Caroline resisted the urge to shift under Elijah's gaze, feeling the weight of his assumption of her being this big key to redeeming Klaus. When the witch Sophie returned she let out a relieved sigh as Elijah's focus was pulled from her and to the witch instead.
"I'm glad you feel that way, because we need your help." Sophie informed Elijah.
"What, precisely, is it that you want and what does it have to do with either of these two young women?"
"We want to run Marcel and his vampires out of town. Klaus is the key. Everything Marcel knows about being a vampire, he learned from Klaus. Marcel trusts him, looks up to him, and he won't see the betrayal coming." Sophie's words were filled with certainty.
"Yes, well, as I'm sure you're aware, my brother Niklaus doesn't like to be told what to do." Replied Elijah.
"That's why I brought you here." Said Sophie. "Marcel drove the werewolves out of town decades ago. Do you really think he's going to welcome a hybrid baby to the neighborhood? Convince Klaus to help us, and no one has to know about the newest member of the Original family and if that fails to convince him then that's where Caroline comes in. Regardless of whether he'll care about his child or not he cares for her. And I have no doubts he'll do what he has to to keep her safe. It'll be a shame if her immortal vampire life was cut short."
"That sounds remarkably like blackmail." Said Elijah evenly.
"Like I said, I'm desperate." Sophie said, her jaw set defiantly.
"Well, then, I have my work cut out for me, don't I?"
Caroline hated how they were discussing her like she wasn't there but she was starting to think Sophie was crazy. For one she kidnapped her and was threatening her family and was threatening Hayley and her unborn child and she seemed to have no problem with blackmailing an Original to get what she wanted.
Klaus and Stefan walked into the party, there were vampires everywhere feeding and dancing and drinking. Klaus scanned the place, searching for Marcel. Stefan was a few feet behind, trying not to focus on the craze haze of the vampires or the feeding or the blood.
Klaus grabbed a vampire he recognized as one of Marcel's men. "Where's Marcel?" He demanded.
"Who the hell's asking?"
Klaus glared. "I assume you're joking."
"I only answer to Marcel." The vampire replied defiantly.
"Well, then, in that case, perhaps you'll answer to this." Klaus allowed his face to change, exposing his hybrid features and wrapped his hand around the vampire's throat threateningly. "You're aware the bite of a werewolf can kill a vampire? Well, as you can see, I'm half-werewolf, so I'm gonna ask you one more time!" Anger rolled off him in waves as he demanded again. "Where is Marcel?!"
"H-hey. I'm right here. I'm right here." Marcel emerged from the crowd of party goers and maneuvered himself in between Klaus and the other vampire Klaus had previously been threatening. "Easy, now. Diego's just looking out for me. Nobody harms my guys. Those are the rules."
Stefan nearly groaned at those words, telling Klaus to not do something was usually a guarantee he was going to do the exact opposite. It was only a matter of time, like a clock ticking down the hours, minutes, seconds until it happened.
"I don't care about your rules, Marcel." Klaus glared. "I don't need chaperones. Why are you having me followed?"
"Come here. I get it, huh? Show of force." Said Marcel and attempted to get Klaus to back off from Diego. "You made your point. Let it go, friend. For me."
"Fine."Klaus grudgingly backed off his face having returned back to normal. "Why don't you show me what you've done with the place while you explain exactly what it is you've been up to in my town."
"Follow me." Said Marcel, leading Klaus further through the crowd.
Stefan felt his ire rising, partly because he was feeling on edge in the crowd of impulsive reckless vampires and partly because he felt like they were no closer to finding Caroline and were continuingly going in circles in the process of trying to find her.
Marcel had led Klaus out onto a balcony, Stefan stood back against the wall as the two stared out at the city, hands on the railing.
"Look at that skyline." Said Marcel, gesturing to all the buildings and high structures, lighting up the night sky. "That there, that's progress. More hotels, more tourists, more fresh blood. And the humans? I taught them to look the other way."
