CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE: Katerina Petrova
WARNINGS: mentioned suicide, violence, forced suicide, murder (just a lil neck snapping), mention of attempted suicide, damon, stefan, mention of past murder of a child, mentions of slaughter of children and parents

DAMON OPENS UP THE FRONT DOOR, smiling at Elena. She hesitantly smiled back. "Good morning, Elena," he greeted.

"Morning, Damon," she greeted back. "Is Stefan here? He called, said it was important."

Damon stepped out of the way, letting her in. "Right this way." He closed the door behind her.

"Hey," Stefan said.

Elena gave him a nod. "What is this about?"

He turned, stepping out of the way. Rose stepped into the hallway hesitantly, watching Elena carefully. Elena's heart picked up speed, just a bit.

"You," she said. She looked at Stefan in betrayal. He gave her a nod, giving her a 'let her explain' look. Elena frowned and looked back at Rose, nodding. 

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"OKAY, YOU HAVE to understand I only know what I've picked up over the years," Rose said, "and I–I don't know what's true and what's not true." She was pacing in front of the fireplace while Elena sat on the couch. "That's the problem with all this vampire crap. But Klaus, I know is real."

Elena shifted a bit. "Who is he?" She asked, confused.

"He's one of the originals," Damon replied, "he's a legend."

"He's one of the first generation of vampires," Stefan added.

"Like Elijah?"

"No," Rose shook her head, "Elijah was the Easter Bunny compared to Klaus. He's a foot soldier. Klaus is the real deal."

"Klaus is known to be the oldest," Stefan explains.

Elena raised her hand, confused. "Okay, so you're saying that the oldest vampire in the history of time is coming after me?"

"Yes," Rose smiled.

"No," Stefan denied at the same time. He sighed, glancing at Rose.

"What they're saying is... if what she's saying is true—"

"—Which it is."

"—And you're not just saying it so we don't kill you," Damon finished, glaring at Rose slightly.

"Which I'm not."

"Then we're looking at a solid maybe."

"Look, Elijah's dead, right?" Stefan said, standing up and walking toward Elena. "So no one else even knows that you exist."

"That's not true," Rose argued and they all looked at her. "Klaus knows she exists. I'm sure of it."

Damon frowned, confused. He looked at her, "how sure are you?"

"100 percent," she replied. She looked around the house, and listened closely. The boys had already told her that Athena didn't live there, but she just had to make sure. "Athena doesn't keep secrets. Not from him. She is his most loyal foot soldier. She'd do anything to make him free."

Elena frowned. Foot soldier? If Klaus was the oldest vampire then how old was he exactly? Athena is 1000 years old. More even. There was no way that Athena would be a foot soldier... right? If anything Klaus would probably be hers with the way she handled Elijah who had to be older than Rose and Trevor to have them so scared.

"Athena?" Stefan asked, confused, "what do you mean? My sister does not work for some ancient vampire."

Rose shook her head. Of course, they wouldn't know. They weren't even a thought when Rose had met Athena for the first time.

"The man in the woods," Damon muttered.

Everyone looked at him. "What?" Rose asked.

Damon shook his head. "Uh, back when we were kids... Athena said there was a man in the woods. One she used to talk to all the time. She said he was one of the most handsome men she's ever met. He said that he was very old—older than her mind could comprehend. She told me that he never grew old, he always looked handsome." He met Elena's eyes. The doppelganger looked extremely pale. "If that was this Klaus... then, yes... I think Rose is right about Athena."

"Wait, wait, wait," Stefan cut in, waving his hand around, "I've never even met anyone who's laid eyes on him. I mean, we're talking centuries of truth mixed with fiction. I mean, we don't know what's real." He turns to Elena, "for all we know, he could just be some sort of some stupid bedtime story."

"He's real!" Rose argued moving into Elena's line of sight, "and he doesn't give up. If he wants something, he gets it. If you're not afraid of Klaus, then you're an idiot."

"Alright, we're shaking. You've made your point," Damon cut in, looking unimpressed with this whole thing.

Elena slides her bag over her shoulder. She had things to think about. "Where you going?" Stefan asked, watching her.

"Uh, school. I'm late," she replied.

Stefan got up, "let me, uh, let me grab my stuff. I'll go with you."

Elena didn't meet his eyes. "That's okay," she said, nodding her head, "I know where it is." Stefan nodded in return, sighing a bit. She walked away, shooting Damon a small wave on the way out.

Damon looked over at Rose. "He's in denial," he said to her, smirking a bit.

Stefan turned and Damon's face smoothened out. "Shut up, Damon," he said. Rose scoffed a bit while Damon's face screwed up.

