XII - 𝔪𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔯𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔟𝔦𝔤 𝔟𝔞𝔡 𝔴𝔬𝔩𝔣

[ edited ]

MEANWHILE IN MYSTIC FALLS, DAMON POURED HIMSELF A TALL GLASS OF BOURBON.

Subsequently, his cell phone rang.

Without bothering to look at the caller ID, he grouched. "You're interrupting my drink."

A familiar woman chuckled, "You miss me?"

"Katherine. Where are you?"

"Lurking outside your window, pining away."

The Salvatore dumped the Bourbon down his throat. "What do you want?"

"I'm homesick," She replied. "What have I missed?"

"Well, Stefan's still Klaus' little prisoner and Elena still thinks she can save him. No one's thought about you since you left."

"And what about you? I'm sure now that you've given up on your brother, you're plotting some sort of way of moving in on his girlfriend."

Damon frowned and rubbed his eyebrow. "I didn't give up on him. I just don't know where he is."

Katherine hummed, her voice full of mischief, "Hmm."

He stood still, "But you do. Are you trailing them?"

He shimmied over to the sink to concoct a new drink and pressed the speaker button. It was a habit he had recently acquired from time spent acting like a human in Mystic Falls, but by now Damon had it memorized like the back of his hand.

"A hybrid who wants me dead, his sidekick who's off the rails, and Lilura Anthemoessa — a silver-tongue siren? I couldn't be further away."

Suddenly, from the depths of the Salvatore Boarding House, Katherine heard a noise.

Woof!

"When did you get a dog?"

Damon smirked into his glass, "I lied. We found Stefan. He didn't want to be saved."

He walked over to the little corgi who was gnawing on an expensive rug, "So I took one of Lily's prized possessions to prove a point."

Katherine was speechless.

"And she hasn't killed you yet?"

"She thinks it's dead," Damon pouted, booping Sirius on the nose. "Boo-hoo-hoo."

"You know exactly where they are," He continued, bringing Katherine's attention back to the previous matter.

"All I know is that Klaus pitched a fit once his hybrids didn't work. Now he's looking for some answers."

"How do you know that?"

"Spend 500 years running, and there will be a few people along the way that are looking out for you."

"Is that what you're doing? Looking out for my brother?" asked Damon.

The woman sighed, "Maybe, maybe not. But one word of advice for you," Katherine paused.

"What?"

"Return the dog before all hell breaks loose."

———— Δ ————

After a long ride, Klaus finally swung open the car doors.

"Welcome back to Chicago, Stefan. Welcome to Chicago, you travel virgin!" He whispered to Lilura.

Her eyes were red from crying all night, but she appreciated his attempt at making her laugh, even though it was weirdly worded and perverted.

"I think you know I'm not a virgin, Nik."

Immediately, Stefan shouldered his way out of the car, blocking his ears from any other sort of unwanted information. "What are we doing here?"

"I know how much you loved it here. Bringing back memories of the good old ripper days?" Klaus answered, sending a well practiced wink to the enchantress.

"Blacked out most of them. A lot of blood, a lot of partying. The details are all a blur."

"Well, that is a crying shame. The details are what make it legend.

Word was the ripper of Monterrey got lonely, so he escaped to the city for comfort. It was Prohibition. Everything was off limits then, which made everything so much fun," Klaus spoke like he could see everything before his eyes. Almost like he had lived it.

And suddenly, Lilura realized maybe there was more to his choice of hybrid-making-buddy than it seemed. Perhaps there was a bit of history and brotherly affection behind his otherwise drab choice.

"Chicago was magical."

The Salvatore shrugged, "Yeah, well, I'll take your word for it. Like I said, I don't remember most of it."

"Going to get down to business, then?"

"Why am I still with you guys? We had our fun, your hybrids failed. I mean, don't you want to move on?"

Lilura laughed dryly, "I mean your life failed but here you are... still breathing and everything.

Klaus began to walk. "We're going to see my favorite witch. If anyone can help us with our hybrid problem, it's her."

———— Δ ————

"This is the smartest thing you've done all morning," Lilura slapped Klaus on the back merrily once she spotted the homely bar.

"Looks familiar, doesn't it?" He asked Stefan.

"I can't believe this place is still here."

Inside the bar, a middle aged woman was wiping the stools.

