say anything, Elena placed a hand on his arm and drew his attention to her. He glanced at her and she shook her head. Silently telling him not to pursue the conversation.
"I would listen to her." Nik said as he titled his head and sent Damon a hard look. "I'm not in the most forgiving mood." With that said, Nik turned us around and we headed for the doors. Tony was waiting for us and as we got closer, I felt Elena approach from behind.
"Wait, Serena," I stopped and looked back at my sister. The look in her eyes made my heart weep. My sister was scared and I knew it was because she was scared she would lose me, just like how we lost our parents and Jenna.
My words felt stuck in my throat as my sister and I stared at each other. Like always, there was so much that needed to be said, but I knew now wasn't the right time to explain things to her.
"It's going to be okay." It wasn't much, but all I could do was try and reassure her.
Elena didn't look reassured, but before she could say anything else, Nik pulled me away. He sent the doppelgänger a glare and hurried me out of the restaurant. I couldn't help but look back at my sister and watch as her eyes grew misty. I worried my bottom lip between my teeth as we stepped out of the Grill and Nik pulled me towards the SUV.
Nik quickly opened the passenger door and ushered me into the vehicle. He flashed to the other side of the car and as soon as the door was shut, he drove off.
We left the town square behind and drove past the smaller neighborhoods. I recognized that we were heading towards the larger estates of Mystic Falls and wondered where we were going. The car slowed down and Nik turned down a long cement driveway and I stared with wide eyes as we drove up to a large mansion.
"Nik, what is this place?" I asked as the hybrid stopped the car and turned it off.
"This, sweetheart. Is our new home." My head snapped away from gawking at the large mansion to stare at Nik with wide eyes. "Come now, love. Let me give you the grand tour."
Nik waited for me at the front of the SUV. He offered me his arm and I looped mine through his. He led the way up the steps to the large double doors that had been opened by what I felt to be more of Niks hybrids. After stepping inside I was taken back by just how large the place was.
The foyer was bigger than both the kitchen and living room back at home combined and the grand staircase leading up to the second floor was breathtaking. I was in awe at the sheer size and beauty of the place. There was still plastic sheeting on the floors in some of the doorways and I could see men working on different parts of the house as Nik showed me around the first floor.
"The hybrids have their own homes in the back." Nik explained as we walked down the hallway leading into what looked to be a sitting room. "The kitchen is back here and the dining room is off that way. And here we have the parlor." There was plastic and tools all over the room, as well a single couch. "The upstairs will house all the bedrooms and down here will be my studio and the study."
"Studio?" I asked with curiosity as Nik moved toward the couch and pulled us both down on top of it.
"Yes, I've become quite the artist over the years." Nik began to explain. "I'll show you the pieces I've completed and you can judge the work for yourself." The cocky grin he sent me had me believing he thought quite highly of his work.
"I would love to see it all." I wanted to know all about the art Nik had created in his years without me. I wanted to know about everything. The good and the bad. I wanted to tell him how much I've longed for this moment that I once thought would have been impossible.
But that line of thinking reminded me that this moment was incomplete. Elijah, Finn, and Kol were still daggered and Bekah was missing.
Nik frowned and I knew he must have noticed the depressed look on my face. He gently cupped my cheek with one hand and the other was used to pull me closer to his body.
"What is it, love?" He asked as I leaned into his touch and closed my eyes. "Is there something wrong with the mansion? Anything you want changed, I'll have it done, sweetheart."
I shook my head and reached up to hold onto Niks hand. I pushed my face further into the palm of his hand. "It's perfect, Nik," And it was. All of this was perfect, but we were missing four very important people to share this perfect moment with. "I miss them." I spoke softly. "I've missed you. And Bekah." I rubbed at the spot above my heart. The ache was still there and it reminded me of the mornings I would wake up when my mind would try to remember the faces from my past.
I didn't fight Nik as he pulled me onto his lap. I tucked my head between his jaw and collarbone. The feeling of his skin against mine, and his scent filling my nose, made memories of our past flood my mind.
Nik held me close and I felt him place his lips close to my ear. "We'll get them back, love." He ran his fingers through my hair. "I will burn this town to the ground to reunite you with my brothers."
I shivered at the words he spoke. There was something about him willing to burn down the town that I grew up in that made my heart stutter and my stomach fill with warmth. The feeling frightened me and I knew it should have caused more concern, but I couldn't make myself feel that way. There was a much stronger part of myself that felt protected by his words.
"I know." I whispered softly. I basked in his presence and the feeling of the ache in my chest became lighter. I needed this moment with him. The feeling of the bond between us made me want to cry. I would never have guessed that I would ever get this kind of chance after dying three separate times. A lot of time had passed between us and this moment was something that should have been impossible.
All of this should have been impossible. But here I sat, clutching onto a man who I only knew through my memories.
I let out a shuddering breath and pulled back from Nik before saying, "We should go and find Bekah."
"Of course, love." Nik didn't allow me to pull back any further and held me close. "She'll be less than thrilled about certain developments, but I'm sure she'll be delighted to be undaggered." Nik ran his nose against my throat, causing my body to jerk. Warmth filled my stomach as Nik continued to sniff at my neck. A pleasant shiver ran down my spine at the affection I was receiving.
"Nik," I hadn't meant for his name to come out so breathy as he nipped at the junction between my neck and shoulder. I felt him smirk against my skin and shivered again as he placed a soft kiss on the spot he nipped. "I don't think Bekah will appreciate us taking our time in finding her." I managed to give myself just enough space between Nik and I to get some coherent words through my lips.