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"TELL EVERYONE I wasn't feeling well and I went home from school," Elena told Caroline who was following her. They were headed to the tomb.

"I can't believe I'm agreeing to this," Caroline muttered, glancing around.

"You kinda owe me. I mean, you did know I was going to be sacrificed," Elena shot back and Caroline groaned a bit.

"I just want to make it clear that I did want to tell you. We all did, actually. We just wanted to give you something to back it up. You know, so you don't actually die!" Caroline frowned.

"Why were you guys even talking about sacrificing me, huh?" Elena turned to look at her friend, pausing in her steps.

Caroline stopped too. She said nothing. Her girlfriend didn't want Elena to know that she was dying, which Caroline understands, but they were already in this mess in the first place 'cause they all lied.

"We weren't talking about sacrificing you," Caroline argued, "Elena, none of us want you to die. We all love you. You're my best friend."

Elena sighed and continued on. Caroline sighed as well and grabbed the bag from her friend since Elena was struggling. "Thanks," Elena muttered and Caroline nodded. "Just... keep Stefan busy. I don't want him to know what I'm up to."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Caroline asked, "I mean... this will be your first-time one-on-one with her."

"I need... I want answers, okay? I'm tired of not knowing." Caroline sighed but nodded. "Thank you. So you'll keep Stefan occupied?"

Caroline groaned. "Fine! Can I mess with him a bit?" She asked and Elena laughed a little.

"Whatever you want, Care."

"Yay!"

They headed down into the chamber that led to the tomb. Caroline handed the bag to Elena and headed over to the door. She pulled it open and quickly stepped away from it, not wanting to get trapped in there.

"Are you absolutely sure you wanna do this?" Caroline asked again, "'cause it's completely okay to back out."

"Caroline, I'm sure," Elena sighed, giving her friend a small smile. "I don't know if I can trust Athena to give me the answers about Klaus... but who knows... maybe I can trust Katherine."

Caroline shifted uncomfortably. She nodded in understanding. "Just a quick question then I'll forget you were ever here," she said and Elena nodded, heading toward the tomb. "Why can you forgive me, Hayley, Bianca, and Jenna so quick, but not Lorelei? I guess I get Athena and she's totally okay with whatever you're feeling—both of them are, I just... Why not Lorelei?"

Elena didn't meet Caroline's eyes, stepping into the tomb and setting down the bag. "I don't know, I'm just... there's a lot of stuff going on in my head right now," she replied. Caroline raised an eyebrow. "She acted like my friend, she made me... care for her only to—" She stopped and shook her head.

Caroline hummed. "Alright," she said.

Elena cleared her throat, looking away from her friend's knowing eyes. "I'll be okay from here," she told the blonde.

Caroline nodded. "Okay... just be careful. I'll see you later. If you need anything, call me." Elena nodded back. Caroline disappeared and Elena was left alone.

The brunette swallowed and took a deep breath.

"If you asked for her... she will come"

"Who?"

"You know who."

Elena exhaled. "Katherine," she called. She listened for a minute, waiting for something to happen. When nothing did, she opened her mouth to call the woman's name again only to freeze when the woman appeared in front of her.

She stayed about five inches away from the tomb door, her hair back to its curls. "Hello, Elena," she said.

Elena swallowed. "H–Hi," she stammered.

"Does Stefan know you're here?" Katherine asked, placing her hands behind her back and watching the girl curiously. Obviously, Elena was keeping herself in the tomb as protection. She knows Katherine won't trap herself.

Elena shook her head. "Only Caroline," she admitted.

Katherine nodded. "What can I do for you, Elena?"

"I have some things for you," Elena said, kneeling next to the bag and opening it up.

Katherine cocked an eyebrow. "You called me here to bribe me?" She wondered, confused.

Elena took out a bottle of blood, standing up and holding it out. "More like a peace offering. Not a bribe," she corrected.

Katherine's eyebrows both raised. "You don't need either," she admitted but took the bottle of blood, "thank you. What would you like to know?"

"I want you to tell me about Klaus," Elena replied.

Katherine smirked a bit. "Hmm, so Athena told you?" She asked, tilting her head. She felt relieved. That means Athena found a way to keep herself and Elena alive.

Elena frowned, shaking her head. "No... I got... I was taken the night of the Masquerade party. I spent all yesterday held up in some random house in the middle of nowhere in Redfield. I met Elijah," she explained.

Katherine's face paled a little, her eyes growing distant. She had loved that man once upon a time. Before everything. Before she knew everything he had done. "You met Elijah?" She repeated.

Elena nodded. "He tried to take me away. Athena, Lorelei, Stefan, and Damon showed up to get me back. Athena killed him so you don't have to look so worried," she said.

Katherine's mouth screwed up. Elijah definitely was not dead. "Okay," she nodded.

