DARKEST TEMPTATIONS

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT: ESCAPING THE PAST

KLAUS MIKAELSON

It had been almost an hour now since April's warning of Stefan's presence at our hotel. The mere idea of him outsmarting us and gaining the upper advantage was not a thought I entertained lightly. How he went about exposing our secret took second priority next to eradicating him. I wouldn't waste Vidal's time sillying myself about his purpose or believe for a second that he was here alone. Stefan was many things in the eyes of many, but overall a sheep, a puppet, and never far from his leash. He'd taken second place to everyone else within his pathetic shell of an existence. He wouldn't have the audacity to invade my presence without some form of backup. I'd put up with his presence in the past; for a moment I had enjoyed his company in the late twenties, but since then he hadn't matured, hadn't faced difficulty or adversity. He was still the young boy waiting for his next heroic moment, his next damsel in distress, and his next blood obstacle to overcome and be made apparently stronger by it. Our return to Mystic Falls was perfectly executed; there wasn't a single thing we overlooked before risking it all to bring Bonnie into our lives and begin anew. Which meant Stefan had merely gotten lucky somehow, and in the space of the mere hours we were in town, he had stumbled upon our secret. He was now on the end of a very short leash that I was going to wrap around his neck and watch him as he took his very last breath.

That was my first thought until I allowed myself to look around the table, looking into the eyes of the woman I married. Each one of them amply engaged in conversation, none of them saved April, who knew of the trouble lurking in the shadows. It was only trouble; there was no threat, though judging by the distant look in April's eyes, she thought otherwise. She had no reason to fear; I was the original hybrid. I'd slaughtered every monster that ever dared challenge me. I was the beast in the darkest of nightmares. I could handle whatever pathetic tactics they thought could stand in my way because I'd been doing so for centuries without difficulty. But not only that, I was seated with three vampires, all of whom were capable of great speed and a very remarkable witch who had no idea just how powerful she could be if the situation called for it. I never doubted myself, and I would never doubt them; these were the women I'd chosen to be with forever and sworn to protect with every fiber of my being.

Our agreement stated that our marriages were our own business, our private lives, and our homes were our own and should be respected as such. But at the same time, if any major decisions had to be made for the benefit of the family, I held the final word; my vote always carried the most weight. We'd made this decision because we wished to respect the traditional ways of those who had set the spell that now protected us; back then, the man of the house would have had a say over everything to do with his household. I didn't have to tell them of Stefan's presence; I could have us on a private jet within mere hours and deal with him in my own time. But if I did that, I would be no better than my own father, the insect, the man who ruled his own home with an iron fist and thought nothing beyond his own desires. This was not the man I wanted to become; this was not how matters would be dealt with in my home. I wanted better for my family, I wanted better for myself, and I wasn't going to get that by keeping them in the dark.

I was going to tell them I was stepping away from the man they had known me to be; there would be secrets and lies. Stefan dared to follow us here; I didn't know what he knew, and I wasn't going to terrify them with this information until I knew everything that he did. I leaned ever so slightly towards April, and I kissed her softly on her cheek, and she mustered up the best smile she could. I was certain she could see the wheels turning in my eyes; she said nothing in response to affection and instead continued to engage in conversation. I retrieved my phone from my pocket, keeping it beneath the table out of sight; this wasn't abnormal for me to do, and right now each of them could think I was in communication with someone back in Utah regarding the site.

I unlocked the device, my thumb hovering over the contact named 'Tech,' the same person who had given us the gift of new identities and had made sure our escape was as smooth as whiskey would be round about now. The same person who had helped us build our new lives, who had made sure that we were untouchable.

I began to type out my message, keeping my gaze on the screen as if my words alone could pull the information out of the digital void and into my grasp. "Need a location trace on Stefan Salvatore," I tapped out, my eyes flicking up to make sure no one was watching. "Last known whereabouts to present. Movements. Associates." I hit send and slid the phone back into my pocket, the silent vibration against my leg a comforting assurance that the wheels were in motion.

The tension in the room was palpable, but none of my wives noticed. Their laughter and chatter filled the space as they enjoyed their meal, blissfully unaware of the danger that lurked just outside our bubble of happiness. Meanwhile, my thoughts raced faster than my heartbeat. Tech was the best in the business, a shadowy figure who had made a living out of keeping tabs on the supernatural elite. He had known Stefan's name long before I had even considered contacting him and had kept a meticulous file on his movements.