"And what of the witches?" Asked Klaus, hoping to glean some information on them in hopes something might clue him in on Caroline's whereabouts. "In my time, they were a force to be reckoned with, and now they live in fear. How do you know when they're using magic?"
"Maybe I got a secret weapon, an ace up my sleeve, something that gives me complete control over all the magic in this town." Said Marcel with a smirk, eyes glinting.
"Hmm. Is that a fact?" Asked Klaus.
"Might be." Replied Marcel. "Or maybe I'm just bluffing." He popped something into his mouth from his hand, eating whatever it was.
Klaus smelled the familiar toxic herb or toxic to vampires herb anyway. "You take vervain?"
"Burns like a bitch. But I figure I should limit the number of things I'm vulnerable to." Said Marcel in response to Klaus's question. "Don't be mad about that chaperone thing. I told my guys to look out for you, that's all. That's what we do here... Look out for each other."
They watched the street below and saw a blonde woman walking alone. "Mmmmm. New blood." Grinned Marcel.
"The bartender walking alone at night." Klaus remembered her from the bar that he visited the Devaraux witch. "She's either brave or dumb."
"Let's see." Said Marcel. "Brave, I let her live, dumb, she's dessert." Marcel jumped over the balcony, landing silently just behind the blonde. "You know, it's not safe here alone."
The girl turned to face him. "You know, I have a black belt in karate."
"What are we doing?" Stefan asked Klaus, he felt like they were getting nowhere fast in finding Caroline.
Instead of answering him he watched Marcel and the blonde below until he felt a familiar presence. "Evening, Elijah."
Stefan turned in surprised to see Elijah.
Elijah looked at Stefan for a moment. He was pretty sure he knew why he was here. That he most likely came in search of Caroline. It was the only thing that could explain why he was with his brother. Elijah turned his attention back to his brother. "Niklaus."
"What an entirely unwelcome surprise." Klaus commented.
"And what an entirely unsurprising welcome." Returned Elijah. "Come with me."
"I'm not going anywhere. Not until I find Caroline and who's conspiring g against me." Klaus stated, there was no way he was going anywhere until he found Caroline.
"I believe i just found that out for you." Said Elijah. "And where Miss Forbes is."
Klaus turned sharply to his brother. "Where is she?"
Stefan had pushed off the wall at the mention of Caroline. "Have you seen her?"
Elijah glanced at Stefan shortly before focusing his attention on his brother, how his reaction was instantaneous the moment he mentioned anything about Caroline. How that was what Klaus had latched onto of what he said , not that he had found who was conspiring against him but of Caroline, wanting to know her whereabouts. "I have to admit Niklaus I was surprised to learn how deep your connection to Caroline Forbes went."
"Where is she?!" Klaus growled advancing on his brother. "Tell me where she is Elijah!"
If he hadn't saw inside Caroline's head and seen the moments she shared with his brother he would have been surprised by the intensity of his brothers reaction. "I'll take you to her. You just have to come with me."
There was no hesitation in Klaus's steps when Elijah began to lead the way out of there and Stefan quickly followed.
"What are we doing here?" Klaus asked in irritation as they moved through the cemetery Elijah had led them to. "Is this where Caroline is being held?"
"What to know what the witches have in store for you?" Asked Elijah. "Follow me."
Klaus steps stopped abruptly, his eyes narrowly in displeasure. "You said you were taking me to Caroline, Elijah."
Elijah stopped, turning to face his brother, seeing the anger, frustration and distrust written plainly across his face. "Is finding her more important than finding out whose currently working against you?"
Klaus stepped further getting in Elijah's face, wanting to make himself clear. "Caroline is the reason why I am here. Finding her and making sure she is safe is the only thing that matters right now."
"Very well." Said Elijah. "Then follow me."
Stefan watched Elijah, it seemed to him like Elijah was more intent on deciphering Klaus's every reaction. He didn't really care why only hoped that Elijah wasn't just jerking them around and really was leading them to Caroline. Stefan fell in step behind them as Elijah singled out a crypt.