Elena pulled out a book, holding it up to the woman who shifted a bit when she saw the name plastered on it. "I also brought this... It's your family history. It says in here that the family line ended with you," Elena said as she looked down at the book. She then met Katherine's eyes. "Obviously that's not true."

Katherine twisted the bottle in her hands. "So... you wish to know about me and Klaus?" Elena nodded. "Why? I thought you hated me. Given all the things the Salvatores whispered into your ear."

Elena frowned a bit. "Athena said you are her friend. You two care for each other... I can see it. You're obviously not who you say you are. You haven't tried to kill me despite having plenty of times to do it."

Katherine raised an eyebrow, humming under her breath. "So, you don't think I'm truly as evil as people say?" She smirked.

"Oh, no, I believe you are. Just not with the people you care about and for some reason, you care about me," Elena smirked back.

Katherine narrowed her eyes slightly. "And yet you're in the tomb and I'm out here," she said.

Elena shrugged, "can never be too careful, right?"

Katherine smirked once more, tilting her head. "You certainly are a Petrova, aren't you?" Then she sat down elegantly. Elena did the same. "It's a long story. Klaus and I," she began, "goes all the way back to England, 1492 after I left Bulgaria. Or, I suppose the correct term is, thrown out."

Elena's brows furrowed. "Thrown out?" She repeated.

"My family," she sighed, "your true ancestors... they disowned me. My indiscretions were not tolerated at that time. I had a baby out of wedlock. The shame," she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes a bit as she thought back to that time.

"It was kept secret?"

Katherine nodded, "mhm. My baby was given away. Nobody knew and I kept it that way until I met... a woman. She's the only one who knew. It became a secret to keep the next doppelganger safe after that. I was banished to England and I had to learn to adjust. So I quickly became English. It was there that I caught the eye of a nobleman named Klaus. I was taken with him at first until I found out what he was and what he wanted from me. And then I ran like hell."

"So," Elena tilted her head, her brows furrowed, "what did Klaus want?"

"Same thing that he'll want from you," Katherine replied with a shrug, "he wants to break the curse."

"By sacrificing the Petrova doppelganger," Elena finished.

Katherine tapped her nose, smiling at the girl. Elena frowned a bit, her head hurting and flashes, going by too quickly in her mind to comprehend. To make sense of. She blinked and it was gone, Katherine was taking a sip of the blood.

"He wanted to drain every single drop of blood from my body," Katherine explained. "Athena..." she smiled a bit, "he's doing all of it for her. He couldn't care less about breaking the curse for himself... he's doing it for Athena. He introduced me to her after about three days of knowing him. I was instantly absorbed in her. Not in... a romantic way. She was just captivating and kind and she knew what it was like to be a woman during that time. She was my best friend... until I found out what was going on."

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ATHENA WATCHED HER phone ring one more time. She's been staring at it for the better part of an hour. It keeps ringing, the person on the end not giving up. At the fiftieth call, Athena picks it up and places the phone to her ear.

"You're very annoying," she says, rubbing her eyebrow.

"Same could be said about you. Putting a coat rack through my heart."

Athena hummed, disinterested. "What do you want, dear brother?" She asked.

"I would like for you to meet me. I surmise we have things to talk about."

Athena rubbed her temple. "Elijah, you're lucky sticking a coat rack through your heart was the only thing I did. We are not talking about her, I won't let you near her again."

Elijah sighed on the other end of the phone. "Of course. Then let's just catch up, shall we? It has been more than two decades."

"Will you leave me alone if I do?" Athena sighed, her eyes closed as she tapped her fingers against the couch.

Elijah laughed and Athena could practically hear the smirk in his voice. "If you wish to be unbothered for a century I will have it done. Just come have lunch with me."

Athena grunted. "Fine. Where?" 

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"WHAT DOES THE Petrova bloodline have to do with Klaus?" Elena asked, leaning against the wall.

Katherine looked up at the ceiling, recalling the story Athena told her. "The curse was bound by the sacrifice of Petrova blood," she said, "witches are crafty with their spells. Though this particular witch didn't want to have to bind him. The doppelganger was created as a way to be able to undo the spell. At least... that's what most believe."

Elena frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"

"I'm not the first Petrova doppelganger and neither are you. There was one before us that's been... documented. Her name was Tatia. Athena told me she was Klaus' first love. Tatia was a descendant of our very, very early ancestor... Amara. Athena's kind of a history buff so she found everything there was to know about witches that there was, that's how I know," Katherine explained.

"But... but why are there doppelgangers? Why did Amara create us?" Elena asked, tilting her head.

