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↳ 024, dangerous liaisons

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𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐊𝐄 𝐔𝐏 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄 of blood in her mouth, distilled in the back of her throat, gooey and crusted against the roof of her mouth. There were parts of her body that ached so deeply she could feel it resigning in her bones, like her marrow had been stripped and drained. She could barely tilt her head to the side to look away from the softly decorated ceiling with the diamond chandelier that stood horrifically still.

She tried to open her mouth but it was stuck together, her lips so dry she feared they would crack if she attempted to speak at all. Her eyes were nearly crusted shut and she knew it was from blood.

When she was finally able to move her head to the side, she found she was in a bedroom she had never been in before. It was nice, decorated with richness and taste from centuries of living. She thought for a moment this was the bedroom of a woman, one she might've known (she hoped she'd known) but it didn't take long before that familiar scent that she was covered in came spiraling up to her nose like some awful nostalgia dream.

She was given no time to prepare before he came into the room, taking up all the space by his presence alone. He was always good at that.

"You're awake."

She licked her lips, her bottom lip was busted and she felt the sting smother her.

He took a seat on the bed beside her, in his hands was a glass of water which he sat down on the bedside table and in his other was a book which he placed by the glass. It seemed he didn't think she'd be waking so soon.

"We're alone," he murmured, nodding his head to the bedroom door that was shut. "No one can hear us here."

She nodded, just enough for him to know she understood.

"You can imagine my surprise when mother walked through our front doors with you in tow," he muttered, reaching out with a careful hand to brush some of the hair from her face. "Half-dead and still able to enamor me entirely from any danger."

She licked her lips again and tried to swallow but her throat felt so thick and swollen there was nothing she could do but gag and choke. She spoke in a haggard, hoarse voice, thick from the blood and obvious dehydration, "You're–supposed to be d–ead."

"She wants us to be a family again," he said in a whisper, his hand warm against her face but she didn't know if it was because she felt like she was burning from fever or if he truly was that hot. "I want to believe her, that she's forgiven me, but..." He shook his head. "It's not easy for me to believe something good, even when it's right in front of me."

She coughed, the feeling splintering inside her chest.

"Here," he said quickly, leaning forward and grabbing the glass of water. "You must try to drink something." He paused with the glass in front of her and his brows furrowed just before he spoke again. "This might be better." He set the glass down and brought his wrist to his mouth.

His fangs were just barely visible behind his lips as he closed them around his wrist. She could hear them pierce through his flesh like a sharp crunch through paper. He peeled his mouth back and presented his bloody wrist to her like some offering to a god and she took it weakly in her hands, bringing it to her trembling lips.

She felt like she was Persephone, sucking the pomegranate from her fingers like it was her salvation. She felt like Ophelia guzzling the water into her lungs and throat, letting both the world and the water drown her.

His blood was sweet like honey against her tongue and she pulled and swallowed deeply. It wasn't tainted or dirty, it didn't taste like anything horrible like she'd expect from him. It coated her mouth like wine and was easier to get down after the first two full drinks and she clutched at his arm so tightly she thought she could tear through him all together.

He ran his hand over her mangled hair, easing her against him as she drank heartily. His blood was so different from those of humans and she could tell instantly the intimacy of it all, which he took pleasure from. She could feel him against her back from how she rested, he was hard and pulsing and full of such strength that she was getting drunk on it. It took everything in her to pull his wrist from her mouth, the blood swimming around in her gut.

She couldn't stop herself from retching and before she knew it, she was covered in blood down her front. It pooled in her lap and Klaus pulled her hair back as she ruined his sheets.

"It's okay," he whispered against the side of her head as she gagged and heaved. He lifted her gently, moving slowly as if not to jostle her around too much. "I'm going to start you a shower–" He paused. "Can you stand?"

She shook her head weakly, finding it uncomfortable in his arms as the blood seeped through her clothes. She could feel it against her skin and she groaned softly.

He cursed lightly underneath his breath. "I haven't had the bath installed–I–" He shook his head and walked her into his private bathroom, muttering, "I'm sorry, love, I'm sorry–" He held her against him with an agile ease as he turned the water on in the shower. He moved her roughly only for a moment as he kicked off his boots and worked the faucets until the water was warm.

There was a whisper in her ear and it took her a moment to register it was still him talking. "–you ready?"

She didn't know what he was referring to but seconds later she did when the water hit her. It wasn't warm like she had thought, but it was icy cold that left her jolting in his arms as he entered the shower with her. He lowered himself and her to the ground as she panted, blinking water from her eyes and noticing the red pool shifting and moving beneath them as the cold washed away all that was hot and wrong.

It struck her minutes later that they were both fully dressed, but he didn't seem to mind. He brushed her hair from her face every few moments and let her rest on him as the ice fell all around them like little bullets meant for carving and cleansing.

What felt like an hour later, she was finally clean. He helped her out of the shower, sitting her on the marble counter by the sink to undress her, tossing her wet, mopping clothes aside. Hanging up her clothes and then his, he went into his bedroom and returned with clothes for her to wear. It wasn't much, just a big shirt and a pair of boxers which he helped her dress in.

Her bones and muscles felt weak, her stomach empty. When she was able to stomach the water, her retrieved a blood bag for her to try. She sipped just once, letting it swell in her stomach and settle.

She finished it off in the bathroom over thirty long minutes. He helped her stand and it was then that she got her first glimpse at herself. Her face was shallow but slowly growing in color. Her eyes were sunken in and her hair was damp and flat, looking nearly black from the shower. He brushed a strand of hair from her face and whispered against the side of her head.

"You'll feel like yourself once you get more blood in you," he murmured. "For now, you need rest."

She nodded softly as she whispered, "I need to go home–"

"Ah, yes," he said with a slight chuckle as she continued to look at her in the mirror like she was the most fascinating thing there was. "It seems your darling Damon is very worried for you. He's been trying to get a hold of me all evening since he left."

"My phone–"

"On the table," he said, motioning back into the bedroom. "Dead, I believe."

She nodded softly, making a move to go into his room and he rushed to her side. Guiding her gently, she made it back onto the bed, resting against the side as she held her phone in her lap. The battery was dead and she knew he didn't have a charger, his phone was much nicer than hers it seemed.

"Do you understand what happened to you tonight?" he asked once she finally looked up from the phone in her lap and into his eyes. She nodded but stopped, frowning. "You opened the coffin."

She nodded at this, she knew that, of course.

"You were nearly dead when she brought you here," he said and she nodded for a third time. "Mother didn't want to explain much when she arrived but..."

"You got it out of her?"

He nodded, slowly. "Barely. I...I don't trust her, not like I should."

"You shouldn't," she whispered, shifting on the bed and folding her hands in her lap. His mother was a wolf in sheep's clothing and Colette knew what she wanted most of all. She wanted her children dead. "I wasn't going to open the coffin, I wasn't–" She shook her head and let her eyes fall to her hands. "I didn't want to die–"

"It's okay," he breathed and there was a hitch in his voice that Colette could smell through his emotions. She'd nearly forgotten about those little powers, she had assumed they would've died away once the coffin was opened. He had been scared, it seemed. Terrified, actually. But of his mother or for her?

"Klaus," she said barely above a whisper as silent tears fell down her cheeks, "I want to go home."

He bowed his head for a moment and when he looked back up, he nodded. He made a move to stand and she was speaking again, stopping him from moving away.

"Your mother is dangerous," she told him, barely being able to meet his eyes. "Naya...she's told me things about her, things she would see when she was a witch. Esther can't be trusted, you can't trust her."

"Colette," he murmured, "what do you know?"

She blinked and more tears fell, her bottom lip wobbling. "Everything. I know everything."

"And can you–?"

"Tell you?" she whispered and he nodded. She shook her head, slowly. "Not yet, not until I see proof that–that she still wants–wants–"

"Me, dead?"

She nodded.

"Well," he murmured, reaching for his bedside table. He pulled open the drawer and retrieved an envelope. He held it out for her to take, which she did. "Consider this, in the meantime."

She opened the letter and read the contents with a frown. "A ball?" Her brows furrowed. "You really think this is the right time for this?"

"Better now than never," he said with a shrug. "We're a part of this community and we need to show them as such. Why? Do you not fancy attending?"

"I..." She frowned again. "I don't even know if I can stand on my own, let alone dance."

"Don't come then," he said with another shrug as he reached for his own phone. "I'm going to ring Damon, have him come and fetch you."

It was like the atmosphere had changed entirely. His demeanor of protector was gone. There was an air of ice between them now as he backed up with the phone to his ear. He even stepped out of the room to make the call and while she could've easily listened in, she chose not to. She was just too damn tired to make that effort to begin with, and she didn't have the strength to push and pry him open as to why his mood had suddenly changed.

When he returned, he was slipping his phone into his back pocket. "I'll have your clothes returned to you, cleaned." He cleared his throat as she watched him put his weight on either foot. "Damon will be here in a moment to return you home."

She nodded, slowly, in return. She didn't understand why his sudden need to turn petty, but she stood anyway and slipped into her shoes which were by the door. There was mud and blood caked over the laces, like she had dug the toes of her shoes into the wetness.

"What should I do about–?" She pulled at the shirt she wore and he stuffed his hands into his pockets.

"Keep them, throw them away," he said with a shrug, "burn them for all I care."

"Klaus–"

"You better go," he said, shaking his head. "I believe your gallant knight has arrived to whisk you off to safety."

Her brows furrowed but she couldn't even think of something to say back so she pressed her lips together firmly and opened the door to leave. She clung to the railing as she descended down the staircase and towards the front door where someone was pounding against the smooth, rich wood.

She opened it before the noise could wake the entire house and Damon stood with his hand still up and ready to knock when he froze at the sight of her. He was slightly out of breath and from the lack of a car in the driveway, it seemed he had run all this way to get her.