They entered the crypt and Sophie Devaraux was there with two other witches waiting. But Klaus didn't have eyes for any of them. But only for the blonde he could see shackled to the wall, familiar blue eyes staring back at him. "Caroline?" He breathed and was crouching in front of her instantly, uncaring that his back was to three witches, all that matter was that Caroline was right in front of him.
"Finally." Caroline said impatiently. "I was wondering when you'd get here?"
"Sorry, to keep you waiting, Love." He brushed her hair back.
"Caroline?" Stefan rushed to her side. "Are you alright?"
Caroline looked at Stefan in surprise. "Stefan? What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you." Stefan frowned. "You're mother's worried sick about you, I barely talked her out of coming here herself."
"But she's okay, isn't she?" Caroline worried. "She's safe?"
Stefan's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why wouldn't she be? You're the one we need to be worried about."
"No, I'm fine." Caroline shook her head. "but there's witches watching all of you, threatening, especially my mom."
"I think you're definition of fine differs from mine, sweetheart." Klaus cut in, his hand reached out, fingers grasping her wrist, overlapping the shackles that kept her chain to the wall, bringing Caroline's eyes back to him. "Why haven't you tried to break free?"
Caroline gave a shake of her head."I tried but couldn't."
Klaus nodded, and pulled on the shackles, attempting to break the locks but failing. He growled in annoyance, his face morphing as he applied more strength.
"I don't think you'll be able to break them." Caroline told him discouraged.
"I won't have you being trained to a wall like a dog!" Klaus growled, eyes locking with hers.
Caroline stared back at his hybrid eyes unflinchingly. "I wouldn't be in this mess if it wasn't for you."
"What are you talking about?" Klaus looked at her in confusion, seeing the familiar hostility in her eyes that he hadn't seen in weeks. Not since before they gotten closer as actual friends. And he couldn't help but wonder, what could have put that look back in her eyes.
"I'm sure you'll be finding out soon enough." Caroline muttered.
Stefan looked back and forth between the two, feeling like he was missing something, surprised at the ease at which Caroline interacted with Klaus when confronted with Klaus's hybrid side. He shook his head to clear his thoughts focusing on Klaus. "Can you break those or not, Klaus?"
Klaus didn't bother answering vocally, he kept his gaze on Caroline as he applied more strength to the shackles, the metal snapping making a clanging noise as they did so, the chain falling from her wrist landing on the ground with a clatter, he did the same with her other wrist, freeing her from the chains not once breaking eye contact.
Caroline felt relief hit her being free of the chains but pushed it down reluctant to feel any sense of gratitude towards Klaus at the moment. She attempted to stand up but stumbled a little from sitting too long due to her being chained to the wall for God knows how long, she felt Klaus hands wrap around her arms in an attempt to steady her but she quickly shrugged his hands off her with a glare. "I don't need your help."
"Are you sure you're alright?" Stefan asked in concern, she seemed to be angry with Klaus which was completely understandable since the reason why she was even here was because of Klaus but it almost seemed like something else.
Klaus didn't know why Caroline seemed to be angry with him but he figured it could wait until he dealt with his witch problem now that he knew she was safe. He turned toward the witch in question. And saw both her and Elijah watching him with interest, he ignored the obvious curiosity in Elijah's eyes about his interaction with Caroline and focused on the witch instead. "Sophie Devaraux." He recognized her as the witch he talked with earlier. "What is this?"
"He's all yours." Elijah told Sophie. "Proceed."
"You know you're famous in this town?" Sophie began. "Witches tell bedtime stories about the powerful vampire Klaus. We know Marcel was nothing but an orphaned street rat until you made him what he is. And now he's out of control. He does what he wants. I'm gonna stop him... And you're gonna help me."
"This is why you kidnapped Caroline?" Asked Klaus his eyes narrowing.
"Witches talk." Said Sophie. "We know how much you care for her."
"Then you should know I won't hesitate in punishing you for attempting to use her against me." Klaus growled stepping forward.