Katherine gave her a small smile. "She didn't. Nature needed to find a balance... so when Amara didn't die... a doppelganger needed to be created, one that would live and die in her place. To restore the balance of life and death."

Elena's eyes widened, her eyebrows raised so high. "So... Amara was the first vampire?"

Katherine shook her head. "No, the vampire curse was created by Klaus' mother. Amara was the first immortal woman. Coincidentally, the one who created the immortality elixir that she drank was none other than a Bennett witch."

Elena's eyes widened even more if that was possible. "What?"

Katherine laughed a little at her expression. "Amara was in love with a man named Silas who was the first immortal man. Silas was with Qetsiyah, the Bennett witch, but he didn't love her. He loved Amara. So, he tricked Qetsiyah into making an immortality elixir for him, leading her to believe that he wanted to spend an eternity with her. Instead, Silas and Amara took the elixir together and Qetsiyah put a curse on them. I liked that part of it. Athena liked it too."

Elena's mouth dropped open, blinking at the woman in front of her. Katherine snorted, finding the girl amusing. "Wait, so there's another doppelganger? One for the man?"

Katherine's face darkened a little. "Unfortunately," she replied.

"Who is it? Do you know?" Elena asked eagerly.

Katherine glanced at her, nodding slowly. "I don't particularly want to tell you," she said.

Elena pouted, "what? Why?"

"I don't want you to feel obligated to do anything if you know," Katherine replied, "just like I did." Elena frowned, confused.

"Is it Klaus?"

Katherine shook her head. She looked away from the girl. "Once the doppelganger reappeared," she glanced at Elena, "the curse can be broken."

"So you ran before Klaus killed you," Elena said.

"Mm, something like that," Katherine shrugged.

"Wait—Athena, the night of the Masquerade ball, when you came out to help me... she said that it took a lot of convincing to let you go. She helped you escape?" Elena asked, tilting her head, "why would she do that if she wanted Klaus to do the ritual for her?"

Katherine tilted her head. "I don't think I explained enough. Athena and Klaus are both bound. Athena needs to do the ritual as well. It's not just Klaus. That is why Klaus wishes to break the curse, to make sure Athena stays with him. Forever."

Elena's eyes widen slightly. "Athena's... she's..."

"His twin sister," Katherine nodded, "and she's given me full permission to tell you this, by the way. I wouldn't be if she had said no."

Elena blinked, surprised at that. Athena was letting Katherine tell her about her and Klaus? About the ritual? "So... so that's why Athena... she became friends with me?" She frowned, hurt. She felt like crying actually. Lorelei was Athena's daughter, she knew that Elena would die at one point. Lorelei only became her friend to make sure she didn't run away or–or die? Elena hoped that wasn't true.

Katherine shook her head, looking at the wall in front of her. "I think Athena genuinely cares for you. As she did for me. But it's... different. You mean a lot to Caroline and Lorelei and Jenna... she won't ever do anything to hurt them. You two are alike in that department. Giving things up for the people you love, even if it means dying."

Elena blushed a bit, looking down. "I already lost my parents... I don't wanna lose anyone else," she muttered. Since she was looking down, she missed the way Katherine flinched at the word 'parents'. Elena looked back up at Katherine, "so what happened between you and Klaus then?" 

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ELIJAH AND ATHENA walked arm-in-arm down the sidewalk. They had their lunch, mostly in silence other than the greetings and ordering the food. Elijah didn't ask about Lorelei and Athena didn't tell him anything. He was anything if not patient.

"How are you feeling?" Elijah asked as he looked around at the people they were passing by.

"Full," Athena replied, waving to a little girl who passed by her. The little girl beamed and waved back.

Elijah sighed and tugged her arm gently, nudging her with his shoulder. "Don't play games, little sister. You know what I'm asking," he said.

"Mm," Athena tilted her head, "I wasn't aware you cared. You know, considering you shoved a sword through my son's heart."

Elijah's nose twitched. "That was almost 1000 years ago. And I've apologized. A lot."

"Not gonna bring him back, now, is it?"

Elijah hummed, tilting his head. "Touche, Lilly." He set his free hand on hers, squeezing it gently. Their fingers locked. "You know I am truly sorry about that, don't you?"

Athena turned to look at him, meeting his eyes. "I know," she nodded.

"I take responsibility. I did... do it. But I was manipulated quite a bit. Like our baby sister was by the ratchet hunter," he said.

Athena hummed. "I suppose that is true. Vincent was always quite the master manipulator. He beat me and Klaus."

Elijah laughed at that, shaking his head. "He was a terrible man who you had fooled you into thinking he was great. I'm just glad none of his corruption touched Bianca," he said.

Athena nodded in agreement with that. "You know, if you truly want my forgiveness about that event... you'll have to make it up to my daughter. You did kill her first love."

