Chapter 2
The Dungeon of Xander's Mansion.
Caroline woke up on the cold dungeon floor. Her hands were bound by chains, and sharp pain pierced through her entire body.
"Oh my God, what have I gotten myself into this time? A bar, then that strange man... He killed me.." A dim lamp illuminated the stone floor of the basement, but there was no one around. Caroline tried to stand, but a new wave of pain shot through her body.
"What's happening to me?" The vampire fought against the agony, and all the terrible sensations seemed to concentrate in one spot.
"What the hell is this?"
Noticing a tattoo on her arm, she touched it and nearly passed out from the touch. The pentagram-shaped tattoo glowed red.
Suddenly, the dungeon grew incredibly cold, and four dark shadows began to approach the terrified Caroline.
"Who are you? Please, don't touch me!"
Her scream filled the entire room.
The Dining Hall of the Mansion
The hybrid held Xander by the throat with his deadly grip, shouting,
- I don't hear an answer! You know it's better not to make an enemy out of someone like me!
Around 20 of Xander's followers burst into the room.
- Klaus, dear, calm down.
The warlock looked at him with mockery and feigned fear. - First of all, if you kill me now, it won't solve anything. In a few minutes, I'll come back fresher than I am now. Let's sit down, discuss everything, and have some bourbon...
- Where's Caroline, Xander? What have you done to her? I swear, if she's dead. - The Original's eyes were filled with pain and endless hatred.
- She's alive. I wouldn't kill such a beauty just like that. I need the runes. Give them to me, and you'll get the girl.
Klaus loosened his grip a little but remained just as angry and wary.
- Why should I believe you?
Xander smiled broadly and signaled to his men.
- Bring our guest.
Ten minutes later, Klaus began to hear Caroline's approaching screams.
- Please, let me go, hide me from them! They're coming for me!
Her voice was full of fear and hysteria.
In an instant, the hybrid was beside her, pulling her from the servants' hands.
- I'm here, Caroline. I won't let anyone hurt you again, I promise.
- Let me go, please - the vampire sobbed, continuing to beg.
Madness was written all over her face.
- What did you do to her, Xander?
What's wrong with her?
The warlock, casually sipping his drink, smiled and said,
- Your friend is under a small curse. Let's call it my insurance.
Give me the runes, and I'll lift it.
- I don't have the full set with me, and you know it! Don't play games with me!- Klaus's rage was reaching its peak.
- Don't get heated, I understand.
You can go to New Orleans or wherever you keep them, l'll wait.
If you want, you can take the girl with you. - Xander's tone was falsely friendly.
- I don't need your permission.
Klaus growled, holding the sobbing Caroline tightly against him. - Undo what you've done to her! Or I'll kill you very, very slowly.
- Dear, let's not forget that I'm also a 'tough guy. I have ears everywhere, people everywhere.
I know what keeps you tied to New Orleans. - Xander said this casually, but he still took a few steps back from Klaus.
In the next moment, the enraged Klaus had Xander pinned against the cold stone wall, growling and hissing in his face.
- Don't you dare open your mouth about my family. I will destroy everyone you know, everyone you've ever loved, love now, or will ever love.
Xander's eyes revealed fear, though he desperately tried to hide it. The Original, of course, saw and felt it, but the warlock was playing with Klaus, playing his own game.
- Now, undo what you've done to her!
- Alright, alright. Don't get worked up, dear. Give me a drop of your blood.
Xander snapped his fingers, and two servants headed toward Caroline, who was sitting in the corner. The hybrid immediately stepped in to protect her.
- Klaus, relax, I'll do what you asked. I'll fix it. Mademoiselle Caroline is under an ancient curse. She's in a sort of trance, seeing things that those who walk the earth cannot. She's caught between two worlds, like in a prison, but not a stone one-a prison of her mind.- He spoke with incredible pride, Xander was pleased with the delicate work he had done.- A very good curse when you need a powerful supernatural being to start losing their mind.
The warlock slowly took the vampire's hand and began to chant a spell over her tattoo. It turned red again and started to change its pattern.
- Give me your blood, Klaus. A drop of your blood on the pentagram.
The hybrid bit into his wrist, and a few drops of blood fell onto Caroline's hand.
The pentagram returned to its original pattern, and Caroline began to scream in agony.
- Let her drink your blood, it will make her feel better."
The hybrid's eyes filled with blood from what was happening. He rushed to the girl and let her drink from his wrist.
Gradually, the agony faded, and Caroline's body began to relax.
She collapsed into the hybrid's arms, opened her eyes, and in a weak voice said,
- Klaus, is that you? Don't let me go, please… - After that, she fell asleep.