He reached out in a flash and pulled her flush against him and she could feel the rise and fall of his chest against her own. One hand curled itself into a fist at the back of her head, her hair tangled up in his fingers as the other hand clutched at the back of her shirt. He let out a soft sigh of relief and whispered against the side of her head.

"Thank god you're okay."

He clung to her for a second more before pulling away and she couldn't even find the words to speak. She just wanted to go to bed. He was speaking to her but she couldn't exactly hear properly still, but he smelled like something toxic sweet.

Worry stained him.

She didn't know how he got her home, but he helped her walk up the stairs to her bedroom. She could sense Stefan was here, somewhere in the boarding house, but she didn't have the energy to bother with that, to bother with anything.

Damon helped her into bed and she eased back against her pillows, her joints and muscles still stiff and sore. She wondered when that would all finally end, but she didn't know.

"His mother was in the coffin," she whispered once she got comfortable and she had a glass of water in hand to help soothe her aching throat. "Esther Mikaelson, the original witch."

Damon sat down at the end of the bed, rubbing his forehead. "I'm assuming you knew all this already, right?"

She nodded, slowly. "Naya confirmed it all, but..."

He raised an eyebrow.

"...but I knew from what it was saying to me." He frowned and she quickly clarified. "The coffin, Esther, had been calling out to me in–in dreams and whatever Bonnie and her mom did, it cracked open that seal just enough for her to call me to her." Colette gripped her glass tightly in one hand, wishing she had turned her back on the coffin. "She said...she said I'd die if I didn't open it and–and I didn't want to die–" She glanced up at him and Damon was looking at her intently. "I knew how important it was for us to open the coffin but–but I did it for myself and now..."

"You did the right thing," he reassured her but she shook her head.

"Esther hasn't killed Klaus yet but I'm afraid she will, soon."

"So you think this whole family thing is an act?"

She nodded. "There's something else going on and I can–" She sighed deeply, placing a hand on her stomach. "–I can feel it in my gut that something isn't right, like, something isn't finished."

He reached out, his hand going to her leg. "If she comes for you, I'll be there to stop her, you know that."

"She's planning something, Damon," she whispered, feeling a cough building in her chest and throat. "She's untrustworthy and she's going to have us all in her fucking house–" She coughed, violently. Blood splattered against her arm like polkadots and Damon moved to her side, taking the glass from her other hand and placing it on her dresser.

"What did she do to you?" he whispered as he stood by her side. He reached down, his thumb going to the corner of her mouth and wiping gently. She noticed the blood, shining like little diamonds on the pad of his finger as he pulled away.

"It was like," she licked her dry lips, "she killed everything inside of me. I feel like I'm rotting."

You are, you are, you are. Wasting away from the inside out, festering, collapsing, everything good is burning away.

"We'll figure this out, okay?" he whispered, his brows furrowing and he forced a smile to his lips. "Give me until tomorrow and we'll have a plan, we'll–" He cleared his throat and it seemed, for the first time, Colette was witnessing Damon Salvatore stammering. She could smell the anxiety from him like a thick horrible wave of a perfume nobody likes. "–we'll have you as good as new."

"I don't know if it'll be that easy," she whispered with a faint smile. "We have a ball to go to tonight, we won't have time for research."

"A ball?"

She nodded and patted her sides weakly to where she must've slipped the letter for safekeeping during their travels to the house. When she found it, she pulled it free and handed it over to Damon. As he read it, she said, "I'm assuming we'll all get one but we're going to be busy tonight. Having all the Mikaelson's in one place is going to be our main focus for the next century."

"As if a little party is going to stop me from helping you," he scoffed, tossing the letter aside. "If Esther thinks this is going to bring them closer to being the perfect family, then she's more delusional than I thought. No amount of waltzing and good faces will take away the centuries of sibling arguments and imprisonment." He made a face. "Believe me, it took Stef and me a good minute before we finally got back into each other's good graces."

"How–" She coughed lightly again. "How long have you been a vampire, anyway?"

"A hundred and forty-six years."

"So, you're, like, a hundred and seventy-one years old?" she blanched, her eyes going wide.

He nodded, a small smile creeping up onto his face. "I was in the war, you know."

"God, which one?"

"Civil War." His smile grew. "I was a Lieutenant Soldier." She raised an eyebrow, afraid to ask and he grimaced slightly and said, "Yeah, I was a Confederate."

"Oh, Damon," she breathed, shaking her head. "That's just embarrassing."

He looked down, shielding his eyes from her as he chuckled. It was a soft sound, one she wasn't used to with him. There were so many things she was learning about him, little things that were building upon this essence she'd never faced before. "At the time, it wasn't..." He stopped himself and the tension in his shoulders released. "Okay, yeah, it was bad." His eyes met hers. "I left the Confederacy, though, going against what my father and the town wanted."

"Why?"

He shrugged. "Rebellion? The fact the South stood for everything I hated? The idea of finally being strong enough to do what I wanted?" He traced small circles on the blanket covering Colette's legs. "I wasn't going to fight for something I didn't believe in." He began to kick his shoes from his feet and her brows furrowed and when he looked back up to meet her eyes, there was a twinkle that wasn't there before. "You think I'm going to leave you to choke on your own blood in the middle of the night? What kind of person do you think I am?"

He carefully maneuvered himself over her and onto the empty side of the bed. He began to work himself under the covers when she found herself muttering. "You're going to sleep in jeans?"

Damon's gaze was quick to move to hers as he froze, one hand still opening the blankets up for himself. He glanced back down at his legs before his eyes trailed back up to her face and he said, slowly, "You're right, I probably shouldn't...right?"

"Right." She nodded, feeling warmth creep up her neck and to her cheeks. She watched him get out of the bed and turn his back to her. She heard the click and rattle of his belt unbuckling and then his zipper. She swallowed, her breath hitching in her throat, wondering why this had such an effect over her, even in her weakened state.

He pulled his jeans down and her eyes followed the way he bent down to pull them off his feet. She didn't peg him for a boxer brief kind of guy but it made sense, his jeans were probably too tight for boxers. When he tossed the pants onto one of the nicer chairs in the bedroom and began to turn around, she withdrew her eyes completely from him to ease herself lower on her pillows. The aching in her body was still there but it wasn't as awful as it had been when she first woke.

Damon pulled the covers back and got underneath and into the warmth but not before turning the light off. He folded his arm under his head, lying on his side to face her. She kept herself on her back, staring at the ceiling with her hands folded on her stomach. She didn't know why she felt it was necessary to be nervous around him, but she could feel that whatever had happened with Esther had flipped her switch back to normal because there was an anxiety creeping through her that hadn't been noticeable before.

There was something about him, something so unlike Klaus, that it would strike her sometimes when she was with him. It wasn't always so prominent as it was now, but the softness of his breath, the way she could feel his warmth seeping across the bed and caressing her skin. She could smell the light hints of a scent she associated when Elena was near and, before now, she'd never been able to distinguish it between Elena and something else.

There had always been something else.

"You think Esther's going to want us all to go to her ball?" Colette whispered as a blush spread over her cheeks.

"She wants to put on a show," said Damon. "There's no way she'd leave us out of the invitation list."

"Klaus seemed...disappointed when I told him a ball would be stupid, especially right now."

"Well, you insulted the man's pride and joy," scoffed Damon, "of course he'd be disappointed. You probably broke his poor puppy heart."

"I don't know what I'll be like once the sun comes up," she whispered, shaking her head lightly. "There's something wrong, like Esther came out and killed it all inside of me–" She let out a broken laugh. "I really wanted to go."

"To the ball?"

She nodded and finally moved to look at him, blinking away sticky tears. "Is that bad?" She laughed softly. "At first, the idea of going to a ball sounded stupid, especially with the Mikaelson family but..." She shook her head, forcing a smile. "I kinda wanted to dress up, to forget that there wasn't some impending doom pressing down on my shoulders and an immortal asshole wanting to play with us like toys."

"Did you have a dress in mind?" he asked. "Because I can imagine you in something huge."

She let out a chuckle. "Huge?"

"Cinderella huge." He raised a brow and smirked. "I could easily be your Prince Charming, you know. Getting on my knees for you would be the easiest thing in the world for me to do."

"Why on your knees?"

He rolled his eyes. "The glass slippers, parrot."

"Well, I wouldn't want a huge dress," she said. "I'd wear something simple but elegant, you know? I don't need to be the center of attention."

"I don't think what you wear will change the fact that all eyes turn to you when you walk into a room," he muttered and she watched his brows furrow just for a moment as if he were lost in thought. "You're very hard to miss."

"You say that now," she whispered with a faint smile, "but when I was human, I was practically invisible."

"You were hardly invisible," he said back in an equally soft voice. "God, Colette, if you could've just seen yourself through my eyes, I just–" He stopped himself and the look that spread across his face told her he hadn't meant to say that.

A warm tingle spread through her, settling in her core. It pooled inside of her and she had to inhale to remember to breathe. "I was in Naya's shadow," she said to him, her voice trembling. "I don't think anyone even noticed me before this summer."

His dark eyes met hers. It was so dark in the room, his eyes looked nearly black instead of their piercing blue. His ice had melted to an earthen ore in the darkness. "You were wearing an old University of Virginia sweatshirt the first time I ever saw you. Your hair was pulled back in this bun that was falling apart all around your face but you didn't seem to care because all of your attention was on something in some textbook as Naya ran her mouth off." Her lips parted and he didn't even give her the chance to think over what the hell he had just said before he was pulling the covers up higher on his arms and saying, "Don't bleed out tonight, these sheets were expensive and we have a lot to do tomorrow."

All she could do was roll over onto her side and hope sleep came faster than her thoughts.