He let out a sigh and pulled me back towards him. "Fine. I will behave myself, for now." Nik gently placed me back onto the couch and stood up. "Tony. Vanessa." Tony and a woman hybrid I hadn't met yet, walked into the room and nodded to Nik. "Tony, have some of the others spread out around the place, keep any unwanted visitors from getting too close." Tony nodded his head before leaving to do what Nik had asked of him. "Love, Vanessa here is going to watch over you while I go and retrieve our dear Rebekah."
I frowned and stood up before saying, "You're leaving me here? I'm not sure Damon will just let you go searching around his house, Nik." I was also concerned about Damon saying something stupid and getting himself killed, not that he wouldn't do that if I was there, but I had at least had a better chance at keeping him alive if I was there.
"Not to worry, love." Nik sent me what was definitely not a very reassuring smile. "Best behavior, remember." And with a kiss on the cheek, the Original Hybrid was gone and I was left in the home being built around me.
"I have a bad feeling about this." I muttered softly.
~Break~
Klaus arrived at the boarding house and couldn't help but compare the hovel to the mansion he had built for his Fated One and siblings. When Serena had refused to leave Mystic falls, Klaus began thinking of the home he would build for her. Because were it anyone else, he would have just forced them to leave the small drab town. But it wasn't just anyone else, it was Serena, and he would do anything for her. So he built her an extravagant home that her, and his siblings, could live comfortably in. At least until he could convince her to leave Mystic Falls behind and allowed him to show her the world.
The Original Hybrid walked into the boarding house and found the eldest Salvatore pouring himself a drink. Klaus walked to the center of the living room and placed his hands behind his back and addressed the younger vampire. "I think it's about time we had a drink, don't you?"
Damon was unsurprised to see the hybrid in his home and raised his glass in greeting. "I'd say we're overdue." Damon was well aware that he was out matched when compared to Klaus and knew it was best to play along and hope he didn't say something stupid to piss the Original Hybrid off and end up with his heart ripped out of chest.
"Well, you've been so busy with all your plotting and scheming." Klaus spoke as he eyed the vampire before him. He thought the vampire to be quite unremarkable and did not understand why his Serena would want to spare this vampire's life. He was unsure about the relationship between the Salvatores and Serena, but knew that she cared for the brothers, and that didn't sit well with him.
Damon shrugged his shoulders and said, "You know me. Never miss a chance to plan an epic failure."
Klaus smirked and shook his head. "Don't be so hard on yourself. Who could have guessed your own brother would betray you?" Klaus raised a brow. He did so enjoy planting little seeds of strife into those he viewed as his enemies, and while Serena had expressed a need to keep these people safe, Niklaus was not above a little verbal torment.
Damon sneered at the hybrid's words before saying, "Well, I did have a front row seat when your sister lied to you." He felt a little victorious being able to point out that Klaus' siblings also betrayed him.
But Klaus was unfazed by his words and simply shrugged a single shoulder before saying, "Yeah, well she's fickle that one." He smirked and continued with, "It was probably smart of you to dagger her, considering she was feeding me all the information I would need about your little plan with Mikael."
Damon frowned at the hybrid's words and titled his head, "Now why would she go and do a thing like that? She seemed to hate you quite a bit considering it was you who killed her mother."
"Yes well, she was quite angry with me over that little secret, but she was far more concerned with the fact that you had brought back the man who killed the woman she viewed as a sister over a thousand years ago." Klaus narrowed his eyes at Damon. "Bekah is quite fond of Serena and wasn't about to let your little plan put her in danger. Mikael would have been more than willing to kill Serena without a second thought. So my sister forgave me for the past and we worked together, that is until you daggered her. So tell me, where can I find her in this hovel of a home."
Damons grip on the glass of bourbon in his hand tightened at the reminder that Mikael had killed Serena. He had been unaware of what Mikael had done to his little sister until it was too late and Mikael was already awake and in Mystic Falls. Hearing Serena confront her killer the night Klaus was meant to die, had physically pained Damon. He had thought he was protecting her, but he had only managed to place Serena in even more danger. Now Klaus had his hands on her and Damon was unsure how he was going to get her back.
The vampire was angry at himself, but he was more than furious with the Original standing in his home. Damon reached back and picked up the decanter full of bourbon and asked the hybrid, "Drink?" He then refilled his own drink before filling another glass and presenting it to Klaus.
Klaus took the glass from the vampire and said, "Cheers mate." He raised his glass and Damon mirrored the movement.
"Down the hatch." Damon muttered before both men took a drink.
Klaus removed the glass from his lips and the conversation continued with him saying, "You know, we've actually got a lot in common, you and I." The comment made Damon pause for a second as he refilled his drink.
"Really?" Damon raised the brow and looked over at the hybrid before nodding in agreement, "Well, yeah. Maybe we can bond over our mutual loathing of my brother. Considering he stole your family and what not."
"Yes, my family." A small grin turned up at the corner of Klaus' lips. "I had them daggered and boxed up. Just waiting for the day when I saw fit to wake them. And he went in and pinched the bloody lot." The grin turned into a sneer. He had promised Serena he would reunite her with his brothers, her Fated Ones, and Stefan had to go and ruin it all.
While Klaus couldn't place all the blame just on poor Stefans shoulders, considering he did dagger Elijah before his brother could tell him about Serena after the curse had been broken, Klaus still found justice in turning his anger on the younger Salvatore brother.