Elijah grimaced a little. "She's a spitfire. I think I'd rather you just beat me to death than go one-on-one with her," he said. Athena laughed, leaning into her big brother. "Now, seriously, how are you?"

Athena's face smoothened out, sighing heavily. "I am... alright. I do not have a year left," she admitted.

Elijah frowned deeply. He thought they had longer than that. Though, she was 170. He sighed. "Well, I suppose we're going to have to do the ritual quickly then, huh?" Athena didn't respond, frowning a bit. Elijah raised an eyebrow, looking at her. "What is it?"

"I... won't be going through with it unless I can find a way for Elena to survive," she explained.

Elijah paused in his step. "The doppelganger? Athena Lilith Castillo. I thought you weren't going to do this again," he sighed heavily, disappointed.

Athena stared at him and Elijah realized why she truly wasn't going to do anything unless they found a way to save the girl.

"You are a fantastic mother. Have I ever told you that?" Elijah asked as they continued walking.

"No," Athena deadpanned, "not even once."

"Oh. Well, you're a fantastic mother. There, twice," Elijah smiled.

Athena rolled her eyes, flicking Elijah's forehead. 

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"ROSE NEVER ENDED up taking you back to Klaus, did she?" Elena asked, her knees pulled up to her chest as she looked at the woman.

"No," Katherine replied, "but not because she had a change of heart." She crossed her leg over her right, rolling her shoulders a bit. "I had tried to kill myself with a dagger I found in the room she locked me in. I told her it was from the woods, but she didn't believe me. She forced her blood down my throat to heal me. Then Trevor got back. Rose went to smack some sense into him and I... I took the rope Rose was going to use to tie me up."

Katherine looked away from Elena, her eyes sad and distant.

"I hung myself. I didn't want to die at the hands of Klaus. I didn't want to be used. So I made sure he couldn't."

Elena's eyes widened, sitting up more. "You killed yourself?"

Katherine shrugged. "Klaus needed a human doppelganger. As a vampire, I was no longer any use to him."

"But it didn't work," Elena said, piecing everything together. "You didn't really escape. You've been running from Klaus ever since."

"I underestimated his spirit for vengeance. And overestimated his whipped-ness for Athena. She is his conscience. She is his life. They are two sides of the same coin. She's his morality. If anyone could get Klaus off my back, it's her. And she did, for centuries, but at some point, he'll truly look for me and kill me. But living out of a suitcase is better than dying so that you could have your blood spilled over some silly little rock."

Elena shifted uncomfortably. That was going to be her fate.

"There's... a way to get out of it," Katherine said and Elena looked over at her. Katherine dug her fingernail into her wrist, producing the smallest amount of blood.

Elena felt her chest seize up. The wound healed and Elena felt like she could breathe again. "I don't..."

Katherine nodded in understanding, "okay. Well, I chose that choice. I used Trevor to help me run and... I didn't really need Rose's blood. Athena had given me some of hers, which I took before I hung the rope 'cause if I was to be sired to anyone, I'd want it to be her sire line and all."

Elena stared out in front of her. "So Rose and Trevor spent the last 500 years running because you used them. Trevor just got killed."

"If I'm being honest, I didn't think he would last this long," Katherine admitted.

"You don't even care that you ruined their lives," Elena said, staring at her in shock.

Katherine sighed and met the girl's eyes. "I was looking out for myself, Elena. I will always look out for myself."

Elena glared at her, "but that's not true, is it? You came back here, knowing Athena was here and Klaus was probably right behind. You're trying to protect me!"

Katherine didn't respond.

"Why?" Elena demanded.

Katherine stood up. "I think story time is done for today."

"Katherine," Elena argued, shooting up and grabbing the woman's arm. The vampire paused, her eyes shooting down to the hand wrapped around her arm. Then she looked up and met Elena's eyes. "Why do you care about me?"

"Ask me another question. Anything but that," Katherine deflected, turning away.

Elena huffed, letting go of her arm. 

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CAROLINE SHOVED A forkful of salad into her mouth, sitting across from Stefan. They were at the Mystic Grill. Stefan sighed, putting his linked hands on the table.

"Sorry to drag you here," she said with a fake apologetic look, "but if I don't eat I get those killing-some-people urges. Tyler totally has those too, by the way."

"Yeah, what else did you say to him?" Stefan asked, brows furrowed. He was kinda confused as to why Caroline was telling him this at all. The last time he checked, she didn't particularly like him.

"Not much. I was trying to keep the questions to a minimum," she shrugged. Stefan shifted a bit, putting his face in his hands. "Are you mad?"