Colette woke up the next morning feeling groggy, like she'd been drugged. She'd never been drugged before but if she had been, this is what it would've felt like. Her head was clouded in a fog, her movements felt slow, and her mouth was dry. Her body ached, not as severely but she had this growing anxiety that it was just preparing her for the worst later. Her phone, now sufficiently charged, buzzed a few good times and she reached over to read the text message.

Went to Elena's and Esther is requesting she go to the ball.

She frowned. She quickly texted Damon back, so that means what for us?

We probably definitely have to go.

She sighed and sat up. She'd barely gotten on her two feet when the world began to spin and she had to fall back against the bed to stop herself from fainting. Moving to sit properly on the bed as she blinked away black spots and breathed deeply, she read more of her missed texts. She was shocked to see who they were from.

1:26 am. Are you okay?

1:45 am. Please, answer me. I need to know you're safe.

It was giving her a strange sense of deja vu.

2:17 am. Something isn't right, you have to text me back

2:56 am. If you don't answer I'm coming to find you myself

3:00 am. if my visions were right then youre dead and i cant believe that so answer your fucking phone

3:46 am. ANSWER ME ANSWER ME ANSWER ME

She wasn't going to give Naya the satisfaction of knowing whether or not she was okay so she tossed her phone aside and went to get changed.

Colette moved slowly, almost at a hobble as she dressed to find a proper meal. She noticed dried blood underneath her eyes as she brushed her teeth and she picked at the flakes, watching them fall down her cheeks. Her eyes were tinged red, which was no surprise, and she found more dried blood crusted underneath her jaw.

Once she was done in the bathroom, she had a few baby sips of blood, enough for her stomach to accept it and settle but she was craving french fries and a milkshake, maybe even a bottle of vodka, too.

She should've looked at herself in the mirror before leaving the house and she definitely should've made sure she looked better in the car before she was walking into the Grill at a slow pace as if she were a snail. It was hard to walk properly with the stiffness in her limbs.

"Oh my god," breathed Caroline from one of the tables as Colette stopped to look around in a daze. "You look like actual death, Cole."

"What the hell happened to you?" said Elena, turning in her seat to face the other girl.

Colette pushed her sunglasses on top of her head and met them at the table. She was thankful they had a basket of fries already out and ready for her, it was like they knew she was coming. She took a seat and reached for a handful of fries as she muttered, "What? Didn't Bonnie and Damon tell you?"

"Yeah," said Caroline with a furrowed brow, "but they left out the part where you look like the walking dead." She reached out and touched Colette's cheek and she tried to evade her fingers but the other girl was already making a face and saying, "You're pale as a ghost, Cole, what the hell?"

She forced a smile. "Esther basically sucked the life out of me when I cracked the coffin open."

"So you really have magic powers?" muttered Elena. "Like, actual magic?"

She narrowed her eyes. "Let me guess, did Damon tell you?"

"He kind of had too," said Elena sheepishly. "I forced it out of him after he mentioned you were the one to open the coffin and Bonnie confirmed it."

"You could do that special fire thing Bonnie can do and you kept it to yourself this whole time?" spat Caroline with a distant smile. "You know how much fun we could've had with that?" The girl shook her head, her smile growing. "At least we know now so you can set Klaus's ass on fire tonight. You are going, right?"

"I can barely stand on my own," muttered Colette, "I barely made it here, how the hell do you expect me to stand in heels and dance all night?" She stuffed a few fries into her mouth.

"Because Rebekah just asked Matt to go," said Caroline and Colette's hand fell from her mouth.

"She–what?"

"She's just doing it to get a rise out of us," said Elena, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, and it's working!" Colette cleared her throat. "Why the hell is she bringing Matt? What about–" Me?

"So, if he's going then I'm going," said Caroline before narrowing her eyes, "and that means you are too. You aren't going to leave me there with Klaus, are you?"

"Well...I..."

"Colette."

"Fine." She rested her head in her hands, rubbing her eyes with her other. "I don't even have a dress, Care."

"Then you better find one quick," said the girl with a grin, "because we're going to be keeping Matt away from a century old vampire bitch."

"And what about you?" Colette asked Elena. "Going to be sneaking off for your meeting with Esther?"

Elena sighed. "And did Damon tell you that?" The girl nodded. "Esther wants me to go alone but if Damon and Stefan are there..."

Colette nodded, slowly, her head hurting. "Then you'll never be alone."

"Exactly."

"I think Stefan will help you," said Colette, rubbing her temple. "He's more willing to do anything to kill Klaus than Damon, which means he'll risk your life for it."

"You think so?"

"Klaus took everything from Stefan," she said. "He'd do anything to get a little payback." She leaned closer and whispered, "But Stefan also loves you so he'd be willing to do anything you say to get back in your good graces."

"I really doubt that, Cole," said the other girl with a frown. "With his humanity off...things are so different. It's hard to know what the truth is and what isn't anymore."

"Guess we'll just find out tonight," breathed Colette as her phone buzzed in her pocket. It buzzed a good three times before she frowned and pulled it free.

1:12 pm. Colette pls pls respond to me im worried

1:12 pm. if i see you at the ball tonight im going to be so fucking pissed

1:13 pm. i know your phone works, the read receipts are on you fucking asshole

"Oh my god," said Caroline from over her shoulder, "does she always text you like that?"

"Like what?" muttered Colette. "A bitch?"

"Yeah," nodded Care, "like a possessive control freak."

Elena leaned over to read the text messages. "I knew Naya was...temperamental but I didn't think she was like this." She glanced up and her eyes met Colette's quickly. "How could you stand her?"

We were sisters by force. We were bonded by fate. Our souls were intertwined the moment we were born.

She shrugged. "It was easier to ignore it when I was human."

1:15 pm. it's all happening like i thought it would cole you have to see that, you have to see that im right. we have to work together i can save you

"She was a witch, before becoming a vampire," said Colette, shifting in her chair to ease the strain in her shoulders and lower back. "She was having visions of me dying when I opened the coffin, that Esther was going to kill me–" She stopped herself with a sigh. "I think I am dying, Esther has been stealing parts of me for a while now, ever since I became a vampire she's been feeding off of me."

Elena's brows furrowed. "She...she gave you your gifts, didn't she?"

Colette nodded. "She's taking back what's hers and I think..." She shook her head and looked up with watery eyes. "I think she's killing me."

"Then how do we stop it?"

She shrugged. "Ask Esther tonight," she said as a joke, knowing the woman wouldn't spill her secrets. "But don't tell Damon any of this, okay?" Elena frowned. "I...I don't want him worrying about me."

"Cole," laughed Elena, "he's already worried. He was practically fussing over when he should get back to the boarding house to continue researching about you."

"Huh?"

"Yeah," said Elena with a smile. "He told me he couldn't sleep at all last night," her smile softened, "all he could think about was how to help you."

Caroline scoffed. "Who knew Damon even had a caring bone in his body?"

Elena sighed. "Care..."

"What?" said Caroline, crossing her arms. "We all know I'm team Stefan but..." She looked at Colette. "It's obvious he cares for you, like, it's hard to ignore." She narrowed her eyes with a playful smile. "How come you're attracting all the murderers?"

Colette shrugged, rubbing away her headache. "Guess I'm just a killer magnet."

You're candy to serial killers.

You're the honey flavored sweets they can't stop from taking.

When she returned to the boarding house and showered, there was something on her bed waiting for her. She touched the fabric of the beautiful dress, it's color deeper than evergreen. It was silky to the touch but she'd thought it was velvet at first sight but running her fingers down the material, it was rich and smooth and light.

She knew it was from Damon just by his handwriting alone on a little piece of paper lying next to the dress. Her heart did an embarrassing little flip inside her chest and she swallowed down that feeling as she reread the note.

For if you're feeling up to it.

She dropped her towel to the ground and slid herself into the dress. It fit her perfectly and she went to the mirror to look at herself. The color was stunning against her skin and hair and it clung to every curve perfectly. The straps were thin and she adjusted them accordingly against her shoulders. It had a sweetheart halter that pushed her breasts up and she found that she wouldn't even need a bra (thank god) with how it clung to her so tightly.

Swaying from side to side, the slit in the side of the dress stopped just short of her hip, exposing the length of her leg. Moving back through the room, she grabbed her black heels and quickly put them on. She was going to be, of course, fashionably late. She finished her hair and makeup in the bathroom, not going for something intense but something to get the point across that she was the one they should all fear more than themselves.

She did her best to hide the bags under her eyes and the paleness to her face by adding blush. There were a few bruises she didn't remember getting on her forearm that she covered just enough with some random foundation lying around in her makeup bag. It was enough to make her look distinguishable and reputable. She left her hair down and in their natural waves, she didn't find the need to do much besides blow dry and brush it out.

Grabbing her coat, which was something she'd stolen from Naya's home, she left. It didn't take her long to arrive at the Mikaelson home and she was surprised to see the number of cars before her in a train to get to the front door where a valet service was waiting. The trees lining the house near the front door were circled with twinkle lights, making it look like some fairytale castle she would surely get trapped inside.

There are beasts waiting to eat you up. They can't wait to devour you.

She'd taken a car service so she wouldn't have to drive home. She had a feeling she'd be drunk by the end of the night. She thanked and paid her driver before getting out of the car at the front doors. The ball hadn't started that long ago but she could hear the music and the people from inside, chorusing and chattering like bugs on a summer night.

Her body was still uneasy and she could feel it in her gut, that lightness that wasn't quite right. Her bones ached when she moved her legs and arms but this was something she had to do, wasn't it? She had to be there for Matt, she had to be there for Elena and Caroline, she had to be there, she had to be–

The doors opened for her and someone came to get her coat, helping her peel it off her arms. She was already overwhelmed and had the terrible urge to turn and run but she allowed herself to spin around and look at what was ahead of her.