"Of course he did." Damon shrugged. "Such a buzzkill, my baby bro. Well, I'd love to find him. Just the trouble is, I sure as hell don't work for you." Damon almost visibly cringed at the deadly look Klaus sent him. It was honestly a miracle the hybrid hadn't ripped his head off.
"You know, your drink stinks of vervain- so I can't compel you." Klaus glanced at the drink in the younger vampire's hand before locking eyes with him. "Serena has asked me not to kill you, but I'm finding it quite hard to control myself." Klaus watched in satisfaction as Damon gulped and looked visibly scared at the moment. "But I actually keep my promises, so I wont kill you, at least not right now. So I'll have to come up with a more convincing way to get you to find your brother."
Damon did everything in his power to keep a straight face as Klaus leered at him. Damon felt danger rolling off the hybrid the second he walked into the boarding house, but nothing could have truly prepared him for the power he felt in that moment.
"But, I'll hold off on my plans of convincing you." Klaus raised his hands as if to show Damon that he meant no harm. "Just show me to Rebekah and I'll get out of your hair."
Damon was unable to stop the shaky breath that escaped as Klaus took a step back. "Right," He cleared his throat. "She's downstairs."
Klaus followed behind Damon as the younger vampire led the way down to the cells where they had left Rebekah's daggered body. Damon pushed open the door to the cell and allowed Klaus to enter the space while he stood back. "My poor sister. I can't turn my back on her for a moment." Niklaus commented as he leaned down to investigate the dagger that had been pushed into his sister's back. He felt a flare of anger seeing that his sister had been stabbed in the back, granted, he had no room to talk considering he had stabbed each of his siblings, but never in the back.
"You should know," Damon said from the cell's doorway, "It was Elena who stabbed her. When she wakes up she'll no doubt go after her."
Niklaus lifted his sister into his arms and turned to face the older Salvatore brother. "I can control Rebekah." He stated. "You just worry about finding your brother and my coffins before I lose my patience and start picking off the people you care about, one by one." With his threat hanging heavily in the air, Klaus sped away from the boarding house and quickly made his way back to the home he was building, and back to Serena.
~Break~
I stood up from the couch after Nik left. There was an awkward silence that I tried to fill by asking the women Nik had called Vanessa, "So, what's it like being a hybrid?" I immediately regretted my question and cringed at my own bluntness. "Sorry, you don't have to answer that."
The woman shrugged, "It's alright." She sent me an amused smile and I felt slightly less uncomfortable about the situation. "Being a hybrid has been an adjustment. I'm not one for pack life. But it's been easier to deal with the vampire side of things with a pack that is also still adjusting to it." I was surprised at her honest answer and nodded my head in eagerness to hear more.
"Are you all from the same pack?" I asked before growing tense when a few construction workers walked into the room. They didn't even glance in our direction and just continued working as if Vanessa and I weren't even there.
Vanessa paid the humans no mind and answered my question, "Not all of us. My mate and I were lone wolves before Klaus came to us and turned us into hybrids. The others are from the two packs in the North Western territories."
I titled my head in curiosity and asked, "Your mate?" I was intrigued by the idea that werewolves had mates and wanted to understand more about that.
"Yeah, my mate. His name is Beck. We met the night of my first full moon, about six years ago, and we've been together ever since." Vanessa had a smile on her face as she spoke about Beck. It wasn't hard for me to see that she cared very deeply about her mate.
"Is it easier now, not having to change every full moon?" I asked.
"Oh yeah." Vanessa nodded with enthusiasm. "The change was excruciating and I dreaded it every month. But now, I don't have to change, and it's been freeing."
I smiled softly at her words and felt an ounce of pride knowing my blood had helped her find some peace from the werewolf curse she had been born with. "You said you were getting used to being in the pack, do you miss it being just you and your mate?" I knew I was asking a lot of personal questions, but I couldn't help but want to know about the bloodline Nik had created, and Vanessa had been kind enough to answer them.
"Yes, and no." Her answer was honest as she began to explain, "Beck and I were good alone. We enjoyed being able to travel and do things on our own terms. We tried the pack life years ago and found that it just wasn't for us."
I titled my head as curiosity filled my thoughts, "Why stay here with the pack then? As a hybrid you can now travel even more now without having to worry about the full moon."
Vanessa's smile dropped as she shook her head. "Beck and I feel obligated to Klaus for the change. Leaving feels," She paused and thought of the word. "Wrong."
I frowned at her words, but before I could say anything, the sound of someone shouting caught my attention. Both Vanessa and I stuck our heads out into the hallway to see what was happening. The commotion was coming from the front doors, but all I could see was someone standing in the open doorway.
I walked down the hall and as I approached the tense figure standing in the doorway I heard a familiar voice say, "He's with me, Daniel. He just wants to talk to his sister." I immediately recognized Tyler's voice and hurried forward to see who was with him.
The hybrid blocking the door noticed my approach and moved out of the way. "Jeremy?" I was surprised to see my brother and Tyler standing there and quickly made my way down the steps towards them.
Jeremy closed the distance between us and pulled me into a firm hug. "Serena." He held me for a moment before pulling back and saying, "Are you alright? Did Klaus hurt you?"
I shook my head and said, "I'm alright, Jer. I promise. But what are you doing here?" I looked between Jeremy and Tyler.
"Elena said that Klaus took you after what happened at homecoming." Jeremy began to explain. "Tyler mentioned that Klaus was building a house here and I figured you might be here."
I frowned at the worry in Jeremy's voice and hugged him again. "I'm sorry, Jeremy. I didn't mean to worry you guys. I should have called and told you I was okay."