"Yes, Caroline," he groaned, "as a matter of fact, I am a little mad. I mean, you put yourself at risk. If Damon finds out—"

"He's probably gonna groan and tell me I'm stupid. He won't do anything. He's already like a walking puppy around me," Caroline waved off.

Stefan watched her for a moment. "You know... you remind me a lot of Lexi," he said, his voice sad, but also nostalgic.

Caroline's fork almost went through the plate, the statement catching her off guard. The fork bent in her hand and she swallowed. "Lexi," Caroline repeated.

Stefan sighed. "I gotta go—"

Caroline shook herself out of her daze. "Wait, no. Um... what do we do about Tyler? I mean, I know Athena won't do anything to him and I know you won't, but Damon? He's kind of a wild card. He killed Mason and I really don't want him to kill Tyler. There's a full moon coming up and Tyler's totally freaking out about it."

Stefan sighed and leaned back in his seat, thinking. 

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"WOULD YOU LIKE to do something fun?" Elijah asked his sister as they slowly came to a familiar place where the two people he was looking for were.

"You and my ideas of fun are very different, 'Lijah," Athena said, her hands stuffed in her pockets. "Like reading books with Niklaus."

"Oh, you like to read books with Niklaus and I. It strengthens the mind," he argues, grinning. Athena rolled her eyes.

"You know, with your accent, when you say Niklaus it sounds different. You usually drag it out. Neeklaus," Athena smirked, "what is with the accent?"

Elijah raised an eyebrow. "I guess I've spent too long in America," he shrugged, "why is yours so thick? Haven't you been living here for a couple of years?"

"Only one and a half," Athena corrected, "I've been in London for a while. With Niklaus."

"Ah. Before or after he went to Greece?"

"How do you know he went to Greece?"

"We met up there. I ran into him actually. He was mumbling crazily to himself. Why was he in Greece?" He tilted his head.

Athena shrugged, "probably doing something for the Gods. Now, what is this fun thing?"

Elijah smirked, stopping in front of a man playing the guitar. He unhooked himself from his sister and reached for his wallet. He pulled out a hundred and tossed it in. Then he scooped up the change, stuffing his wallet back into his suit.

He weighed it in his hand and then turned to Athena, a smirk on his face. "Elijah," Athena sighed.

"Aw, come on. Humor your big brother," Elijah wished, holding them out to her. She sighed and held out her hand. He dropped them into it. He then pointed to the window he wanted her to throw them in.

She followed his gaze. "Really?" She deadpanned, side-eyeing her big brother.

He shrugged. "What? He's made your life miserable. I deserve to see him pay for it," he dismissed.

Athena gave him a dry look. "You've made my life miserable too."

"I'm your big brother," he argued. Athena continued to stare at him with that same dry look. "Oh, would you just throw the damn coins, Lilly?"

Athena snorted, "you're so bloody bossy."

"Coming from you?!" Elijah gasped. Athena raised her arm a bit, her hand clenched in a fist. Elijah flinched away. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he laughed. 

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

"SO, YOUR STORY is all true, right?" Elena asked Katherine. She had come out of the tomb when she realized that Katherine actually was not going to hurt her.

"I have no reason to lie to you, Elena," Katherine sighed.

"Okay, so if it's all true then that's the reason you came back, right? Because you wanted to be the one to hand me over to Klaus," Elena summed up.

"No, what?" Katherine waved her hands around, "no. Why the hell would I be going against my best friend to get the moonstone back if I wanted to hand you to them?"

"Well, I don't know! You're not telling me why you care about so why should I believe you actually do? Maybe all of you are trying to just—just pretend to be my friend only to kill me and use me and—and—"

Katherine appeared in front of her, grabbing Elena's shoulders. "Breathe. In, 1, 2, 3. Hold, 1, 2. Out, 1, 2, 3, 4." Elena closed her eyes, her breathing going back to normal.

"How did you know... How did you..." Elena stared at Katherine with slight shock and confusion.

Katherine let her go, stepping back. "You are not the only piece of the ritual," the vampire changed the subject.

Elena frowned, but let it happen. "Right, the moonstone," she nodded. Katherine raised an eyebrow. "Mason Lockwood, you had him get you the moonstone. Then he died, but then you had Tyler trigger his curse—"

"I didn't, no. Claire did. I don't know what that bitch is up to, but it's nothing good. I did bring Mason Lockwood here though, yes."

"So... the doppelganger, a werewolf, and a moonstone," Elena counted off.

Katherine nodded. "Witches and their spells. So many ingredients, so many people to sacrifice."

"So, Atty needs a werewolf," Elena concluded.

"Believe it or not, they're hard to come by. Most of them are hiding nowadays. There's plenty out in the world, but they've all gotten very good at avoiding their predators," Katherine shrugged.