There were so many people, all in long gowns and tuxedos. They clung to the arms of their dates or at the tables scattered around the foyer with glasses of champagne and cheese on toothpicks. She could recognize some of the Mikaelson's right away and she swallowed thickly and pulled her shoulders back.

She was powerful. She was dangerous. She was everything they weren't and she was determined to let them know it.

They can see it, they can see it all–

"You're here," came a voice from beside her and she turned, expecting a familiar face but found that she didn't know exactly who she was speaking to. "My brother had quite the fit knowing you wouldn't be arriving tonight."

She narrowed her eyes at him. He was handsome and had an accent, so he was obviously a Mikaelson. She'd met him the night of Elijah's pitiful dinner party, but she could hardly remember his name through the haze of the following events. "And you are?"

He let out a small chuckle. "We hardly got the chance to meet," he said, holding out his hand to her, "I'm Kol Mikaelson and I must say...it's a privilege to meet you."

She took his hand lightly in hers and hoped he got the memo she didn't care about him, because she didn't. She was here for someone else, wasn't she? "So you know me." It wasn't a question but a statement, she knew his answer already.

"Colette Copeman," he said with a grin. "The girl who's somehow stolen my insufferable brother's heart." He leaned closer as his lips curled into a tight lipped smirk. "I hear you even helped free dear old mum."

"I'm sure those aren't the only things you've heard about me," she said with pursed lips as she walked past him. He followed by her side, he was taller than her.

"You've got a temper," he whispered, "a fiery one at that."

"That's what happens when you die," she said with a shrug. "You burn out and you get angry. So, what makes you angry then, Kol? You're obviously talking to me for a reason and I'm guessing it's not because I'm better company than the snobs from the high school organization."

"Can't it just be because of your undying beauty?" he mused.

"No."

He sighed, bringing the glass of champagne in his hands up to his lips. "I like to torture my brother, if you haven't noticed. Speaking to you is currently making his blood boil." He raised his brows and cocked his head to the side for her to follow his motion and there was Klaus.

She felt her heart skip a beat and a horrible feeling crawl over her skin. "He seems pretty preoccupied to be worried about what you're doing."

"You mean the prom queen?" he asked, frowning before shaking his head. "I will let you in on a little secret," he leaned closer, "he gifted her everything she's wearing tonight."

Terrible anger swelled up in Colette's chest as she stared at Caroline Forbes speaking to Klaus in her beautiful blue grown and the diamonds across her neck and on her ears. "Interesting," she said instead of the nasty things curling up in her head. She took the glass of champagne from Kol's hands and muttered, "Thanks for the pointless talk," her hand brushed his as she took the glass and he hissed at the contact as she smiled, "and for the drink." Her fingers were smoking as she left his side and she didn't even realize she'd burned him until she was walking away.

Glad to know her powers still worked, she was afraid they'd be burning away with the rest of the darkness inside of her. She was sure, sooner or later, it would all fizzle out anyway. That's what she was assuming, of course, but from the way her body ached and burned, she wouldn't be surprised if her assumptions would all end up correct.

"Colette!" called a voice, this one she recognized all too well.

He was by her side just as she was swallowing the last drop of champagne and passing it off to a waiter. He wore all black, save for the shirt underneath his suit jacket and she'd be a fool if she said she didn't like him like this, dressed up and perfect.

"You're–" He let out a breath, looking her up and down in a way that didn't make her feel dirty but respectable. "You're wearing the dress."

"I didn't have anything else to wear," she whispered back, wishing she could've said anything else. "I..." She shook her head, trying to recover but why was she blushing? Why was she nervous? "How did you know this would even fit me? Or the color would look good?"

"Come on," he said with a scoff. "I've been around for over a century, I know how to dress and I certainly know how to dress someone else." His eyes crinkled and he murmured, "I just didn't expect your girlfriend to be wearing a similar shade."

"My what?" she asked with a frown, following his long gaze to the Mikaelson descending the staircase in a beautiful emerald gown. She was stunning, as always, and the sight of her was enough to knock the breath from Colette's lungs. "She's–she's not my girlfriend," she stuttered back, shaking her head.

"Aw, Cole," cooed Damon, "you're blushing."

"I am not."

"You like her."

"No–"

"It's okay, you can tell me," he pressed, a jealous scent coming off of him as it came off of her, but she continued to shake her head.

"I'm blushing because of you, you idiot," she snarled back, pressing her lips firmly together with a scowl. From behind her, she watched as the doors opened and a beautiful Elena walked in, her shoulders bare as her jacket was taken and all hope inside Colette's chest seemed to vanish as Damon noticed the other girl too.

She could smell the change in him and she sighed, just to herself, before whispering, "Go to her."

"Huh?" His head spun to look at her, his eyes wide before narrowing.

"Go to her," she repeated, weakly. "You know you want to."

"Colette–"

She shook her head. "Go," she whispered for a third time, "I'll be fine."

Would she, though?

She watched just for a moment as Damon left her side to go to Elena and she couldn't find it in her heart to watch the exchange, even as Stefan arrived. She turned away, taking a glass of champagne off one of the metal trays the waiters were passing around and went to find a place to rest her legs and her heavy heart.

The home was perfectly furnished and she found herself in a living room type area fit with long leather couches and stunning chairs. Artwork hung on every wall not adorned with a window and she found herself resting against the arm of one of the couches as she chugged her champagne.

She didn't expect Damon to run back to her, she understood where his heart lies but it didn't stop it from hurting any less. There was something about him that was so alluring, it continued to draw her back in and she was tired of fighting but every time she thought he was giving it up, he was confessing something to her, it was gone in the blink of an eye. It was Elena and it would always be Elena.

And something about that didn't sit right.

Colette tore across the room and found the bathroom in under thirty seconds. Thankful that there wasn't a line and no one was inside, she flung herself into the little room with the beautiful white walls and black tile floor before dropping to her knees before the toilet.

Blood coated the bowl as she gagged and coughed. She clutched the sides of the porcelain, feeling herself shuddering with another convulsion. Her blood was thick and a deep red, and she could feel it dripping down her chin in gooey rivulets.

She squeezed her eyes shut tightly, she refused to cry.

She was alone, she was alone, she was all alone–

"There you are," breathed Naya from the doorway. Colette hadn't even heard the door open and she weakly turned her head to meet her friend's dark stare. Naya wore a tight black dress with slits on either side to expose both her legs. Her hair was pushed back and away from her face in a simple style. Everything she wore was simple but Colette knew it was hardly that.

"Get out," snarled Colette in a hoarse voice and the other girl tsked and smiled.

"Chin up," said Naya, "don't want to get blood on that darling dress."

"Fuck–fuck you."

Naya rolled her eyes and went to the sink, grabbing one of the dark hand towels, wetting it. She then crouched down beside Colette carefully, taking her by the face and forcing her to look at her as she wiped at the blood. Her brows furrowed slightly in concentration and Colette swallowed thickly, clots of blood stuck against her throat and roof of her mouth.

"Why are you doing this?" she whispered. "You just looking for a taste?"

Naya glanced up from where she was wiping at the blood threatening to drip between Cole's breasts. "The second that coffin opened, your blood began losing all its potency. It won't grant me anything now." She folded a piece of the towel over and began to wipe at the bloody dribble on Cole's cheek. "Even if I did have a taste, there wouldn't be enough power to even give me a drop of the strength you have."

"That's why you didn't want me to open it," she whispered back and Naya nodded.

"Well, there's no point in lying anymore, right?" she muttered with a shrug, shifting to sit on the ground. It surprised Colette to see the other girl just willing sit on the bathroom floor, especially in her gown, but she moved to lean against the wall as Colette still rested on her knees clinging to the bowl. "Your special blood isn't going to be special for much longer, unless you die again."

Colette narrowed her eyes. Had she just heard her correctly?

"Get someone to kill you with vampire blood in you and you'll probably come back and be fine," she said with a shrug. "I'm sure your precious Damon has come to such a conclusion." There was an awful sparkle in her eyes. "He's been so worried for you, it's been pathetic. Too bad he'll always be in love with poor, dull Elena." She shifted on the ground. "Too bad all your lovers are finding new toys. Klaus with Caroline, Rebekah with Matt...it's hard to watch you lose everyone."

"You just come in here to mock me and tell me I have to die, is that it?" Colette spat back. "If so, you can just leave. I don't need you running your fucking mouth."

"Aw, did I hit a poor subject?" cooed Naya, rolling her eyes. "I'm only stating the obvious."

"You don't know a goddamn thing."

"Whatever," she said with another roll of her eyes. "Now that Esther is free, she'll probably get moving on her plan to kill all her children. I'd be careful about the champagne you drink tonight, there's a good chance you could end up linked by accident."

"Linked?"

Naya nodded. "She's using Elena to help her link all her children together so if one dies, they all do." She brushed a piece of fuzz off her dress with a scowl. "And, believe it or not, I care for you, Colette. I'd hate to see you twisted up in Esther grand plan, even if you were dumb enough to open the coffin."

"I would've died if I didn't," she said back, feeling her stomach churn either from nerves or the sickness plaguing her. "I did what I had too."

"Well, I guess you're screwed either way."

Colette narrowed her eyes and changed the subject. "Are you here alone?"

Naya's eyes met hers and her lips parted in startlement at the girl's question. "No, I'm–"

"Yes you are."

"I am not, you bitch."

Colette smiled slowly and she knew from Naya's look of quick disgust that her teeth were coated in blood. "Tommy left you," a laugh escaped her, "you're just as alone as I am."

"We are not the same."

"Then tell me why you're in here with me and not out there?" snapped Colette, having enough strength to push herself away from the toilet. "You're just as pathetic as I am."

"At least I'm not fucking dying."

"One day," Colette grinned, "you will."

"Cunt."

"Bitch."