Jeremy pulled back and placed his hands on my shoulders before starting to question me. "What happened after homecoming? What does Klaus want from you? Why won't he let you come home?" The bombardment of questions Jeremy let off made my head spin and I quickly stopped him by placing my hand against his mouth.
"Easy there, Jer. Take a deep breath." I waited for him to take a deep breath in through his nose before removing my hand. "There's a lot I have to tell you. But I need you to be calm first."
Jeremy searched my eyes before nodding his head. Seeing that Jeremy had come looking for me reminded me just how much Jeremy cared. I could tell he was worried and I knew I owed him a proper explanation, and if I was going to tell anyone the truth, then Jeremy was a good start. Seeing how he would react to what I had to tell him would help me in telling the others.
I decided that now was better than never, but before I could invite Jeremy inside, a voice growled out, "What's he doing here?" I turned around to find Tony, the hybrid Nik had mentioned being his second in command. "Klaus said no one gets past the boundary." He glared at Tyler. I moved to place myself in front of Jeremy and glanced between the other hybrids and Tony.
"He's her brother," Tyler began to explain. "He just wanted to check up on her. He's not a danger to Klaus."
Tony sneered at Tyler, "Doesn't matter who he is. He shouldn't be here." I frowned at the hybrid's words and would have said something, but both Vanessa and Daniel moved in to stand in front of me.
"Tyler's right. The kid's not a threat to either her or Klaus." Vanessa spoke up. "Klaus ordered us to keep her safe, but I'm pretty sure the kid won't hurt his own sister."
"You don't get a say, loner." Tony growled at the female hybrid. "I don't take orders from you. Now move aside."
As the hybrids continued to growl, I slowly began to push Jeremy back and watched as Tyler moved to stand in front of us. Tony and Vanessa stared each other down and Daniel moved so he was standing directly next to Vanessa. The energy wafting off the hybrids had the hair on the back of my neck standing straight up as the beast inside each of them came to surface.
"Hey!" I shouted and each of the hybrids turned their attention onto me. "That's enough with the growling." The tension eased out of the three hybrids standing in front of me, but Tony continued to glare in my direction. "Jeremy is my brother. He doesn't have to leave unless I say he does."
Tony growled and said, "Klaus gives the orders, not you."
I narrowed my eyes at the hybrid and clenched my fist. "I don't really care what kind of orders Nik gave you and you can let him know I said that." I took Jeremy by the arm and walked up the steps. Tyler, Vanessa, and Daniel flanked us as I approached Tony. "Now, if you don't mind, my brother and I have a lot to talk about."
I wasn't about to let Tony intimidate me into sending my brother away. If he wanted to cause problems, then he could bring it up to Nik and we would see who was right in this situation. I walked right by the angry hybrid and led Jeremy into the mansion. I could feel the other three hybrids following us as I made my way down the hall and walked into the sitting room Nik had left me in earlier.
The room was empty now and I looked back at the three hybrids. Before I could say anything, Vanessa spoke up and said, "We'll be right outside if you need anything." I nodded my head at her, thankful that she understood that I needed to be alone with my brother. She closed the sliding doors and left Jeremy and I alone in the room.
I sat facing Jeremy and watched as he looked around the room we were in. "This place is huge." He muttered. "How much money does this guy have?" He looked back over at me and I shrugged.
"I'm not quite sure. But when you've been alive for a thousand years, I think money just tends to pile up." I answered and Jeremy looked at me with wide eyes. I could see even more questions forming in his head. "Why don't I start from the beginning, ok?" Jeremy nodded his head and I sent him a reassuring smile. "I know Bonnie might have told you a little about what I am."
"Yeah, she told me something about you being a Fae." Jeremy shook his head and looked down at his hands and continued with, "But she wasn't able to translate everything about it in the grimoire."
"I'm not surprised." I squeezed my hands together and thought about where to start. This conversion was a difficult one, but I wanted to tell my brother as much as I could. I just prayed he was understanding and didn't look at me differently. I took a deep breath and started with saying, "Fae are creatures directly connected to the balance in nature. My mother, my real mother, told me that Fae are beings who withhold the balance. I can feel the energy in all living things, even you."
Jeremy held my gaze as he swallowed thickly and asked, "So Fae are pretty powerful, huh?"
"That's something I'm not sure about." I answered honestly. "My mother died soon after I came into my bloodline. She wasn't able to teach me how to use any of my gifts. I've kind of just been guessing a lot." Jeremy smirked at my words and I smiled softly.
The grin Jeremy had disappeared as he asked, "How come Klaus took you? Does he know that you're a Fae?"
"Yeah, he knows what I am." I answered. "Jeremy, I knew him. A thousand years ago, before the creation of vampires, I knew the Originals as humans."
Jeremy's eyes went wide. "You were alive a thousand years ago?" I nodded. "How? I mean, how did you know them?"
"It's a little complicated, but I grew up with them. They were a part of my beginning." I explained. "And I was a part of theirs. Niklaus is only one of five six siblings. He has two older brothers, Finn and Elijah. Then there's Kol, Rebekah, and Henrik." I smiled sadly at my memories of our lives a thousand years ago. "My family didn't live in the village like Nik and his family did, but my parents would trade with the villagers and we were there often. As a child I would play with the siblings and we grew close."
"How did they become vampires?" Jeremy asked. I let out a sad sigh at his question.