For years, the Mikaelson family had been watched by many, and we had learned from that. It was a precaution I had taken to ensure our safety and privacy. After all, we had more enemies than friends in the world of the supernatural. Tech was an extension of that caution, a digital sentinel that kept our new lives free from the shackles of our tumultuous past. His eyes and ears were everywhere, and his reach was vast. Every person we had ever cared about, every enemy we had ever faced, they were all under his vigilant watch. The town of Mystic Falls had been under his scrutiny since we had decided to move on from it. If there was a whisper of trouble, he'd know about it before it could reach us from today onward.

But Stefan, he was different. He was a part of our history, a thorn in our side that had been ripped out and thrown away. Or so we had thought. Now, he was back, and it was my responsibility to ensure he didn't ruin what we had built together. I had to find out when he had started tracking us and how he had managed to uncover our secret. It wasn't enough to just eliminate the threat; I had to understand it. I had to know if he had any idea of the true extent of our power, of the protection we had in place.

The waiter approached with dessert menus, and the chime of his voice brought me back to the present. I forced a smile as I listened to the sweet options that were laid before us. Inside, my mind was racing with scenarios and possibilities. Had Stefan been watching us since we left Mystic Falls? Or had he only just found us? The thought of him following us for days was a sobering one, but I couldn't let fear dictate my actions. I had to be smart and strategic, like the predator before. As the women around me debated over which sweet treat to indulge in, my eyes drifted to the windows. The reflection of the dimly lit restaurant revealed the bustling hotel grounds outside. It was crowded, a sea of faces that could hide anyone. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and I felt a prickle of unease. Had I been careless? Was our secret life in Utah not as hidden as I had believed? The idea that Stefan might have known about us, about our unconventional family setup, was a chilling thought.

My phone vibrated again, and I glanced at it, my heart skipping a beat. It was a message from Tech. "Surveilling Mystic Falls cameras as requested. Initial sweep shows no sign of him yet." I took a deep breath, trying to keep a level head. We had come so far, built so much, and Stefan was threatening to tear it all down with his mere presence. "Every camera," I replied, my thumbs flying over the screen. "I want to see every inch of his path from the moment he left his house that morning to the second he left town. Check residential, commercial, and traffic cams—everything. Don't leave a single stone unturned." I knew I was asking for a Herculean task, but Tech was the only one I could count on to deliver. The minutes ticked by, the sweet aroma of chocolate and berries from the desserts on the table doing little to distract me from the sour taste of suspicion that had settled in my mouth. The conversation around me grew dimmer, the laughter more forced, as each second brought us closer to the truth. The anticipation was unbearable, my skin prickling with the need for action

I couldn't ignore the potential horrors that could unfold if Stefan had indeed discovered our sanctuary in Utah. If he knew about my unconventional marriage, the whispers would spread like wildfire. The people of Sandy would look at us differently, the stigma of our lifestyle tainting the air we breathed. We'd be outcasts once more, our happiness a fleeting memory as we were hunted for being different. Yet, as I sat there, surrounded by the warmth and comfort of the women I loved, the reality of our situation sank in. Sandy had become more than just a place for us to hide; it was our home. The quiet streets, the peaceful nights, the acceptance we had found in each other's arms—it was all a stark contrast to the chaos that was Mystic Falls. Each of our properties, side by side, to allow us to live as close to a normal life as we could manage. Our walls would soon be adorned with paintings and photographs that represented our shared experiences and love, not just decorations but a tapestry of our lives.

Caroline, a beacon of light in the darkness, had blossomed since we left the confines of our old lives. No longer was she the girl who had always felt second best. She was a woman in charge of her own destiny, a leader, a mother to the children we hadn't had yet, but planned to. Her ambition was matched only by her beauty, a siren's call that drew me in every time she glanced my way. The way she moved, the sound of her laughter, it was intoxicating. Despite the looming shadow of Stefan, I found myself smiling at the simple joy of her presence. Her hair fell in soft golden waves around her shoulders, reflecting the candlelight that danced across the table. Her eyes, those piercing blue orbs that had once held so much fear and doubt, were now filled with warmth and confidence. The curve of her lips as she spoke to the others was a promise of a thousand secrets shared only between us. Her scent was a sweet symphony that filled my senses, a mix of the freshness of the outdoors and the seductive allure that she knew drove me over the edge with lust. Every movement she made was a silent seduction, a siren's call that I found impossible to resist. I watched her, my gaze lingering on the graceful line of her neck as she took a sip of her drink, the gentle swell of her breasts with every breath she took. My thoughts grew darker, more primal, as I imagined peeling back the layers of her clothing, revealing the smooth, pale skin beneath. I craved the feeling of her body pressed against mine, the sweet taste of her lips, and the sound of her moans as I claimed her over and over again.