Naya scowled, looking away. "I used to have visions of you in high school," she said, picking at the skin on her thigh. "Ones of us, like this, all alone. I thought it was fate, you know? That we'd end up together at the end of it all but once this summer hit..." She shook her head and let out a slow breath. "It all changed. I saw visions of Klaus, him killing you for your blood. I saw Damon with his hands coated in the same red. I saw myself, still a witch, watching you transition." She shook her head. "Then...then they didn't come true, at least not all of them. I didn't watch you transition like I was supposed to, I didn't stop you from opening the coffin, I didn't think any of this would happen."

"Looks like your witchy powers were shit from the start," said Colette with a shrug. "Things happen and things change, whatever was influencing your visions shifted."

"Or maybe they were just protecting me from the truth," said the girl. "They didn't want to show me just how I'd kill you to save your life only for you to still die." She flicked a strand of hair away from her face. "I don't know how much Damon knows, since I only know as much from what my visions had told me in the weeks leading up to our...deaths, but he has to know that the only way to save you is to kill you."

Colette frowned, not sure what to even say but Naya quickly filled the void.

"In order to truly sever the link between you and Esther, you have to die," she explained with a sigh as if this wasn't what she wanted to be doing with her evening. "Bloodier the better, it has to be brutal, it has to be a true death."

"But aren't I already dead?" asked Colette. "Wouldn't someone have to stake me?"

"Not a permanent death," said Naya, "just one to kill the poison leeching your power. The vampire blood in you right now has been burning away the demon blood very slowly but once that coffin opened, it sped up the dying process. Get enough vampire blood in you, it'll wipe out the rest of the corrupted blood, that's why the death has to be bloody. If enough of the demon is spilled then you'll come back strong instead of this pathetic mess you're allowing yourself to become."

"How can I ever trust you?" breathed Colette, shaking her head. Everything the girl has ever done has been for her own gain, so why trust her now? How could she even believe this was for Cole and not herself?

"Because I'd do anything for you," said Naya as she slowly pushed herself off the floor and back onto her feet, "and because you know I'd do whatever it takes to keep you by my side." She took a few careful steps forward, staring down at Colette. "The gifts you have will be yours and yours alone if you come back."

"Come back?"

"There's the chance you might not make it through the transition," said Naya with a slight frown. "It's why..." She shook her head and let out a slow breath. "That's why I can't kill you myself. I can't...I can't risk you not coming back."

Colette scowled. "But you'll let Damon do it instead?"

"I won't be responsible for your death," she snapped back. "I couldn't live with that and I'm sure Damon has done plenty worse, he'll be fine." She put her hands on her hips. "Now, will you get up? You look horrible from this angle, Colette, you've still got blood in your teeth."

She brought her hand to her mouth, drawing her fingers over her teeth. She looked at the blood coating her fingers as she sucked on her teeth, her throat still burned. "When does this all have to happen?" she asked in a low voice, barely meeting Naya's gaze.

"Do you want to continue to feel like shit?" asked Naya. "Or do you want to actually feel better now?" By whatever face Colette just made, Naya made a small sound of triumph and nodded. "Go show a good face out there or your lovers will start to think you've abandoned them."

Colette eased herself up, clinging to the wall. "And what about you? Just going to slink around and hope you find a new rebound?"

The girl shrugged, flipping her hair off her bare shoulder. "Tommy will realize soon enough what exactly he's missing. With the rest of the boys off to college, he'll need me more than ever." Her eyes ran over Colette as the other girl went to the sink to wash her hands. "Besides, if Matt can settle for Rebekah, then I certainly don't need to go after him. The same goes for Damon and Stefan, they've gotten themselves so wrapped up in Elena it's hard to take them seriously."

"And what about the other Mikaelson brothers?" asked Colette, drying her hands and running her tongue over her teeth. "I'm sure Kol would love you."

"I don't do love."

"But you love me."

"You're different," whispered Naya as they stood in the doorway. "You're my soulmate, we don't follow the same rules."

Twinflames. Lost in the same head, part of the same heart.

Naya reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind Cole's ear. "Klaus would've killed you, drained you dry if I hadn't intervened the night of my party," she whispered to her. "You would've gone to that bar and he would've taken you away." She played with the ends of Colette's hair. "He would've taken you from me and I couldn't allow that." She shrugged and dropped her hands. "Now he's got himself a new toy, I'm sure you've noticed."

Caroline.

Naya smiled, slowly. "I know it hurts you, still. You had been so stupidly in love with him and for what, Cole? Is the dick worth all the trouble he's giving you now?" Her eyes narrowed with a smirk. It was strange how she could flip between sweet and foul, her mask peeling back just enough to draw her back in. "It's the same with Rebekah and Damon. They'll never be able to give you what I can."

"And that is?"

"A love that won't turn sour."

Colette rolled her eyes, using the door frame to hold herself up the best she could. Naya gave her a pout, her eyes running up and down at the way Cole clung to the wall to keep standing.

"Get one dance in and then go home, Colette," said Naya with a sigh. "You'll regret it if you don't get to show off for the town how stunning that color is on you."

As Colette looked down to examine just how beautiful the color still was, she heard Naya walk away and when she looked up, she was gone. Colette pushed herself away from the bathroom door and walked slowly back towards the foyer where the music was still playing just as elegantly. As she walked down the hall, the ballroom caught her eyes.

Inside, she spotted Caroline dancing with Klaus and something awful spat inside of her at the sight. She didn't know why it bothered her so much but seeing Caroline in the dress Klaus had gifted her made Cole's blood run as hot as fire.

It should be me.

But then, there was Damon, dancing with Elena and that same fiery anger spread through her. Even the sight of Rebekah dancing with Matt made something unflattering spill through her like some awful disease had been uncorked.

She watched the dancers change partners and she wished she could be out there, but not in her state. She wouldn't be able to take one graceful spin or dip without her head spinning. It was like the gods were making fun of her at this point, taunting her with all that she couldn't have. If she allowed someone to kill her and she didn't come back, would she have more regrets? Would she regret not confessing to Damon how she felt? How she felt for Rebekah? Even Klaus?

She knew if given the chance and the blonde asked her to run away with her, Colette would. At least, she thinks she would. The life she envisioned for them was so peaceful, just somewhere in some city as someone else entirely. They would sleep in a big bed, they would curl up and read by the fire, they would maybe have a cat, Colette didn't know. There were so many times she wished the girl would bring her closer, but her mind couldn't help but think of that kiss they shared. It was for show, Cole knew that and so did Rebekah. It was just a plot to anger her brother, to prove a point Colette didn't know at the time. Could they move on from something like that? Could Rebekah see her as something other than just a revenge tactic?

It were thoughts like these that drew Colette right back to Klaus. She watched how his hand clutched at Caroline's hip and it was a feeling Cole was used to. The tightness, the pressure, the beautiful ache that didn't hurt but sent dizzying thoughts to her head. She loved him, she was sure of it, at some point she had truly loved him. She knew in an instant, if he acted right, she would fall over again. She was drunk on his strength and power, the way he carried himself. But how could she look past all the harm? Colette didn't often trust Naya anymore but with what she said, she was certain Klaus would've slit her throat or drained her just to give his precious hybrids a fighting chance.

But Klaus and her...they'd have a beautiful life. She knew it would be filled with art, good food, beautiful places, and the feeling like the warm sun constantly on her face. They would have a little place, something not truly as lavish as it could be but quaint. She imagined they would have a big window where they would look out during sunsets and sunrises. There would be bad days and good days but that's what it meant to be in love, nothing was picture perfect all of the time.

She watched Caroline scoff at something he said and they changed partners. She slipped in between the changing partners and caught the girl by the waist as she spun to face the next dancer. Colette smiled softly at Rebekah and the girl returned the smile with a smirk.

"I was wondering when you'd finally approach me," said the original, her green dress reflecting in the lights like it was metallic. "I was afraid my display of...power the other night would've scared you off."

"Hardly," said Colette in a low voice, surprised she was able to keep up with the dancing as well as she was. "It was surprising but..."

"Did I woo you?"

"You wooed me the first moment I saw you," said Colette in return with a laugh. "It's hard to look away when you walk into a room."

Rebekah ran her hand over Colette's shoulder, gripping it firmly. "I could argue the same of you." Her eyes lowered and she looked down and through her lashes at Colette's dress and chest. "It seems we have more in common than I thought."

"You could say green is our color," said Colette, her eyes roaming the top of the girl's gown. "But it also seems we have similar taste in men." She smiled softly, leaning closer and feeling as their chests pressed just barely together. "Matt? Really? I didn't think you would like guys like that."

"Like what?"

"Boring," said Cole with a roll of her eyes, "and plain. I love Matt, I do, he's a good friend, but for you? It surprised me." She swallowed thickly, fixing her grip on Rebekah's waist. She couldn't feel a panty line, it made her chest flush. "But then again...I'd do the same, bringing him here, if it meant pissing off Caroline and Elena."

Rebekah scoffed at their names.

"But I'd take it a step further," she said with a grin. "I'd take him into a back room and kill him if it meant triggering the queen bee's in charge." She raised a brow as Rebekah's perfect lips parted. "That's what you are going to do, isn't it?"

Rebekah didn't speak, only continuing to follow Colette's lead as they danced.

"Come on," she cooed, "you seriously thought you'd get away with something like that? You're forgetting, Bekah, I know things others don't. I know you better than you think, just like how you're going to fall for Matt's stupid smile and the way he tilts his head and quirks his lip when you say something kind or funny."

"You don't know anything," scoffed Rebekah and Colette leaned closer. "And what if I did it to make you jealous, hmm? What if all of this was just for you?"

"It's not," whispered Colette, with a shake of her head. A final dance, just for her? A final moment to feel beautiful before death? Maybe. Yes, maybe. "But I know you want to make Elena pay for what she did to you."