"Henrik, the youngest, died after being attacked by a werewolf. Their mother couldn't handle his death and asked me to help her create a spell that would protect her children. So I gave her some of my blood." I cringed slightly at the memory of Esther cutting my hand open. "I didn't know what the spell would do to them, but I cared about them and wanted to help. Fae blood is powerful and because I had given my blood willingly, the spell their mother used on them, rewrote the balance. I helped create the first vampires."
Jeremy's jaw fell open in shock. "You helped create vampires." I nodded my head.
"Yes. But I didn't know that they would become vampires. I just thought that I was helping in keeping them safe. I cared about them and after Henrik died, I didn't know if I could handle any more death." Thinking back on that night brought up some bad memories. Having to watch my Fated Ones die wasn't something I ever wanted to witness ever again.
Jeremy looked down at the floor and I could tell that he was thinking hard about what I had just told him. "What happened to you?" He looked up at me. "I mean, how did you end up being born as Elena's twin?"
"I died." I admitted. "Mikael killed me after finding out that Niklaus wasn't his son and that his wife had slept with another man. After that, I came back, over and over again."
"But how?" He asked, wishing to understand.
I looked down at my hands and squeezed my fingers as a distraction. "Fae create bonds with the people they care about, connecting us to them, and vice versa. But there is one bond that we create that's stronger than any other bond we will ever create. When my mother met my father, a bond connected her to him, one so powerful that when my father died, she followed him in death. He was her Fated One."
"Fated One?" My brother titled his head as he said the words.
"It's like a soulmate. The bond a Fae shares with their Fated One is so strong that it can defy time. My mother once told me that she had waited twenty lifetimes to meet my father." I explained. "It's a sacred bond, one that can't be broken."
I waited for Jeremy to process everything that I had just told him. His brows were creased together as he thought over my words. "Did you have a Fated One?" I gave him a single nod and I could see him beginning to realize what I was saying. "Who?" I averted my eyes and heard him sputter before asking, "Is Klaus your Fated One?" I looked up at him and saw the horror written clearly on his face. "Serena, he killed Jenna. He killed Elena!"
I shook my head. "I know, Jeremy." I spoke softly and reached out to take his hand in mine. He allowed me to touch him and I squeezed his hand. "I know what he's done, and I know I should be disgusted with his actions, but all I can think of is that it's my fault it all happened."
"No," Jeremy shook his head. "Serena, none of what happened is your fault."
"It is. It is because I wasn't strong enough to stop Damon from compelling me and sending me away. I know now that if I had stayed, I could have broken the curse without Elena having to die." A sob broke through my throat and I squeezed my eyes shut as I said, "And I know that Nik wouldn't have killed Jenna if I was there."
I opened my eyes and looked at Jeremy. "Serena," He paused and shook his head before pulling me into his arms. "I'm sorry."
I wrapped my arms around my brother and held onto him. "I'm sorry too. But I promise, I won't let anything happen to you or Elena." We held onto each other for a long moment and I basked in the bond I shared with him.
Jeremy pulled away and I sniffled softly as we looked at each other. "You know, you and Elena really have terrible taste in guys." I couldn't help but laugh at Jeremy's words. He grinned at my reaction and all the tension I had been holding onto faded away. I knew things were not perfect between us, I could tell he wasn't happy about Niklaus being my Fated One, but Jeremy was willing to be understanding, and that's all I could ask of him.
The sound of Jeremys phone ringing filled the air and my brother pulled the device out of his pocket. "It's Elena. She's probably freaking out." He let out a sigh and denied the call before putting his phone back in his pocket. "Are you going to tell her about Klaus and your past?"
I nodded my head. "Yeah. I'm going to tell her."
Jeremy frowned and nodded his head. "She's going to freak out, that's for sure." He then shook his head and stood up from the couch. "I have a feeling there is more to all this, but I'm happy that you told me about your past."
"I love you, Jeremy. I always will." I stood up and pulled my brother into my arms.
"I love you too, Serena." Jeremy then stepped back. "I'll let Elena and Alaric know that you're alright."
"Thanks." I gave Jeremy a soft smile and he returned the look before heading for the doors. Daniel pulled the doors open before Jeremy could even touch them.
"Tylers outside. He said he'd wait for you." Daniel informed Jeremy. My brother nodded and looked back at me. I gave him a small wave and he returned the gesture before walking out of the room.
I looked over at Daniel and asked, "Can you make sure he gets to Tyler, please?" The hybrid nodded his head and followed after Jeremy.
As I stood there, I took in a deep breath and relaxed my shoulders. I felt a calming sense of relief knowing that Jeremy was now aware of what was going on with me. I knew I still had a lot to tell, and he realized that as well, but he now had a better understanding of what was going on. I was grateful that he had listened to what I had to say and did not completely freak out. Now I just had to figure out how I was going to tell the others.
I knew that it was going to be hard for them to understand. I mean, I didn't even bother telling Jeremy the fact that I had four Fated Ones because I knew it would be hard for him to accept something like that. But in the end, this was my reality. Fae aren't human, we don't love the same way that humans do. My mother once told me that Fae create bonds and that those bonds tie us close to those Fate deems worthy of a Faes love. Now I just needed to figure out how I was going to get everyone to understand that.
Just as my mind began to spiral over the idea of telling my friends and family about my past, I felt a change in the air. I quickly walked out into the hallway and watched as Nik entered the mansion. He held Bekah's unconscious body in his arms. Her face was a sickly gray color with dark colored veins spread out across her skin. The sight of her reminded me of when Damon had staked Elijah.
"Is she…" My words trailed off as Nik walked further into the mansion.
