Hello everyone! Thank you for your comments and feedback, it means the world to me and inspires me greatly. This chapter turned out short, but I have a lot of exciting things planned for you! Enjoy your reading!

Chapter 3

Two days later*

Due to the rainy Paris weather and complete exhaustion, Caroline had been asleep for over a day. Klaus, lost in thought, stood by the window. The clock struck noon.

"According to that bastard's words, the curse will be eased by my blood." The thought of the girl suffering filled him with rage.

"When will she wake up? I absolutely need to do something, I can't just rely on chance and let Caroline's life drift." thought the hybrid as he glanced at the sleeping girl. "She's still just as beautiful. I didn't even realize how much I missed her. Still so full of light…"

Suddenly, Klaus's internal monologue was interrupted by a knock at the door. It was Elijah.

- I took the first flight, Niklaus. I had a feeling! It's good I wanted to fly with you. - Tell me what happened.

The older Original promptly entered the hotel room and sat down at the small table, gesturing for his brother to start explaining. Klaus filled Elijah in on Xander's plans with the runes and the curse he had placed on the girl.

- We need to talk to Freya, brother. Maybe she can figure something out. I'll take care of it, - Elijah said firmly.

From the adjacent room, soft moans were heard, and Klaus instantly jumped from his seat, reaching Caroline's bedside at vampire speed, biting into his wrist to ease her suffering.

- Does she have werewolf venom in her, Niklaus?

- That bastard tied my blood to her curse, it's the only thing that makes her feel better.

Caroline latched onto Klaus's arm and drank a little.

- Thank you, - she said in a weak voice. - Klaus, why am I here…? What the hell is going on? How did you find me and save me…? - Though her voice sounded tired, there was a hint of defiance in it, which made the corners of the Original's lips rise involuntarily.

- You crossed paths with one of my enemies while you were searching for some witch. He captured you to blackmail me.

- We haven't seen each other in years. How did he even know we were acquainted? Why would he assume I mean anything to you? - Caroline was furious, - It's not like you go around shouting about it?

Klaus didn't have time to respond as his older brother intervened in the conversation.

- I think the key lies in the studio, doesn't it, brother? - noted Elijah. He cherished Klaus's more humane side and understood perfectly that the blonde was one of the few who brought that out in the hybrid. - Hello, Caroline.

- What are you talking about? - the blonde was confused, - What is he talking about? - she shot a fierce glance at Klaus.

- I don't think you should be worrying so much, love. Xander saw the drawings I made, that's all.

Caroline wanted to retort sarcastically but didn't. She remembered the day Klaus invited her to the ball, told her he liked her, and gave her a drawing. His admiration always charmed her, no matter how hard she tried to hide it.

- I'll pull all our connections, brother. I'll contact Freya, explain everything to her, and tell her to prepare the runes. We'll figure out how to get out of this. See you later, Caroline. - The elder Original said this and left the hotel just as quickly as he had appeared.

Klaus sat on the edge of the blonde's bed and looked deeply into her eyes.

- How are you, love?

- I've been cursed with some demonic curse, and now I'll go crazy without your blood. Everything's just great! - the vampire snapped.

- I'm so sorry you got caught up in this. I didn't want it to turn out like this, but now we'll find a way out, and I swear to you, he'll pay for everything he did to you. - The hybrid's eyes filled with rage, but he controlled it and softened - But that's not what I was asking about… I heard about your mother, about Elena... How are you dealing with it?

The girl sat up in bed. Until those words, she had been avoiding Klaus's direct gaze, but now their eyes met.

- It's hard for me. It hurts. And now, on top of everything, there's this curse and you. I'm supposed to be searching for a witch for Elena, not playing the damsel in distress. - The vampire sighed and lay back down, covering her face with her hands. - I feel so helpless…

-I'm truly sorry. - The hybrid gently took her hand and continued - Xander will pay for everything, and after that, I'll help you find the witch.

- I think that's fair, considering I got caught up in all of this because of you.

Klaus decided to lighten the mood a little and, with a smile, said:

- You know, this isn't exactly how I imagined our date in Paris, love.

The blonde couldn't hold back her smile and giggled.

- I've missed you, Caroline, - he added quietly.

The girl didn't reply, but the feeling was mutual. She had thought of the hybrid more than once over the years. The conflicting situation between her friends and Klaus constantly nagged at her. She blamed herself for having feelings for him. She knew it was wrong, but she couldn't help it. He had never done anything to her that she couldn't truly forgive. He was a villain to her friends, but a prince from a Cinderella story to her.

She knew another side of him, his fun, kind, and devilishly sexy side. The day they last met in the woods… The thought made the girl blush slightly.

"I need to pull myself together, and anyway, I'm mad at him!"

Klaus smirked slyly and said, - Now, let's discuss our plan.