"She staked me."

"For good measure," countered Colette as they prepared for the spin. "Do you really think you would've been able to get through the plan of killing Klaus? You think, even after everything he's done, you would've been able to keep it a secret?"

Rebekah pursed her lips. "That doesn't mean anything."

"Doesn't it, though?" Colette didn't know where all of this was coming from but it seemed a better time than any to discuss it. If Naya was right, she'd be dead by tonight and potentially forever.

You'll die before you ever get the chance to live.

"I'd never been to a dance before," whispered Rebekah in a small voice before Colette spun her and brought her back to her, their bodies molding together, their gowns shifting against their legs. "I was...I was excited."

"And you looked beautiful," added Colette. Rebekah's brows furrowed at the comment and Colette was quick to continue. "I made sure you were safe, even with a dagger in you. I knew I couldn't get away with undaggering you so the best I could do was get you back to your brother. He would've undaggered you at some point."

"So...you saw me? In my dress?"

"Of course, I did. You also kissed me in that dress," said Colette with a soft laugh. "It would've gone perfectly with the dress you gave me to wear." What was it with Mikaelson's giving people dresses? And now Damon, too? Was it something Colette just didn't know about? A tradition from years before? "You looked prom queen worthy."

"It was just homecoming," she muttered back to which Colette quickly spoke.

"Homecoming court worthy, I don't fucking know." She laughed, just enough to spread a sharp ache through her chest. She eased her smile away as their time dancing came to an end, they would have to switch partners. "But this whole thing with Matt...just be careful. Don't do anything rash, okay? You might really like him."

"But what if I like someone else?" whispered Rebekah and Colette met her warm gaze. "What if I like you?"

And I would say let's run away. Let's get away right now. Take me somewhere safe, somewhere I don't have to feel this pain. Somewhere I can finally be at peace.

"Then I'd say you were loving a death wish," whispered Colette, "that none of this would last like we want it too."

"It doesn't have to be."

Colette let her eyes fall away from hers, dropping her head as they prepared to change partners one last time. "But it always does, doesn't it?"

Pulling herself from Rebekah, she caught the arms of Elijah as he waited for the next girl to change partners. He gasped, just slightly, as she took his hand and placed the other on his shoulder.

"Waltzing your idea?" she whispered with a slight smile, ignoring the way her chest still ached for Rebekah and the warmth of her grip. It was so different with the other girl, like coming out of a dream that leaves her dizzy. "I didn't peg the most violent family in history to be so...elegant."

"It comes with the years," he said back and she could admit she liked the sight of him in a tuxedo. He was a good dresser already but something about a man in a good tux changed the game. "You don't seem well," he said, addressing the obvious. He leaned closer, his mouth going to her ear as he whispered, "There's blood dried against your jaw."

She made a move to flake it away but Elijah was first. His fingers were warm and gentle against her face and she had the urge to lean into his touch. He spoke softly, "I know better than to step into this dangerous territory once again," he was referring to Tatia, the girl he'd loved just as Klaus did, "but I will admit, you're captivating. You're not like other vampires I've met before."

"Thank your mother," she said back as he spun her. She ignored how her head dizzied as she came back into his arms. "But you're right, this would be a dangerous idea, even if you are handsome."

But you're not Klaus and you're not Rebekah.

"My brother loves you," he said, "which I find very surprising. He doesn't open his heart to many."

"If he loves me so much, then why hasn't he spoken to me?" she asked, curious. "He's barely even glanced my way."

"That dress..." Elijah smiled warily as his eyes narrowed in Caroline's direction. "...a similar style had been meant for you, yet you turned down his invitation."

She frowned, her brows furrowing. "I didn't exactly turn him down–"

"He sees it as such."

Why does he even care? He can have any girl he's ever wanted, he was just dancing with one even more fascinating and beautiful than me. How could he even look my way?

Because you are just as fascinating and beautiful, even more so.

"Why are you helping him?" she asked, finally. His fingers drummed against her hip as he glanced to the side and towards his brother. "He had you daggered, you were just a pawn for him."

"We're family," he said. "As much as I might deteste Niklaus on occasion, we are still brothers. I have an obligation to him as he has one to me."

"So you're helping him get laid?"

Elijah chuckled, shaking his head as they continued their dance. "I'm helping him figure out how to use that mangled piece of heart he still has left inside that hollow chest of his." His eyes found hers again and he smiled, genuinely. "Except, it's going to be difficult for him knowing two others might hold your heart." He chuckled for a second time. "My sister has a strange fondness for you, which I'm sure you're aware of."

"She did kiss me in front of you all," said Colette, "so it's not hard to be aware of the obvious."

Her lips had been soft. Still just glossy enough from the dance she would never attend.

"Yes, she did seem to do that," he said with a laugh. "She loves a dramatic entrance, even as a child she'd find ways to shock us all. To draw attention to herself."

"And what's your point to all of this?"

"I'm sure you know my mother has requested to see Elena," he muttered so quietly, she had to strain her ears to hear. "Her forgiveness of Niklaus was...surprising. You need to be aware that something might be growing, something that leaves me uneasy."

Colette lowered her eyes to Elijah's chest as the music slowed. They came to a stop and she moved both hands to his chest, smoothing out the collar of his suit as she murmured, "I know how badly you all want to be a family but...you need to be careful."

Elijah's brows furrowed as she looked up to meet his eyes. "Do you know something?"

She patted his chest. "I know everything."

I can sense the growing danger. I can smell it in the air.

Blood, blood, there's always blood.

"But there isn't much I can do," she said in a lowered voice. "I'm sure you can smell the fact that I'm the weakest in the room, even as a vampire." Something hitched in her throat, was it the realization that she might not make it to see the sun rise? That she would never find someone to call home? "Just know that if I somehow...somehow die, don't trust your mother."

"Colette?" Elijah was frowning.

"She's caused all of this," she whispered, shaking her head as people dispersed around them. She pressed herself just slightly more against Elijah, his hands going to her hips to keep her close to avoid being jostled by the people in suits and gowns. "Be cautious of what you drink tonight."

She pulled away from him and allowed herself to get lost in the moving groups of people. She hadn't seen Elena, Damon, or Stefan and she wondered if the girl had finally gotten the courage to meet with Esther. She noticed Naya in the crowd and the other girl noticed her.

Colette made a move to go to her, because she was the only one who truly understood how she didn't have the fight left to stand and smile. The music changed to something gentle and soft as background noise. But she barely took a few steps forward before someone took her arm and she was being whisked through the house at a quick walking pace. She knew who it was instantly by their touch and smell and as he pulled her outside and towards the small gardens in the backyard. Standing on cobblestone surrounded by tall hedges and roses, which she was surprised could survive in the coldness of the outdoors, she met the eyes of her slight captor.

"What are you doing speaking with Elijah?" snapped Klaus with dark eyes. "Dancing with him? In my home?"

Her lips parted and her brows furrowed in shock. She hadn't thought it was much of a big deal, considering everybody was dancing with everyone. She just so happened to slide into his arms as the transition occurred. She closed her mouth and wondered how it was fair for him to accuse her, even as he danced and smiled with Caroline as if he hadn't bought her that gorgeous dress.

You were given a dress, too, you ungrateful child. You were gifted with something gorgeous and yet...why do your thoughts only consist of him instead?

"He's doing this to get a rise out of me," he said, shaking his head, his perfect curls moving with his head. "He knows what you mean and he wants to see me frustrated, he's still angry for what I've done to our family–"

"You locked them away," said Colette in a small voice, "of course he's still angry. You've stolen years from them." She shook her head slightly, finding her hands curling into fists at her sides as goosebumps spread across her arms. "It's not exactly your home, though. It's your family's house."

He scowled, his hand going to his hair but he stopped himself. "Is that why you think I made this home? For my family?!" He cursed at her, the veins under his eyes pulsing with dark color. "It was for you, for us–!"

Her heart skipped an ugly beat and she nearly choked on the saliva in her mouth. She had to force herself to swallow, heat flaming her cheeks. For her? This had been for her?

"You think I would've wanted to live here with you?" she whispered, shocked and feeling a numbness spread over her fingertips as she forgot to breathe. "You're out there flirting with other women, with–with Caroline, and you think I'll just come crawling back to you? After everything you've done?"

"Caroline is just a toy!" he cried out, his hands in fists. She could see the fangs peeking out from behind his lips. "I was just using her, she's not you–"

"Using her?" she breathed. "How would she feel knowing what you were doing?" Colette brought her hand up to her mouth, stuttering out a short breath. "All of this has–has been to make me jealous?" He stared at her, his lips pressed firmly together. There were slight tears in his eyes, just barely there but they reflected in the lights from inside casting strange shadows over them and the garden. "I'm not the one who lied, Klaus. I'm not the one who used me."

"That was before I truly knew you–"

"And does that really matter?" she asked, defeated. "You were going to kill me and you think a house is going to make me forget everything you've done? You–you–" She couldn't even speak. This had been all for her and there was that awful pit in her stomach that opened up and begged her to take him back, to welcome that evil he was spilling out into the world.

She wished she had the strength to flip her switch. She couldn't stand the feeling, the emotion, the desperateness in her stomach.

"Klaus," she whispered, feeling her eyes well up with tears but she had an awful feeling whatever would fall down her cheeks wouldn't be clear. "I..." He took a step forward, taking her face in both hands as she said feebly, "I'm not going to make it."

He wiped his thumbs underneath her eyes, catching the tears before they fell and she could smell the blood. It was rancid, like the browning blood from a corpse. From roadkill.

"I can't forgive you," she whispered to him and his brows furrowed deeply, "because if I do, I won't be able to stop myself."

"Stop yourself from what?" he breathed back, catching more of her tears and she could smell the worry. He didn't know what was wrong with her, he didn't understand much of what his mother's blood had done to her.