"Don't worry, love. Rebekah will be fine." I followed Nik as he walked past me and into the dining room. He laid Bekah down on the large wooden table that was currently covered in plastic. I watched as he tilted her body on its side and pulled the dagger out of her back. I frowned at the sight of the blade in my friend's back. To think that my sister could have been the one to stab Bekah in the back made me sick.
"Now then, love. What's this I hear about the youngest Gilbert paying a visit, hmm?" Nik placed the dagger on the table and turned away from his sister. "I don't remember saying you can have a guest, Sweetheart."
I frowned at his words and crossed my arms over my chest. "He's my brother, Nik. He just wanted to make sure I was alright."
The Original Hybrid frowned and took a step towards me, one that matched with my own step back. He then raised a brow and took another step, one that I again matched with my own step back. A look flashed in his eyes, one that had shivers running down my spine and goose bumps spreading across my skin. Before I could even blink, Nik flash forward and crowded me against the wall. I placed my hands on his chest and gripped at his shirt as I suddenly became overwhelmed by his familiar scent. I found myself being transported to a thousand years ago as memories of our past filtered through my mind.
Our eyes stayed locked onto one another and I couldn't stop myself from falling into his gaze. He pulled me in as close as he could, and with one hand gripping at my hip and the other holding on firmly to the back of my neck, he clashed his lips to mine. I returned the kiss with everything I had and released the tight grip I had on his shirt so I could wrap my arms around his shoulders. I gripped at the short hairs on the back of his head and arched my body into his.
I suddenly found myself being lifted up off the ground as Nik gathered me into his arms. He didn't dare pull away from my lips as a breathless sigh escaped me from the sudden movement. The wall was then replaced with the soft cushions of the couch in the sitting room. Nik laid his body over mine. He finally removed his lips from mine and moved onto pressing kisses down my neck, starting with my fluttering pulse point.
The fog my brain was under cleared somewhat for me to remember the many construction workers and hybrids who were still in the mansion. "Niklaus," I hadn't meant to say his name so breathlessly as he continued to peppered kisses down my throat. I felt embarrassed at the sound and a flush spread up from my chest to my cheeks.
"Shhh, love. No one is here to hear you." Nik's words were meant to reassure me, but since I was so overwhelmed by him, I couldn't feel anyone elses energy besides his. Nik provided a distraction as he nipped at the skin just above my breast, making me jolt and moan at the intense feelings he was causing me to have.
My mind was completely lost as I gave into him completely. A pleasant warmth was building up inside of me and all I wanted was to get closer to Nik. I didn't even think twice before spreading my legs and wrapping them around his hips. The movement made Nik growl in my ear as he settled between my legs. Our lips reconnected and this time Nik traced my bottom lip with his tongue, causing me to gasp and allow him entrance.
Excitement raced up and down my spine as he slid his hands under my shirt and slowly began to move the fabric up wards. My own hands were busy roaming over the expanse of his chest before reaching over his shoulders and gripping onto his back.
I arched into his touch as his fingers traced my stomach and moved up my rib cage. I found myself completely absorbed by him and was blind to the world around us. That is until a voice spoke up and shattered the moment. "Honestly, Nik. Is this the sight I must reawaken to after being daggered by that backstabbing doppelgänger."
I felt my entire body freeze up at the sudden intrusion and quickly pulled away from Nik to find Bekah standing in the doorway. The flush I felt deepened knowing Bekah had just caught Nik and I in such a position. Granted, I could vaguely remember this happening before, a very long time ago, but that didn't stop the embarrassment I felt.
Niks head fell between my neck and shoulder as a frustrated growl rumbled up from deep within him. "Sister, as always, your timing is impeccable." Nik grumbled as he lifted his head up to face his sister.
Rebekah rolled her eyes and waved her hand around, "Will you please release poor Serena. I believe we have a lot to discuss, and where are our brothers? I'm surprised they would willingly leave you alone with Serena."
I couldn't help but cringe at Bekah's words and felt myself grow cold. Nik shifted from above me and stood up off the couch. He offered me his hand and helped me up. I did my best to fix my disheveled clothing before looking at Bekah.
The Original Vampire's face fell as she looked between Nik and I. "What happened? Nik, where are our brothers?"
I glanced over at Nik and saw the anger and frustration he felt written out on his face. "Stefan stole the coffins after Nik released him from the compulsion." I broke the silence and answered Bekah's question. "After Nik killed Mikael, we went to get your brothers, but they were already gone."
I watched as Bekah's emotions filtered across her face as she took in my words. I knew she was relieved that Mikael was dead, but the worry and anger over hearing that her brothers had been taken while they were daggered out weighed her relief.
Her face scrunched up with disgust before she said, "That low life of a vampire dares take our brothers." She seethed. "What are we doing to get them back?"
"No one has seen him since the night Mikael was killed. He left town, but I'm sure he'll show up." I explained. Bekah didn't look convinced and sent her brother a pointed look. "Listen, I know this looks bad, but if I could just talk to Stefan and maybe none of this has to end in bloodshed."
"Hmm. I don't think Stefan is going to be reasonable about this, love." Nik spoke up. "He took our family, and I for one will not be tolerant when dealing with him and those who helped him."
I frowned at Niks words, but held my tongue. I understood what he was saying and knew he wasn't about to let Stefan get away with taking his daggered brothers, but I didn't want to see Stefan die because of this. Stefan had been my brother once, someone who I shared a bond with and though our relationship was damaged, the memories I had of him and Damon were a part of me.
Life isn't fair, I knew this very well. Choosing between my Fated Ones trapped in coffins and my brother from another lifetime wasn't something I ever thought I would have to do.