"What else?" Elena asked.

"A witch to do the spell," she replied, "which'll probably be me."

"What else?"

"Vampire," Katherine said, "which is more likely to be the place I take."

"So you are a witch," Elena said, crossing her arms and staring at the woman who picked up the bottle of blood and finished it off.

"I'm... something," Katherine said, waving her hand.

Elena frowned. 

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

"CAN WE STOP the curse from being broken at all?" Athena and Elijah both listened in on the conversation happening between the three people inside. Damon, Rose, and a vampire named Slater.

"I thought you had your boys on a tight leash," Elijah said, looking over at Athena.

The redhead tilted her head. "Eh, more like a leash with a knot somewhere far away from their neck. I'm not allowed to kill them."

"And why is that? Last I checked, you didn't listen to anybody." Athena didn't respond, but Elijah saw the glint in her eyes. His eyes widened slightly, his mouth dropping open. "You met your match," he said in awe.

"Matches," Athena corrected.

"You think I'm gonna help you figure out how to do something that would piss off an original? And keep me from walking in the sun?" Slater asked.

"You wanna walk in the sun? Well, I can make that happen, if you help us," Damon said.

"Now," Elijah said.

Athena pulled her arm back and tossed the coins through the window, shattering the glass on impact. Screams echoed from the place, all the vampires burning up inside.

"Now, how fun was that?"

"Sod off."

Elijah and Athena watched the chaos happen for a moment before they disappeared.

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

ELENA RAN HER fingers through her hair, sighing. She and Katherine have been silent for the last ten minutes. Elena was trying to make sense of everything in her head, Katherine was letting her and rummaging around in the bag Elena brought.

"Elena," a voice said. The doppelganger's head snapped up and toward the entrance where her ex-boyfriend was.

"Stefan," she said, surprised, "what are you doing here?"

Stefan rushed to her, looking over at Katherine who was watching them closely. "I could ask you the same question," he said quietly to her, grabbing her arms.

"Mm, Stefan is here to save the day. Like always," Katherine said sarcastically.

Elena glanced over at her. Stefan glared at Katherine, annoyed. "Caroline told you?" Elena asked, getting Stefan's attention.

"No, she kept your secret, but it didn't take long for me to figure out what was so important that you'd keep it from me," he said, hurt on his face.

Katherine rolled her eyes. "Aren't you broken up? She doesn't need to tell you everything she does," she said, annoyed.

"Katherine," Elena warned and the woman held her hands up in surrender. Elena turned back to Stefan, "I knew that you'd stop me."

"Listen to me," Stefan shook his head, "whatever she said to you is a lie. Do not listen to her. She is a liar, Elena."

Katherine raised a hand, "I'm right here," she pointed to herself.

"I don't think she's lying," Elena said, gesturing to Katherine, "you didn't hear what she said."

Stefan shook his head again, his eyes soft. "You don't have to worry. I'm not gonna let anything happen to you."

Katherine scoffed, shaking her head. Elena stepped away from Stefan, rubbing her forehead. "That's the problem, Stefan. You won't. But you'll die trying. How is that any better?"

"There's nothing you can do, Stefan," Katherine spoke up, "you're not going to do anything actually. My family died, was murdered by Klaus—well, my parents were. Claire killed my siblings—because I killed myself. I have no family left. I can die stopping Klaus, but you will be of no use."

"Wait, Claire?" Elena asked, stepping closer to her, "she killed your siblings?"

Katherine nodded. "I was too close to... you know who. She got pissed. Murdered them in cold blood. Let me believe Klaus killed them. He told me sometime later that he never touched 'em. He doesn't kill children." She waved her hand. He had a soft spot for children ever since Kingston and Bianca came into his life.

"Aren't I a child?" Elena deadpanned.

"He's on a time crunch this time. Also, you're almost 18," Katherine said, blinking back at her.

Elena threw her hands up. "Still a child," she grumbled.

"Look, the only people who would probably really die are me, Stefan, and Damon. Who cares about us anyway," Katherine said, waving her hand.

"No," Stefan turned Elena away from Katherine, "do not listen to her, okay?"

Katherine rolled her eyes. "Always the protector," she mocked. She looked directly at Elena. "Story time is over, for real this time, Elena. You know what to do if you need me." She moved to leave but Stefan appeared in front of her.

"You're not getting close to her again," Stefan spat, glaring at her. Katherine groaned a little, annoyed. "You're a manipulative, psychotic bitch. You're so full of shit. You've been spinning lies to her all afternoon."

"Stefan!" Elena exclaimed.

Katherine shook her head. "Move," she said.

"You're going to tell Elena that everything you said was a lie and then I'll let you leave."