Elena had always been a source of conflict within me, a woman whose very existence was a constant reminder of the wars I had fought, the lives I had destroyed, and the love that I had lost. She had been the center of so much pain and turmoil, the object of my desire and the catalyst for my downfall. Yet, here she was, sitting at my side, a testament to the second chance at happiness that I had never thought I would find. Her eyes, those dark pools of emotion, searched my face, and for a moment, I was lost in them. They had once held so much anger and despair, but now they were filled with a quiet understanding, a bond that went beyond the confines of friendship or even the fiery love we shared. Her smile was soft, a gentle curve of her lips that spoke of the peace she had found in this new life. Her hair fell in a cascade of raven waves, but it was her soul that drew me in, a soul that was as resilient as it was compassionate. Elena was a survivor, a woman who had faced the darkest of shadows and emerged stronger, more beautiful than ever before. Her laughter was a melody that had soothed me during my darkest hours, a sound that had filled the emptiness inside me with a warmth that not even the blood of a thousand enemies could match. Her touch, when it was gentle, was like a balm to my ancient soul, a reminder that I too could be saved, that redemption was not a myth but a possibility. The way she leaned into me, her hand resting lightly on my arm, was a silent declaration of trust, of the bond that had grown between us in the months since we had left Mystic Falls behind. It was a bond that had been forged in fire and tested by time, a bond that I would not break, not even for the sake of my own pride. The warmth of her skin was a stark contrast to the coldness of the world outside, a warmth that I had grown to crave. Her presence was a constant reminder that I was no longer the monster I had once been, that I had the capacity to love, to be loved, and to protect those who meant the most to me. She had seen the beast that I had become, had faced it head-on, and had still chosen to stand by my side.

Elena and I had been crossing lines we had sworn never to cross. The passion between us had always been volatile, a raging storm that could not be contained by mere words or societal norms. On days when we were meant to be apart, our desires had overridden our promises. We had succumbed to our primal instincts, our bodies tangling together in a dance as old as time itself. The feel of her, the taste of her, it was intoxicating, a high that I never wanted to come down from. But we had agreed to stop, especially after the last time when I had lost control, my seed spilling inside her unguarded womb. The thought of a child, of bringing new life into this world, was both terrifying and exhilarating. I knew she wasn't ready for that kind of commitment, not yet. Her dreams were still too big, too bright, too filled with promise to be clouded by the responsibilities of motherhood. And so, I had made a vow, a silent pact with the woman who owned my heart, that I would be more careful. Each of them deserved the choice, the power to decide when they were ready to embark on such a journey, and I would not take that from them. If they chose to use birth control to prevent pregnancy, I would support them. But for me, I would be wearing protection, ensuring that our love remained pure, our bonds untainted by unintended consequences.

Our arrangement was unorthodox, and I knew it was not for everyone. But for us, it worked. It allowed us to love without limits, to explore the depths of our desires without fear of retribution. And as we sat there, our hearts beating in sync, I knew that no matter what Stefan threw our way, we would face it together, as one. We had built a fortress of love and trust, and I would not let him breach it.

April, my third wife, had been the wild card in our mix. I had met her through the same channels as the others, but she had been different from the start. Her innocence and purity had been so stark against the backdrop of the dark world we lived in that I had wondered if she was too naive to handle the truth of what we were. But she had surprised me, time and again. Her strength lay in her simplicity, in her ability to cut through the layers of deceit and see the heart of the matter. At first, I had felt a strange protectiveness towards her, as if she were a fragile woman that might shatter at the first sign of trouble. But she had shown me that she was made of sterner stuff. She had faced the horrors of our existence with a stoic grace that had left me in awe. Her spirit was unbreakable, and she had brought a light to our lives that we all needed. She had become the heart of our family, the glue that held us all together when we were at our most fractured. Her laugh was like the sound of bells on a crisp winter's day, clear and pure, a sound that could chase away the darkest of shadows. Her eyes, a deep blue that seemed to hold the secrets of the universe, had the power to soothe my soul when it was most tormented. And when she looked at me with that fiery determination, I knew she was ready to take on the world, ready to stand by my side no matter what. It was strange, the way she had grown on me. At first, I had thought her to be a mere pawn in the grand scheme of things, a beautiful but insignificant player in the game of life. But she had proven to be anything but. She had a way of seeing through the facade that others presented, a way of knowing when something was amiss. And without her, I had to admit, our family would not be whole. We had all come from different places, with different pasts, but together we had forged a future that was brighter than any of us could have ever imagined.