"I'll talk to Damon tomorrow." I announced. "He'll be more inclined to listen to me and help us with finding where Stefan took the coffins." Bekah nodded her head at my words, while Nik only frowned. "He won't tell you anything, Nik. Damon and Stefan have had their rough patches over the last hundred years, but they're still brothers. Damon won't tell you anything if it means keeping Stefan safe."
"She's right." Bekah said in agreement with me. "The Salvatore brothers are loyal to each other. Although, we could always use the doppelgänger as bait."
"No, Bekah." I frowned at her and she simply shrugged her shoulders. "We aren't going to use Elena to get to Stefan."
"Well," Nik raised his brows at his sister's suggestion and I glared at both of the Mikaelson siblings.
I crossed my arms over my chest and stated, "Absolutely not. Elena is not going to be used as a bargaining chip. I'll talk to Damon tomorrow and find out about Stefan. Just let me try and talk to them before any more blood is shed."
Bekah shrugged her shoulders before saying, "Fine." Her eyes then began to wander around the room we were in. "Now then, where's my room?"
I watched as Nik rolled his eyes at his sister before saying, "Incomplete, Rebekah." He gestured around the room where tools and plastic were laying on the floor. "The rest of the furniture should be here by tomorrow and the room will be completed by the end of the week, so for now you have the option of the couch in here, or the couch in the study up stairs."
Bekah scoffed and stomped her foot before turning on her heel and leaving the room. I couldn't help but laugh lightly as she left. When Bekah was out of the room, I felt Nik come up beside me and wrap his arm around my waist. I looked up at him and smiled softly before asking, "Is it alright for me to stay here tonight?" Nik frowned at my question.
He turned to me so I faced him. He then gently took my chin between his fingers and made me look him in the eye. "You, my love, never have to ask." I stared into those familiar ocean blue eyes and felt my heart stutter in my chest. "Come, let me show you something." Nik released my chin before reaching down to grasp my hand. I let the Original Hybrid lead me out into the hall and towards the stairs. My hand felt warm in his as we walked up stairs.
Seeing the up stairs reminded me of just how large the mansion was. There were multiple rooms being built, most of which were still empty as I peeked inside some of the open doors as Nik led me down the hallway. We stopped before an ornate set of double doors. Nik released my hand and opened the doors before standing to the side and gestured for me to enter the room.
I walked into the room and took notice of just how large it was. It was mostly bare with the only large furniture being a wooden bed frame that was still missing the mattress. The room had dark wood floors with plastic covering most of it. The walls were bare, but I could see paint cans and rollers set out on the plastic sheets. I stepped further into the room and noticed an open door leading into an ensuite bathroom.
"There's still much to be done." Nik spoke up as he followed me into the room. "Anything you want changed, just let me know. I can have different furniture brought in. The walls painted a different color. Anything you like, sweetheart."
I turned around and faced Nik with a stunned expression. "Is this," I paused and waved my hand around, "My room?" I asked.
Nik smiled and nodded. "Yes, love. This is yours."
I couldn't help but look around the room in a new light. The room was beautiful. Even incomplete, I could see the beauty in it. I felt a bubble of emotion begin to well up inside of me. Knowing that Nik had thought of creating a space for me in the home he was building for his family, had a feeling of warmth spreading throughout my body. "It's beautiful. Thank you, Nik."
He smiled, a true genuine smile, as he stepped closer to me. He gently cupped my face in his hand and pulled me closer with the other. "I could only ever dream of doing something like this for you, love." He admitted to me. "You were a far off dream that I longed for every night, and now here you are. I will happily give you everything you desire."
I believed him, and while I didn't voice my desire aloud, I knew he understood that my only desire was to be reunited with his brothers. I wanted Kol, Finn, and Elijah to witness the home Nik was building for all of us. My desire was wanting them here to enjoy discovering their own rooms and creating their own spaces. I wanted things to go back to the way they were a thousand years ago.
I reached up and held Niks face in both of my hands and pulled him closer. "Thank you." I thanked him again before closing the space between us and kissing him. The kiss was soft and gently, my way of expressing just how much this all meant to me. I couldn't help but pray to the Fates that the mess Stefan had caused would be settled soon and that my Fated Ones and I would be reunited.
~Break~
Elena was pacing the living room floor when Alaric walked into the house. Earlier Jeremy had admitted to her that he had asked Tyler to take him to see Serena wherever it was Klaus was keeping her. He mentioned that she was safe and that she even explained herself to him, but he refused to tell her what their sister had said. It irritated Elena when he wouldn't tell her what Serena had said to him, but Elena was far more worried over the fact that her brother had put himself in danger by going to where Klaus was staying.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Alaric asked as he entered the living room. Elena stopped pacing and faced the vampire hunter.
"Jeremy went to see Serena today." Elena explained as she shifted from one foot to another. She felt nervous and uneasy knowing Jeremy had gotten close to Klaus, even if he had reassured her that the Original Hybrid hadn't been there.
"Oh." Alaric's eyes grew wide for a second. "What happened? Was Klaus there? What about Serena?"
Elena shook her head, "No, Klaus wasn't there. But the hybrids he sired are all over the place. Jeremy said one of them wasn't too happy he was there, but Serena had handled it." Elena hated the fact that Klaus had hybrids spread out throughout the town. It made her nervous to be outside her own home. "I don't know what's going on with Serena, but I can't stand knowing Jeremy could have gotten hurt today. I feel like I've already lost one sibling, I can't lose Jeremy too."