Her jaw dropped, "You got to be kidding me."

Klaus smiled, "So a hybrid walks into a bar, says to the bartender..."

She put her hands on her hips and shook her head, "Stop. You may be invincible, but that doesn't make you funny."

Lilura threw her head back and clutched her sides, chuckling. "That's what I've been telling him!"

"I remember you," She pointed to Stefan. To Lilura she squinted, "You're cute, but that face doesn't ring a bell."

The siren nodded in understanding.

"Yeah. You're Gloria. Shouldn't you be..."

"Old and dead? Now if I die, who's going to run this place, huh?" She cackled.

"Gloria's a very powerful witch," Klaus said.

"I can slow the aging down some. Herbs and spells. But don't worry, it'll catch up to me one day."

"Stefan, why don't you go and fix us up a little something from behind the bar?" Klaus requested politely.

After a hesitant pause, the grumpy blond succumbed. "Yeah, sure thing."

"Whiskey, neat and the entire bottle of vodka for my fallen friend," She clutched at her heart. "May you rest in peace, my little flufflebum."

"Is this her?" Gloria asked.

Klaus looked at the enchantress tenderly, "Yes. That is her."

"In 1922, I asked a Mr. Niklaus Mikaelson why he was so blue," Gloria said, passing the vodka to Lilura herself. "He wouldn't tell me, but I guessed. Faces like that always come from heart break. Now who did you lose, sweat pea?"

Lilura started to tear up, "My dog Sirius."

"Maybe I can find him," Gloria offered gently.

"He's dead," Lilura sniffled.

Klaus scrunched his eyebrow in thought, "But we didn't see the body."

The gears in her head turned, "You're right!" She gasped. "We didn't."

Mumbling to herself about the possibilities, Lilura waved her hand erratically. "Carry on."

"A hybrid out to make more hybrids? That kind of news travels."

"So what am I doing wrong? I broke the curse."

"Obviously you did something wrong. Look, every spell has a loophole, but a curse that old...We'd have to contact the witch who created it."

"Well, that would be the original witch. She's very dead."

Dismay slithered down Lilura's spine. The Original Witch?

"I know. And for me to contact her, I'll need help. Bring me Rebekah."

"Rebekah. Rebekah is a bit preoccupied," Klaus smiled.

"Don't be a wuss and just admit you're scared of facing her after you stabbed her," Lilura interuppted.

"I see why you like her," Gloria chuckled. "She has what I need. Bring her to me."

From across the room, Stefan shouted. "What is this?"

Upon seeing the picture on the wall, Klaus grinned manically. "Well, I told you, Stefan. Chicago's a magical place."

"But this is me. With you."

Lilura stood up too, "Yeah. No shït, Sherlock."

The Salvatore continued to look perplexed and slightly flustered as he held the picture of himself and Klaus.

———— Δ ————

They were outside now. Lilura was swining the bottle of vodka in her hands and jumping from crack to crack. She didn't have a mama to worry about breaking her back.

"This doesn't make any sense. Why don't I remember you?" Stefan, still in disbelief, questioned Klaus.

"You said it yourself: that time had a lot of dark holes."

"No, if you knew me, then why haven't you said anything?"

"I'm a little busy right now," Klaus interjected, "Memory Lane will have to wait."

Stefan clawed at his hero hair, "What the hell is going on? Answer me."

"Let's just say we didn't get off to a brilliant start. Rebekah fancied you, but, to be honest, I hated you."

"Same," Lilura pipped up, hiccuping. "Still do, actually."

"Your sister. So I knew another Original vampire."

Klaus scoffed at Stefan's panic stricken expression, "If you can't handle it, then don't ask."

Inside a random warehouse, four oak coffins were placed neatly in the center. With a jolt, Lilura realized that underneath, her family was sleeping.

While Klaus and Stefan opened Rebekah's, Lilura opted to take a look at all of the others, starting with Kol who she missed the most.

When she had met him, Kol was the night sea entrapped in a hurricane of boy. He was wild. He was daring. Oh, and was he a ladies man.

She remembered that every night without fail, Kol Mikaelson would convince her to go on some adventure, whether it was to sail the harbor or wander the streets at night.

He had a knack for penmanship. His cursive was always quiet sophisticated and beautiful, but Kol seldom used it because he detested the act of writing.