"From wanting you," she said, meeting his gaze and forcing a watery smile. "From wanting to l–love you."

"But why is that so wrong?" he pleaded, caressing her cheeks as some of his fingers got lost in her hair. "Why can't we just be happy?"

"Because there will always be something else," she said. "Some new plan, someone new for you to kill, for you to hurt. I can't–I can't handle more pain like that."

"But I'd never hurt you!"

"But you already have!"

His hands dropped from her face and they stared at one another, just a breath away. His eyes were rimmed in red and there was a pinkness to his cheeks which she didn't know whether it was from the chill in the air or the emotion floating between them.

"Tell me," she whispered, "that when you look at Caroline, you feel nothing." She needed to know if she was leaving him with someone better than herself, that he would somehow be okay if she never came back. It was the same with Rebekah, she would be okay once she left this place.

"I feel nothing," he roared, a hand pounding against his chest with every word. "My heart is yours, Colette, don't you understand that?!"

"How do I know you won't just break my heart all over again?" she breathed, finding it hard to look him in the eyes.

"You don't."

She felt a breeze move past them and she felt something in the air, some sense of beauty and relief. "Prove it to me," she whispered to him. "Prove it to me with a promise. With an action."

"Anything," he begged. "I'll do anything just so you can look at me how you once did."

She reached out and took one of his hands in hers. She brought it up to her face, resting his palm against her cheek as she said, "Kill me."

"W–what?" His brows furrowed and his lips parted. "Kill you?"

She nodded, running her fingers over his hand, feeling the way it tensed against her skin. She remembered the way it felt between her legs, on her bare back, getting lost in her hair. "It's the only way to sever the link I have with Esther. It could stop the rot from spreading."

"I can't kill you," he scoffed out, shaking his head and pulling his hand back as he took a step away. "I won't do that–" He met her eyes. "What if you don't come back?"

"It's a risk I have to take," she said with a shrug. "I can't have Esther sharing this power, I can't have her controlling me. She'll–she'll use me to kill you, I just know it."

"I'd rather die myself than you."

"You don't mean that."

"Of course, I do!" he shouted. "I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you were to never come back!"

"Please," she whispered. "I can't ask anyone else."

"Get–get Damon!"

She shook her head. "Klaus, please. I can't keep living like this, with every breath feeling like fucking glass in my lungs and someone tearing up my insides. I can barely stand up straight without my head spinning, I feel like shit, I can't keep down blood or–or food or–" She threw her hands up as she cried, "–or alcohol!" She ran both hands over her head, brushing her hair back. "Sooner or later, I'm going to dry out and I'll die for real. It's either you give me a shit ton of blood and kill me now or I'll be dead in a day, anyway."

"And if I do this? Then what?" He looked back towards the mansion before looking at her once again. "This won't erase all the horrible things you keep bringing up. All the things I've done won't suddenly vanish because I killed you."

"It'll stop your mother from using me to kill you."

"I'd rather you kill me than her," he snarled. "It'd be a better death."

"Death is death," she said. "Whoever does the killing first won't make a difference."

He looked away again, rubbing his jaw. He was looking back at the house with such a strong gaze, she wondered if there was something more pressing waiting for him inside before he spoke in that low smooth voice she always loved. "Let me show you something."

She frowned. "Where?"

He held his hand out. "Come with me, Colette. Just...let me amuse myself, okay?"

She stared at his outstretched hand before nodding slowly, biting her lip as she took his hand in hers.

He took her into a beautiful room, where she let her hand slip away from his. There were large paintings on the walls and she smiled as she approached a study table covered in loose paper and paints. The paintings on the walls were beautiful, elegantly stroked and brushed. The one on the wall before her was of water, a pond to be exact, with lily pads and tall grass.

"Your work gets better and better every time I see it," whispered Colette as she admired his art.

"One of my passions," he said with a small shrug and she felt his eyes on hers as he added, "Well, one of two passions."

"And the other?" she asked, picking up a stray paper with the pencil sketch of a woman with plump cheeks and curling hair.

"You, of course."

She sighed, softly, as she laid the paper back down. "Klaus..."

"How can you ask me to kill something I love?" he asked and her heart fluttered in her chest. "I love you, Colette Copeman, and I can't bring myself to kill you like you're asking."

She picked up the palette knife on the table, hidden under the papers and she held it in front of her and towards him. "If you truly loved me, you'd do this." She took a step towards him, bringing the palette up to her neck. "I can't be someone else's pawn, I can't allow my life to be hers."

He touched her hand, forcing her to lower the knife. "And if you don't come back once I kill you? Then, what? How am I supposed to go on?"

"Exactly how you've been for the century before me."

"There is no one else like you," he breathed. "I've never met another soul on this wretched Earth even similar to you." He peeled the knife from her hand. "I can't let you go, not like this."

"But you'd let someone else do it instead?" she asked, reaching out with her free hand to curl back around the palette's blade. She pressed her hand tightly, feeling the silver cut into her palm. "You'd risk someone else doing it wrong?"

"Damon can do it just fine."

"And if he kills me and I still don't come back?"

"Then your death won't be on my hands."

She scowled, shaking her head, pulling her hand off the blade quickly and feeling it slice a long cut into her skin. She held her hand out in front of him as blood swelled and pooled in the center of her hand. "Look," she snapped, moving her hand closer. "It won't fucking heal, Klaus. If I get killed before...before I do this properly, I'll be dead dead. I won't even have the chance of coming back."

Blood spilled down the sides of her hand and he caught her wrist to keep the blood from spinning down her arm and against her dress.

"It's not special," she whispered as he brought her hand to his chest. "It won't save anyone like you wanted, it won't give you strength or power. I'm...I'm a nobody again."

He took his free hand and touched the side of her face. "You were never a nobody, Colette, darling." He leaned closer, pressing his forehead to hers. "You'd rather me kill you, risk you never coming back, just for freedom? And what of your power?"

"It'll be mine," she told him. "I'll be strong again, I can–I can be of use."

Isn't that what I'm here for? To be used? To be played with?

"You don't need to have powers to be useful," he said. "You're perfect just the way you are and a little magic doesn't change that."

"It's what I want," she whispered, speaking a horrible truth that had been festering within her. If she didn't have power, then what was she? Really? "I want to have my powers. I want to feel flames on my skin and not burn. I want to smell what you're thinking, I want to feel the power you have on my skin. I don't want it stolen from me but if I keep going the way I am, it'll be taken from me, entirely. Your mother will steal the rest of my power and I'll no longer have the chance to fight back. Don't let her take what's mine. Don't let her take me from you." She was drawing on what mattered to him, letting him hear what he wanted.

Could Klaus truly get the job done? Could he take the knife from her and cut her flesh, could he ruin her in a way they both didn't love?

"Tell me you can do this," she breathed, desperate. "Tell me you can save me."

"I–" His free hand danced just before her skin, wanting to touch her face but fighting with himself. "I can't do this to you, I can't see you die–"

"I've already died," she whispered. "This will be a kinder one than I was given before, so please, give this to me."

You can't keep begging for this, little girl. Begging is weakness, begging is succumbing to your fate.

But is it? Is it? Won't this free me just the same?

"I can't," he whispered, finally, shaking his head.

She nodded, pressing her lips together to stop herself from crying and screaming out. She reached up with her clean hand, touching his face and bringing her lips to his cheek. She kissed him there, gently, whispering, "It's okay, it's alright." He shuddered against her and she said again, very softly, "I shouldn't have asked, I'm sorry."

"I wish I could," he told her, meeting her eyes. "But there's something stopping me from hurting you like that." He touched his chest. "I made a vow to never hurt you again and I can't break that, not again."

She nodded, feeling the light scruff underneath her fingers. She felt blood drip from her wounded hand and onto the floor. The wound still hadn't healed.

"Klaus," she whispered, leaning closer and up to his face, "be wary of your mother."

"You've told me this before–"

"I've told Elijah just the same," she said, feeling his breath against her face, "so you have to be careful around her. Be–be cautious of what you drink tonight, just...just know that it could go wrong." His brows furrowed. "I don't know how she'll do it, but she wants you dead, okay? And she'll do anything to get her way, even if she has to kill other people."

"Colette..."

"Do you trust me?"

He nodded and he leaned closer. "Always."

"Then don't trust your mother, not even for a heartbeat."

She took on her toes and pressed her lips to his. He took her by the waist, very gently to pull her closer, and she sighed as he parted his lips. She wanted to take him by the face with her other hand but the blood was still dripping and clotting, her body fighting itself. His tongue met hers and she moaned quietly into his mouth, clutching at his hair with her free hand.

"Colette," he spoke against her lips and she hummed back in response, "please, come back from this." His fingers bunched up the fabric of her dress against her sides and he said in a broken voice that she couldn't have imagined could ever come from him, "I know you love Damon, just as you do me, and I hope when all this settles, we'll have a true chance."

"Klaus," she whispered, brows furrowing as she pulled back to look at him but he shook his head and said, "Don't speak," before pressing his lips back to hers.

It was a long kiss, unbroken even by breath and when he pulled away, her head was spinning. He pressed his forehead against hers, like a goodbye, and in a blink of an eye and the feeling of a breeze against her bare skin, he was gone.

She allowed herself a moment against the counter before stepping away. When she returned to the main foyer, after thirty long minutes of catching her breath and stanching the bleeding in her hand, there had been a toast. She had missed it all, thankfully, but what didn't settle right for her was the sight of the Mikaelson siblings with glasses of pink champagne in their hands.

Her eyes met Esther's as she walked past and towards where she could grab her coat and the older woman gave her a long smile and a short nod. She looked better than she did when Colette opened the coffin, but even still, she looked like a woman hiding something. She was hiding a very big truth behind her beautiful smile and motherly gleam.