Vickie, the fourth member of our unconventional quartet, had entered our lives under the most unexpected of circumstances. Initially, she had not been part of the plan, but fate had a way of twisting the narrative in the most intriguing ways. Her eyes, a vibrant shade of green that mirrored the vibrancy of her soul, had held a sadness that I had recognized from a mile away. A sadness that spoke of a life filled with deceit and pain. But as we grew closer, as she became more integrated into our tight-knit circle, she had revealed her true colors. Vickie was a survivor, a woman who had learned to navigate the treacherous waters of the supernatural world with a cunning that surpassed even my own. The day she had confessed her lies had been a tumultuous one. Yet, instead of anger or betrayal, I had felt a strange sense of relief. It was as if a burden had been lifted from my shoulders, allowing me to breathe again. She had chosen to stay, to fight for her place at our side, and that spoke volumes about the strength of her character.

In the months since, she had proven herself to be an invaluable asset, her sharp mind and quick wit often saving us from the jaws of disaster. Her loyalty was unwavering, and I had found myself growing more and more fond of her with each passing day. Her presence was like a balm to the darker aspects of my nature, a reminder that love and trust could indeed exist in a world ruled by blood and power. And then there was the intimacy that had grown between us. It had been a slow burn, a passion that had smoldered just beneath the surface until one fateful night when it had exploded into a wildfire that had consumed us both. Her mouth had been a revelation, a warm, wet haven that had brought me to heights of pleasure I had never before experienced. Her skills were unparalleled, her mouth a vacuum that had sucked the very essence out of me, leaving me trembling and begging for more. The way she had looked up at me during that blow job, her eyes glazed with desire, had been the most erotic sight I had ever beheld. Her lips, swollen and red from their ministrations, had been a testament to her passion, a promise of what was to come. And in that moment, as she had swallowed me whole, I had realized just how much she meant to me. The thought of her, her legs wrapped around my waist as I claimed her, was enough to make me harden beneath the table. Yet, I knew that now was not the time for such thoughts.

I cleared my throat, willing myself to focus on the conversation at hand. Bonnie, my fifth wife, was the one I had never quite figured out. Her beauty was unconventional, a stark contrast to the porcelain perfection of Elena and the fiery allure of Caroline when I'd first encountered them. Her cocoa skin was a canvas that told the story of her ancestry, a lineage of power and strength that I found irresistible. Her eyes, those dark pools of effortless beauty, could at times be as fiery as the pits of hell, a warning of the power she wielded.

Her magic had always been a double-edged sword, a tool that could be used to protect or to destroy. The thought of her using it against me had been a thrilling one, a dance with the devil that had both terrified and excited me. Yet, she had chosen to stay, to fight for her place among us. It was a testament to her strength, her resilience in the face of the unknown. Since our union, she had proven to be more than I could have ever asked for. The way she had cared for April, her fierce loyalty to our family by keeping our secret, it was clear she had found her place. And though our relationship was not like the others, it was no less important. Her presence was a constant challenge, a reminder that love could come from the most unexpected of places. The way she moved, the sway of her hips as she walked across the room was a temptation that was impossible to resist. And her scent, a heady mix of ancient magic and earthy spices, was a drug that intoxicated me, leaving me craving more.