"Wait." Elijah moved, quickly placing a hand on Klaus's chest to stop him from advancing any closer to Sophie, seeing the dangerous look in his brothers eyes despite the fact that he reverted back to normal. "Hear her out."
"I don't need to hear her out. They took Caroline and kept her chain to a wall like an animal!" He growled, brushing his brother hand off of him, his angry gaze settling on Sophie. "There is nothing she could say that will stop me from showing her what happens when you go after Caroline and I won't waste anymore of my time."
"This isn't a waste of your time, brother." Argued Elijah.
The crypt door opened and Haley was escorted in by two more witches.
Klaus stared at her in confusion. "Why in the bloody hell is she here?" He demanded. It wasn't like Hayley was anything to him, her presence didn't make sense. Especially when they had already gotten their hands on Caroline, someone who he would tear apart the city for if he had to.
"Klaus... You need to listen to them." Hayley told them, voice grave.
Klaus laughed incredulously before turning to Caroline. "This is why you're angry with me? Because of her?"
Caroline glared in response, crossing her arms across her chest.
Klaus shook his head and chuckled derisively. "You're all out of your minds if you think some liquor-fueled one night-stand..." he waved his arm in Hayley's direction. "No offense, sweetheart... Means anything to me."
"I'm very aware of that and that is why Caroline is here but Hayley has a purpose for being here." Sophie said, standing straighter her face set in determination. "Marcel may be able to keep us from practicing real magic in this town but as keepers of the balance, we still know when nature has cooked up something new. For example, I have a special gift of sensing when a girl is pregnant."
"What?" Klaus said, sure the witch wasn't implying what it sounded like she was implying.
"I know. It's impossible." Said Hayley.
"What are you saying?"asked Klaus.
"Niklaus..." Elijah said, voice strong and unwavering. "The girl is carrying your child."
"No. It's impossible." Klaus shook his head in denial. "Vampires cannot procreate."
"But werewolves can." Sophie cut in. "Magic made you a vampire but you were born a werewolf. You're the original hybrid, the first of your kind and this pregnancy is one of nature's loopholes."
"You've been with someone else." Klaus growled at Hayley because there was no way any of this was true. It couldn't be nor did he want it. "Admit it!"
"Hey. I spent days held captive in a freakin' alligator bayou because they think that I'm carry some magical baby." Hayley snapped back at him. "Don't you think I would have fessed up if it wasn't yours?"
Caroline couldn't help the snort that escaped her. Klaus sounded like all those men who came on the Maury show denying that he was the baby daddy and Hayley sounded like one of the mother's swearing up and down that it was their baby.
Stefan shot her a look wondering if she lost it because he didn't see anything funny about this situation, let alone that Caroline was caught up in this mess.
Caroline just shrugged his look off. If she didn't find some kind of amusement that Klaus and Hayley of all people were going to have a baby together she might just lose it. She hated that Klaus slept with Hayley and she hated that she even cared who he slept with. So she rather find amusement in the situation than dwell on why it bothered her so much.
"My sister gave her life to perform the spell she needed to confirm this pregnancy." Said Sophie passionately. "Because of Jane-Anne's sacrifice, the lives of this girl and her baby are now controlled by us. If you don't help us take down Marcel, so help me, Hayley won't live long enough to see her first maternity dress."
"Wait, what?" Hayley didn't like the sound of that.
"Enough of this. If you want Marcel dead, he's dead. I'll do it." Said Elijah, not wanting the baby or it's mother to come to any harm.
"No. We can't, not yet." Sophie refused. "We have a clear plan that we need to follow and there are rules."
Elijah looked to his brother, awaiting his reaction, his answer, hoping his brother would make the right choice but doubting that he would. Niklaus rarely did the right thing unless he benefitted from it in some way.
"How dare you command me, threaten me, with what a baby? Something you wrongfully perceive to be my weakness."
"We know exactly what your weakness is." Glared Sophie. "Why else do you think Caroline is here?"
"Leave Caroline out of this!" Snapped Klaus angrily. "She has nothing to do with this."