"Bleh," He had said once when they had been strolling together. "I'm a man of action, Li. Not a poet who spills his heart out on a piece of paper and sends it with a dove."

And yet, when Lilura had "died", the youngest Mikaelson wrote her a beautiful farewell, full of heart and sincerity.

Yes, Kol Mikaelson was a poet, but he'd rather not let anyone know.

Lilura smiled and closed the lid, making a silent promise to convince Klaus to undagger Kol.

On her left, laid Fin Mikaleson — and let's just say they weren't the closest.

He was always quiet fox-like and old to Lilura. She recalled him being poised like Elijah with a certain surefooted smile and hard silver eyes.

He was a man of very few words.

She didn't particularly miss him.

The next one, upon inquisitive inspection, Lilura guessed to be Elijah's. The coffin was elegantly oak and timelessly formidable much like its owner.

Elijah was more than just a noble man, Lilura mused to herself. He was the heart of the Mikaelson's — the gentle breeze on a midsummer night while the earth trembled undearneth with the lava.

He was a big oak that extended it's shade on the poor, sick, and weak. He was a man of ridiculously tender eyes and kingly smiles, of handkerchiefs bathed in blood and suits assembled with gold.

Elijah was a good man, not a perfect one.

And now the enchantress floated over to Rebekah, who was just as beautiful daggered.

Rebekah who could bring monsters to their knees with her bold smile, who was the fire and the hopeless romantic.

On their first and last night, Rebekah remained a beacon of laughter and grace. She was the polar star pointing north. She was the woman of a thousand words and a hundred smiles, but love only for one soul.

And Lilura would get to see her soon.

"Come along, love," Klaus called. "We have a hybrid problem to fix."

To Stefan he continued their conversation, "I was your number one fan."

"Why should I believe any of this?"

Klaus stopped a security guard, "When she wakes up, tell her to meet us at Gloria's Bar. Then volunteer your carotid artery and let her feed until you die."

"Where are you going?" asked Stefan, who watched Klaus back strut.

"You think I'm lying, Stefan. You and I knew each other. You trusted me with one of your secrets and now I'm going to prove it to you."

Dubiously he inquired, "How?"

"We're going to your old apartment."

———— Δ ————

"What a charming little homestead," Lilura trilled, banging open the doors. "Do you two feel that? Is anybody here?" The alcohol slushed in her stomach, reminding the siren that the feeling that someone was in the apartment with them could very well be drunk paranoia.

"It's been vacant for decades. People must break in all the time. Why'd you bring me here?" Stefan fired, crossing an arm over the other.

Klaus scratched his blond locks, "Your friend, Liam Grant, the one who drank his wife's blood...I never could figure out why you wanted his name. And then you told me your little secret. It was all part of your special little ritual."

As if finally accepting the facts, Stefan sighed, "To write it down."

"And relive the kill...over and over again."

Klaus flung open the hidden door, "You believe me now?"

Stefan stuck his head inside to examine the evidencial support and froze.

"Look what I found," He said, scooping up a wine bottle, "1918. Single malt."

Lilura beamed, "Yes! Finally something you've done that impresses me, Salvatore."

Klaus smiled, "My favorite. Let's go and find someone to pair it with."

Stefan shut the closet door and ushered a gushing Klaus and jolly Lilura out as fast as he could before they realized that something was very amis.

And that something was an alive Elena Gilbert.

———— Δ ————

"Haven't done something like that since the 20's!" Klaus said, wiping the trail of blood from his lips.

Lilura raised an eyebrow, "Pretty sure it's been illegal since the 20's."

"Aw, sweetheart," He cooed, coming to a crouch beside the enchantress who was reading a book. "You could have a go if you like."

Lilura sniffed at the unconscious women in the alleyway, bled dry and heart beating slowly. "Maybe not," She rolled her eyes.

"Hmm," Klaus hummed in disappointment, "You don't fancy it rough anymore?"

Lilura gave him a look.

"I swear to god," Stefan complained immediately upon spotting the two immortals. "If you two start making out, then I'm out of here."

Evidently offended, Lilura opted to send a retort, "It's like looking at you and Elena! What with your goo goo eyes and I love yous and epic love stories."

"Alright, ladies," Klaus dusted his jeans. "As much as I love your bickering, let's break it up and head down to Gloria's."