Alaric nodded his head in understanding just as Damon walked in from behind him. "You called?" Damon looked at Elena and watched as the girl nodded her head.
"Yeah. I want to go through with it. Sending Jeremy away until Klaus is taken care of." Elena stated with assurance. Alaric looked between the vampire and the girl he looked after and nodded his head in agreement.
The history teacher already felt like he had failed in keeping the kids out of danger, with Serena being in Klaus's clutches. So he was willing to send Jeremy away if it meant keeping the younger Gilbert safe.
The three of them headed up stairs and Elena knocked on Jeremys door. She heard her brother invite her in and both her and Alaric stepped into the room. "Hey. Can we talk?" Elena asked as Jeremy moved to sit on the edge of his bed.
"Yeah, sure." He nodded his head. Alaric stayed back in the doorway as Elena approached her brother.
"I've been thinking about what you said earlier. About how we should pack up and go." Elena was referring to when the siblings had had a heart to heart about everything that was going on in Mystic Falls. Jeremy had mentioned leaving and starting somewhere new. But after seeing Serena, Jeremy decided he didn't want that anymore.
Jeremy trusted Serena. She had willingly shared her past with him and while he wasn't happy about some aspects of it, he didn't care, because his sister was alive and safe and that was all that mattered to him. "Elena, I didn't mean any of that." Jeremy admitted with a soft sigh. It had been a spur of the moment thing when he mentioned leaving town. Now he was ready to face whatever came next, because he knew Serena wouldn't keep him in the dark, not like how Elena tended to.
"But you were right." Elena started to explain. "You shouldn't have to give up a normal life, just because of this town. Just because of me."
Jeremy shook his head; not liking where this conversation was going. "What's going on, Elena?" He almost didn't want to know the answer. But as Damon stepped into the room, he knew it was too late to do anything about what was going to happen next.
"Your sister thinks we should have another one of our talks." Damon said as he took Elena's place and held eye contact with the younger Gilbert. "Here's the thing, Jer. You're gonna get out of town for a while, a long while. You're going to stay with some nice family friends in Denver. You're gonna be at a new school, you'll meet new girls, living girls. You're going to drink a few beers, take an art class. You do whatever you want."
Jeremy felt his mind start to cloud over, and while a small part of him tried to fight it, he ultimately had no choice but to listen to the vampire's words.
"Tell him he's going to leave Mystic Falls behind and never think twice about it." Alaric added as he watched his friend compel the boy he had been watching over since Jenna died.
Damon looked away from Jeremy to get Elena's opinion. The girl nodded her head and Damon reconnected his gaze with Jeremy. "You're going to leave Mystic Falls behind and never think twice about it. You're going to have a better life, Jeremy."
Elena stood there with tears in her eyes as Damon compelled Jeremy to leave the town they grew up in behind. When Damon finished, Elena quickly left Jeremy's room and headed out onto the front porch of the home she grew up in.
"I feel like a horrible person." Elena admitted as she stood outside. Damon had followed after her and stood near as she wiped her tears away.
"You just saved his life, Elena." Damon assured her. "Take it from me, strange is bad, death is worse."
Elena shook her head, not convinced this was the right thing. "I just can't stop thinking about what happened the last time I asked you to compel him. Or about what happened to Serena when you compelled her." Elena admitted.
"Jeremy found out and got over it. But he wasn't dead." Damon stated. "Serena was different. But again, she isn't dead, and I plan on keeping it that way."
Elena nodded her head before saying, "Thank you."
"No problem." Damon shrugged.
"Not just for this, Damon." Elena started to say, "For everything. I don't know what I would do if you weren't here."
Damon thought over Elena's words for a moment before choosing to say, "You should know this, Elena. Stefan didn't screw us over. He screwed us over but he had a good reason." Damon explained. Sometimes he hated that Elena made him want to be the better person, but he didn't want his brother to be seen as the villain. No, Klaus was the only villain here.
"What?" Elena asked in confusion. Not understanding what Damon was talking about.
"He saved Klaus to save me." Damon explained. "Then he stole the coffins to get even."
"What?" Elena shook her head and stared at the vampire in disbelief. "Damon, if he did it to protect you then," She paused, "Why would he even do that? What does it even mean?"
"What's it even mean?" Damon asked back. "Means I'm an idiot." The vampire took a step closer to Elena. "Because I thought for one second that I wouldn't have to feel guilty anymore."
"What? What are you talking about?" Elena asked. "Guilty for what?"
"For wanting what I want." Damon admitted.
"Damon." Elena looked into his eyes and saw the turmoil he was going through in that moment.
"I know." He spoke softly. "Believe me, I get it. Brother's girl and all." Damon took one last look at the girl he loved before turning and walking away. It was for the best, but in that moment, the best hurt him deeply. So deeply that he decided it wasn't worth it. "No!" He stated as he turned on his heel. "No, you know what? If I'm gonna feel guilty about something, I'm gonna feel guilty about this."
The kiss was sudden, but Elena did nothing to pull away or stop it from happening.
"Good night." Damon said once he ended the kiss. He walked away without looking back and Elena was left standing there, not knowing what to do or how to feel.
A/N: I never would have thought I would have ever gotten this far in with this story. I am honestly so happy right now knowing I am posting Chapter 26 of a story that I had just wanted to get out of my head. I cannot thank all of you wonderful and supportive readers enough. Three years ago I would never have guessed I would have 50,000 views on this story. So thank you. A big thank you to those who have followed and favorited, and an even bigger thank you to those who have left reviews.
Thank you for sticking around for the ride, and as always, stay safe out there.