The text from Tech was a slap in the face, jolting me out of my reverie. I read through the messages, my eyes narrowing as the reality of the situation sank in. Stefan had been following us, watching us like a predator stalking its prey. He had been so close, so near to discovering our sanctuary, and the thought of it made my blood boil. The footage Tech had sent was damning. Stefan emerging from the shadows of the forest, his eyes locked on our car as the girls drove away, filled with an intensity that spoke of obsession. The way he had slipped into Caroline's house that same night, so easily, so unnoticed, it was sickening. And then, the audacity to take her car and tail them out of town? It was as if he had no fear of repercussion, as if he were invincible. I took a deep breath, willing my heart to slow its frantic pace. The tech's message had been clear: no trace of Stefan in Sandy. Our secret was safe for now. But the relief that should have flooded through me was tainted by the bitter taste of suspicion. How had he found out? What did he want? And more importantly, what was I going to do about it? I couldn't let Stefan ruin this. I had to protect my wives, my family, at all costs. The thought of him laying a single finger on any of them was enough to make the beast within me roar to life. But I couldn't let that beast out, I had to deal with this as the man and husband I was today and nothing more.

I sent another message to Tech, my thumbs typing furiously. "Find out where he's staying." As I hit send, I felt a pair of eyes on me. I glanced up to see April watching me, a frown marring her usually serene face. I gave her a reassuring smile and slipped my phone back into my pocket, hoping she hadn't seen the tension etched on my features. Tech's response came through almost immediately. "Stefan Salvatore has a room at the Maui Palms, the hotel next door. Arrived there a few days ago now." I swallowed the lump in my throat. The proximity was unsettling, but I had to keep my composure."Is there any way he could be watching us from his hotel?" I texted back. Tech's response was swift. "I'll run the schematics and see if there's a direct line of sight from his room to yours." The thought of Stefan's cold gaze on my family made me sick, but I couldn't let my emotions get the better of me. The conversation at the table grew more as I struggled to keep my rage in check. I took another sip of my drink. The idea that he had seen Elena, my Elena, in a state of undress, of vulnerability, was too much to bear. She was mine, and the mere thought of him believing he had any claim to her was enough to make me want to tear him apart limb from limb. But I couldn't let Stefan's presence ruin us. The love I shared with my wives was sacred, and I would not let him desecrate it. I turned my focus to the women around me, their laughter a balm to my soul. I watched them, their smiles and glances, the way they interacted with one another, and I felt a fierce possessiveness swell within me. This was my life now, my family, and I would do anything to protect it.

My phone buzzed again, and I glanced down to see a new message from Tech. "Stefan has been joined by Tyler Lockwood." The name was like a punch to the gut. Tyler was the kind of person who could make the strongest of men crumble. His cruelty was legendary, his capacity for violence unmatched. The thought of him here, in Hawaii, in the same hotel as my wives, was unbearable. "No," I replied "I don't need to know more about Tyler. I want his current location and Stefan's, now." Tech's text response was swift, almost as if he knew the gravity of the situation without me having to explain. The seconds ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity, as I awaited the information that would help me formulate a plan. And then it came, the news that sent a chill down my spine. "Stefan was in your hotel this morning. And Tyler, he hasn't left the room since checking in." The implications were clear. I had to get to the bottom of this, and fast. I couldn't let them ruin our honeymoon, couldn't let them take from us what we had worked so hard to build. As I watched the footage Tech sent, my blood turned to ice. There was Stefan, strolling casually through the lobby, as if he owned the place. Then he got onto the elevator, then off again at what was confirmed as April's floor. The camera angle was poor, but it was enough to see the shimmer of something unnatural in her eyes, the telltale sign of compulsion. I looked away, unable to watch as my wife's treatment played out on the screen. The realization that she had been targeted, that Stefan had somehow found a way to harm her, was a knife twisting in my heart. The hybrid within demanding vengeance, but I had to keep it in check. Now was not the time for anger. Now was the time for action. Stefan had always been a master of manipulation, a chess player moving his pawns across the board of life with a cold, calculated precision. He just kept his warm hearted, sad life excuse to get away with it. But why would he compel April to harm herself? It didn't add up. The pieces didn't fit. I had been with Elena that morning, lost in the heat of our passion, our bodies tangled together in a dance as old as time. It was then that I had received the call, the panic in her voice as she told me what had happened. And now, as I sat here, the puzzle began to form. Stefan had been watching us. He had seen me with Elena, had seen the love that burned so fiercely between us, and had decided to use it against us. He had compelled April, had made her hurt herself, a desperate bid to tear us apart. How could he be so sick?

Stefan didn't know of Utah, nor did his seemingly travel buddy Tyler. If it were up to me they'd die tonight and that would be the end of it. But this wasn't my decision, this was family business.

"Darlings," I said interrupting their laughter and conversation "There's something I have to tell you."

The only question remained, would this be the conversation that ended our lives together forever?