Lilura stuck her middle finger at Stefan to complete their argument.

"Where's Rebekah?" The witch crowed immediately upon their arrival.

"She'll be here. I can't just conjure her on demand," Klaus settled into a seat.

Without a word Gloria served him a drink, and Klaus eyes Stefan, "What's with you? I thought Chicago was your playground."

"So this is why you asked me to be your wingman? Because you liked the way that I tortured innocent people?"

"Well it definitely wasn't for your interesting personality," Lilura deadpanned.

"Well, that's certainly half of it," The hybrid admitted.

"What's the other half?"

Klaus exchanged an exasperated look with Lilura, "The other half, Stefan, is that you used to want to be my wingman."

He slid a shot glass down to Stefan.

"So I'm confused. If we were such great friends, then why do I only know you as the hybrid dick who sacrificed my girlfriend on an altar of fire? Huh?"

Klaus smiled sadly, "All good things must come to an end. We knew each other quiet well, and frankly I saw you as a brother. Yes, don't make that face, we were brothers of the night. But then I erased all of that."

"You compelled me to forget?"

The Hybrid took a long sip, "It was time for Rebekah and I to move on. Better to have a clean slate."

"But why? You shouldn't have to cover your tracks...unless you're running from someone."

Lilura hid her smile.

Bingo.

"Storytime's over," Klaus said.

Stefan nodded, "I—I need another drink. A real one."

However, Lilura noticed him slipping out the back door instead of heading for the bar.

"We have a visitor," She smiled fakely as she glimpsed unyeilding black hair and a blue crazed smile on a bar stool.

Klaus smiled smugly into his cup and leaned in to speak with Lilura, completely ignoring the younger vampire, "Mhm, yes love. I see they've opened the doors to the riff-raff now."

"Oh, honey, I've been called worse," Damon chuckled.

"You don't give up, do you?"

"Give me my brother back...You'll never have to see me again," He shrugged.

"Well, I am torn. You see, I promised Stefan I wouldn't let you die, but how many freebies did I really sign up for? And clearly you want to die, otherwise you wouldn't be here, so..."

"As for me, I'm in quiet the dilemma. Nik, darling, should I go for the head or for the balls?" The enchantress inquired sweetly, luring in her prey with pretty eyes.

"What can I say? I'm a thrill-seeker, " Damon's eyes landed on her. "And I'm all for a good ball tossle."

Klaus stood up and picked Damon up effortlessly by the throat in just 2 seconds.

"Oh, dear, what was that? I'm boozey, so you'll forgive me if I miss your heart the first few tries."

"And you'll have to forgive me if I kill you immediately," The siren chimed in. "Sometimes I just can't help myself."

Klaus felt himself give a roar of laughter, "You've managed to piss off the Big Bad Wolf and his Mistress!"

Lilura snatched a little umbrella from her pina colada.

Klaus accepted the weapon without question and proceeded to imbed. Once, twice, three times and Damon's heart was still beating.

"Ohh! No, that's not it. Hmm," The Hybrid giggled.

Another stab,"Ohh. Almost."

Damon wheezed at a sad attempt at convincing Klaus, "You want a partner in crime? Forget Stefan. I'm so much more fun."

"As fun as your dïck," Lilura spat, breaking off a table leg.

Klaus inherently agreed and showcased that by throwing Damon across the room and onto a gathering of tables, breaking all of them in the process.

Lilura and Klaus crouched in front of a defeated Damon.

"You won't be any fun after you're dead," The Hybrid said.

Lilura raised her makeshift stake and sneered.

Before anything could happen, the weapon lit into flames spontaneously.

"Really?" Klaus whined when he spotted Gloria's unimpressed face.

"Not in my bar. You take it outside," She waved to the door.

Klaus pushed Damon back down.

"You don't have to negotiate your brother's freedom. When I'm done with him, he won't want to go back," Klaus hissed, eyes alight with a sick enjoyment.

The two immortals stood up and dusted their pants.

"Lily," Damon croaked. She turned around, ready to hurl a nasty quip, but the deadly serious sparkle in his eyes stopped her.

Despite being pummeled to the ground by them both, Damon wore the world's biggest shït eating grin.

"A life for a life," He smirked.

🌟 what will Damon do?? also managed to push out this chapter for y'all. His name is Pedro and he's my new son.