Colette narrowed her eyes at the woman and stood by the door, waiting for one of the staff to bring her coat. She gave Esther a slow smile, raising her hand and waving her fingers in her direction as she was handed her coat.

She took a single step outside before she was met with Rebekah, waiting for her. It seemed something had occurred while Colette was lost in thought in Klaus's room. The girl was wrapped up in a long coat with a scowl on her lips.

"At least look like you're happy to see me," murmured Colette was she drew her coat around her body to keep the cold out. Vampires didn't get cold but it seemed that Colette did.

Rebekah sighed, turning her head away and as she did so, the light caught the diamonds across her neck and against her ears. "Kol caused a scene, and hurt Matt."

"Is he okay?" she asked quickly, walking down the steps carefully. Her feet hurt from her heels.

Rebekah nodded. "Might've broken his hand or–or his fingers," she shrugged, "I don't know but Damon stepped in and caused an even bigger scene." Her eyes finally met Cole's as she turned. "It seemed he made sweet Elena disappointed in him, I bet that makes you feel nice and warm inside."

"I'm always warm inside," muttered Cole, rolling her eyes. "Elena is always trying to force Damon into her perfect image, I'm not surprised she's disappointed. She always is."

"You like him, don't you?" They stepped in line together, walking down the driveway towards where Colette would probably rush her way home with the last bout of energy she had.

"Who? Matt?"

"No," she shook her head, "Damon."

Colette crossed her arms as they slowed by the horse drawn carriages the family had set up outside in case one of the lucky couples wanted a midnight stroll. "It's complicated."

Rebekah laughed, softly. "Isn't it always? But...what about me?"

"If you want me," whispered Colette with another faint smile, "you can have me but I don't know how long you'll have me for."

Her brows furrowed. "What does that mean?"

Colette looked at her with a curious gaze. The girl before her was ruthless and at times, rash in her decisions. She was impulsive and rageful and she might be the woman for the job. "What would you say if I asked you to kill me tonight?"

Crossing her arms, Rebekah said, "I'd say you were crazy."

"But would you do it?"

"What for?"

"Because I'm asking you, well, begging."

"Why can't my brother just do it for you?" asked Rebekah with a wave of her hand back towards the home. "Or even Damon?"

"Klaus said no."

"And Damon?"

Colette shifted from foot to foot, feeling a good sense of exhaustion settle over her. It would be a long night for her. "I'm afraid to ask him."

"Afraid he'll say no?"

She shook her head. "Afraid he'll say yes."

"Then why ask me?" she asked with a curious tone. "You think I'll willingly be able to kill you?"

"Honestly?" laughed Colette. "Yeah. I think you will."

Her brows furrowed deeply and she pressed her lips firmly together. "I need a drink first and then...then maybe we'll discuss this more."

Colette held her hand out to the girl and Rebekah regarded her in a warmer light. When she took her hand, Colette said softly, "I'll go wherever you take me."

Rebekah laughed softly. "Don't say things you don't mean, you'll have me tempted to take you up on it." Her hand gripped Cole's tightly. "Do you think you can run?"

Colette glanced down at her heels and shook her head. She didn't want to give up how weak she was, not to her. She liked that Rebekah saw her as an equal, someone just as powerful and worthy so she blamed her exhaustion on her heels.

Rebekah raised her hand towards the valet and one of the men nodded in her direction, making Colette frown. "Where are we even going?"

"Only the best place in town for a proper drink."

The Grill was surprisingly crowded when they entered. Colette kept her coat on as she moved carefully up towards the bar. At the end, sitting in a lone seat, was Matt. Looking over her shoulder towards Rebekah, she motioned with her head towards the boy and the other girl looked hopeful, just for a moment.

Colette stepped aside to let the blonde head up to the boy as she retreated back towards the main floor to give them privacy. She knew she couldn't drink or even stuff her face with leftover fries, so she opted to lean against the wall near the front doors.

She could smell burgers cooking on one of the grills in the kitchen, along with the smell of fries frying in grease. There was a gentle perfume in the air which she concluded to be from Rebekah or the women's restroom. But there was a hint of something familiar, one that was followed by the smell of bourbon.

It wasn't hard to find Damon amongst the late crowd of people fiending for a drink or a date or even a night out of the house, especially after such a lavish party. The Salvatore was finding himself a seat at the very end of the bar, opposite Matt and Rebekah, who's conversation didn't seem to be going all too well. Damon clutched at a bottle, drinking straight from it every moment of so and Colette allowed herself to push away from the comfort of the wall to approach him.

She took the seat next to him, speaking softly just for him, "Want to tell me why you're here drowning in–what is that? The cheapest bottle they got?"

He took a long swig before he spoke in a husky tone. "There's no way to win her over."

"Who?" She frowned. "Elena?"

He nodded back with a scowl. "I'm a liability with her. I care too much and that makes me impulsive, untrustworthy–" He shook his head, his hand tightening around the bottle. "Haven't I proven myself enough to her? Haven't I done everything for her, this whole time?"

"She doesn't understand–"

"No, no, I think she does," he spat back. "I think she's been using the fact that I care to get what she wants. She wants Stefan back, she wants Klaus gone, she wants and she wants but don't I deserve to get what I want?"

"What do you want?"

He rubbed his mouth. "To not care about her. I can't handle the constant disappointment in her eyes anymore, I can't keep doing this."

"Then stop," she whispered back and he turned his head, raising a brow. "You don't have to keep being her dog, you can step away. I'm not saying you stop helping her because let's be fair, you're always gonna go back to her but you don't have to do all this in hopes she's gonna love you, you know?"

"But isn't that the point?"

"Maybe one day she'll love you," she said with a shrug, feeling her heart whisper to her for this to never occur, for Elena to never reciprocate anything Damon feels. "Maybe she'll go back to Stefan, you just don't know." She reached out, taking the bottle from him. "But for now, just see if she comes to you? I don't know, Damon, I just think drowning your demons isn't the best option right now."

"And why is that?"

"Because she's not worth the pain and trouble."

She played with the bottle in her hands as he shifted in his seat to place a hand on the back of her chair. He eyed the girl behind Colette on the opposite end of the bar before looking back at her. "Care to explain why you're here with the vampire princess?"

"She's going to do something for me tonight," said Colette, setting the bottle on the counter to look at him, her hands folded in her lap.

"Does this have anything to do with the fact that you disappeared for most of the night tonight?"

"Maybe."

"And anything to do with Naya lurking around watching all night, too?"

"Maybe."

Damon sighed, rubbing his forehead. "And does it have anything to do with the fact that we both know the only way to save you is to kill you?" When she didn't say anything, he continued with, "I was hoping none of it was true, that everything I read was just fake but Naya confirmed my suspicions."

Her brows furrowed. When did Naya speak to him? "She did?"

He nodded. "Between dancing and when Stefan snapped my back in half."

Her eyes widened and her hand went to her mouth to stifle her shocked laugh. "He did what?"

"Yeah," scoffed Damon, reaching for the bottle and she let him take it. He took a long pull from the bourbon before wiping his lips and speaking again. "Elena trusted the oh so uncaring Stefan enough to use him against me so she could meet with Esther alone."

"Not surprised," she said back with a sigh. "Esther did want to meet with her alone, you know you would've ruined whatever scheme the lady was planning."

"I know, but–"

"But nothing," chuckled Colette, rolling her eyes. "It's done, it's over with. There's nothing we can do to change it now."

"Doesn't mean I'm still not pissed."

She shrugged. "I'd be pissed, too, but why dwell on that shit any longer than necessary?"

"Fair," he muttered, "but I get to be pissed until I finish the bottle and then..." He trailed off, his eyes focusing on the drink in his hands and she raised a brow, nudging him. He sighed softly and finished his thought, "...then we kill you."

Her brows raised, shock pulsing in her chest. "You'll do that for me?"

"Better me than her," he said, eyeing Rebekah who was now on her way over to them. "Don't want her to do it wrong and accidentally kill you forever, do we?"

"As if I'd mess it up," said Rebekah, taking the open seat by Colette. "By the looks of it, I'll have the steadier hand out of the two of us anyway."

Colette smiled softly before recognizing the look on Bekah's face. "What happened with Matt?" she asked softly and Rebekah scowled.

"I should have just killed him," she said back, grabbing the bottle from Damon. "But, of course, I couldn't go against mother's wishes."

Damon shrugged. "I don't think you could've handled him anyway," he said and Rebekah's eyes shot up to him. "You would've broken him."

"He'll see what he's missing soon enough," said Colette. "Give him time to buff up and understand what he just walked out on."

"Maybe you're both right," she said back with a sigh, "but doesn't mean I have to like it for now." She reached out and took Colette's hand in hers. "Only good thing out of this is that I'm upset enough to truly do what you've asked."

"You're not alone in that," muttered Damon with a sad smile. "You've got us just where you want us, Colette. We're yours for the night."

"Too bad it's not in the way we both know you want," said Rebekah with a gleam in her eyes.

Too bad it's all going to end.

AUTHOR'S NOTE━━ok so.....another long one omg!!! sorry it took me forever to get this written i just kept writing and stopping bc idk if i wanted to legit end this whole book on this chapter and have the next be an epilogue or continue.....

obvi i've decided to continue bc i forgot how lit the end of season 3 is so....we'll see if i can make it to the end bc i had suchhhh a good ending for this chapter but there r so many relationships not fleshed out to their fullest yet so i cant leave yall hanging.....not yet at least

how we feel about all the different dynamics in this chap?!!? we got klaus/colette moments, rebekah/cole, damon/cole, a little naya/cole powwow in the bathroom, and even some kol/cole and elijah/cole......

colette just loves flirting w everyone at this point oops

vote/comment my loves!!!!! and dont b a ghost reader <333