"Then maybe she shouldn't have gotten so entangled with you." Retaliated Sophie. "And like it or not she's apart of this now. And if you don't do exactly as we want Caroline's vampire life will meet a premature end before the week's end."
Caroline bristled at the threat to her life and she felt Stefan tense beside her but their reaction was tiny in comparison to Klaus's.
An animalistic growl escaped his chest followed by a loud thud and a cry of pain as Sophie was slammed into the crypt wall, Klaus's hand wrapped securely around her throat, hybrid features flashing menacingly. "I will not have you threatening her life."
"Niklaus.." Elijah said warningly, surprised how quickly Klaus's anger rose at the mere threat to Caroline's life.
"Stefan, mate." Klaus said without breaking his hated glare on Sophie. "Take Caroline and go. Get her out of here and don't leave her side until I tell you to because if anything happens to her I will hold you personally responsible."
Stefan nodded, swallowing. He hadn't heard Klaus that angry since that time when he took Klaus's coffins. "C'mon." He placed his hand on Caroline's back, giving her a nudge forward.
Caroline stumbled forward, past Elijah and Hayley, past the witches, Sophie and Klaus but hesitated glancing back at Klaus. She was angry with him, yes but it felt wrong to just leave.
Klaus felt her eyes on him and finally tore his glare away from Sophie to look at Caroline. "Get out of here, Love. We'll talk once I have this all sorted out."
"What about the threat to my mom?" Caroline hesitated.
"I'll take care of it. No harm will come to your mother." he promised. "Now go."
Caroline still hesitated until Stefan grabbed her arm and walked her out of the crypt and broke them out into a run as they vamp-sped out of the cemetery.
Once she disappeared out the crypt Klaus turned his hybrid gaze back to Sophie, his hand flexing around her neck. "Threatening Caroline trying to get what you want from me was a stupid move. I should rip your heart out on principle and shove it down your throat!" His tone dark and gritty.
Sophie felt a sliver of fear course through her veins, she could hear the intent but even worse she could see it, monstrous hybrid features staring back at her that he meant every word. She reluctantly admitted to herself that she might have underestimated his rationality concerning the baby vampire, Caroline Forbes, she clearly meant more to him than even the witch spirits had led on.
"Let her go!" One of the other witches exclaimed.
Klaus smirked darkly at Sophie. "I think a demonstration is in order." He pushed Sophie against the wall causing her to grunt as her back slammed against it, releasing a moment later and in a blur of movement he was in front of the other witch who had spoken and with no hesitation plunge his hand into her chest, fingers curling tightly around her heart, squeezing maliciously, the witch gasped in pain, blood building up in her throat, clogging it up and escaping out at the edges of her mouth. Klaus gave a violent twist of his hand and yanked the witch's heart out.
A sharp intake of breath sounded from Hayley at the same time Elijah exclaimed in disapproval. "Niklaus!"
Klaus turned back to a stunned Sophie and a disapproving Elijah, he tossed the witches heart at Sophie's feet, hand covered in blood. "Take this as a warning Sophie Devaraux because if you go after Caroline again it will be your heart on the ground at my feet, my hand drenched in your blood." He glanced at Hayley. "And as for Hayley. Kill her and the baby. What do I care?" He turned on his heel, taking off not waiting around to see how they would react to his actions.
Sophie pushed off the wall, staring down at the heart at her feet with a grimace before stumbling toward the body of her fallen witch sister. She stared down at her jaw clenching, anger rising.
If Klaus thought this was over he was wrong. If he thought she didn't make precautions he was wrong. And he was wrong if he thought Caroline's involvement in this was over. He couldn't be more wrong. She made sure Caroline would be so entangled in this that there would be no leaving New Orleans for her. But more importantly if the baby died so did Caroline. He would have no choice but to do as she wanted or risk losing Caroline something she was more sure than ever that he would not risk.
No, this wasn't over. Not even close. She would get what she wanted. Klaus would do as she wanted, she would make sure of it.