"Let me?" Katherine smirked a little bit, stepping closer to him, "I have 500 years on you, little boy. You're not letting me do anything."

Stefan snarled and tackled her, or well, tried to. Katherine just stumbled backward, throwing him off of her and into the wall. He groaned as he landed on the ground. Elena stared at the two of them in shock, unsure of what to do.

Stefan shot at her again but Katherine easily side-stepped, grabbing his arm and yanking it behind him. He cried out when his bone cracked. She brought her left arm down on his head and he fell to the ground, coughing. She kicked him in the stomach and he went flying into the wall beside the stairs.

He spit out the blood that pooled in his mouth. Katherine flicked a piece of hair out of her face, rolling her shoulders back. "Goodnight, Stefan," she said, moving toward the stairs.

He grabbed her foot, knocking her off her feet. She slammed down onto the elevated ground. She groaned a bit, her jaw snapping into place almost as quickly as it broke.

"Katherine," Elena gasped.

Stefan climbed on top of Katherine, shoving her onto her back. He pulled out a stake from his back pocket and held it above Katherine's heart.

"STEFAN, NO!" Elena yelled, rushing forward and grabbing his arm. He hit her off, the stake cutting her cheek. Elena stumbled back a bit, her eyes wide as her fingers went up to the bleeding wound on her cheek.

Katherine snarled and headbutted Stefan. The man stumbled off, crying out. Katherine followed him, throwing a punch to his face. He fell to the ground and she kicked him in the head causing the man's head to swing to the right, snapping his neck.

Katherine grunted and turned toward Elena. She grabbed the girl's arm and pulled her closer, tilting the girl's chin to get a good look at the cut. "You okay?" She asked the younger girl.

Elena nodded, sighing.

"That was kind of stupid to do. But thank you," Katherine said.

Elena shot her a look and brushed her fingers over her cut. She winced a bit and looked at the blood.

"Time to go," Katherine said, quickly putting the Petrova book back into Elena's bag. Then she walked over to Elena, wrapping her arm around the girl's waist. Then they sped away.

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

KATHERINE SET ELENA down outside the front door. She handed the girl the bag and then opened the front door. Elena walked in, "thanks," she muttered, rubbing her eyebrow.

Katherine hummed and closed the door behind her.

"Elena, is that you?" Jenna called.

"Uh, yeah and... and Katherine," Elena sighed.

Lorelei appeared in the doorway to the kitchen, looking a little hesitant. Elena almost collapsed with relief when she saw her. "Why are you bleeding?" Lorelei asked, her eyes zeroing in on the cut on Elena's cheek.

Elena's hand went up to her cheek. "Oh, uh, I..."

Katherine brushed past her, giving her a reassuring look before heading into the kitchen. Lorelei stepped closer to Elena, "what happened?" She asked.

Elena rubbed her forehead, sighing. "Um, I was talking to Katherine for the afternoon and—and Stefan found out and..."

"Uh-huh," Lorelei nodded.

"And he came down and was just trying to get me to not believe Katherine and—and saying all this shit and then he attacked her. He wouldn't let her leave and she was peaceful then—then he brought out a stake and I just, I couldn't let her die so I tried to stop him and he—he cut my cheek." Elena stopped talking when realized she had rambled her way through her explanation.

Lorelei didn't seem to mind though. "He cut you?" She asked. Elena nodded. Lorelei frowned, anger coursing through her. Her eyes turned golden. Then Lorelei blinked. "May I?" She asked, reaching for the cut.

Elena stepped closer. Lorelei ran her hand over the cut and Elena felt it heal. She sighed in relief, closing her eyes. Lorelei moved to step back but Elena just reached for her, stepping into the younger girl.

Lorelei gladly wrapped her up, holding her close and letting the girl bury herself in her arms. "I'm sorry," Lorelei whispered.

"I know," Elena whispered back.

Lorelei wrapped her arm around Elena's back and guided her into the kitchen.

Elena was greeted by Jenna, Bianca, and Hayley. "Where's Athena and Caroline?" Elena asked, confused.

"I'm here!" Caroline said, rushing into the room, "sorry, had to go get some blood."

"Athena then?" Elena raised an eyebrow.

"Haven't seen her all day. I think she's been locked in the library trying to find a solution to the... you know," Hayley said.

"Oh." 

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

ATHENA, WAS IN fact, not locked in the library nor was she searching for solutions. Well, not at the moment anyway. Elijah was standing beside her, them waiting for Slater to finish the call with Rose.

"Good luck, Rose," Slater said then ended the call.

"Very nicely done," Elijah complimented.

"Thanks. I have a degree in theater," Slater said.

Athena cocked an eyebrow. Slater turned around, coming face-to-face with the two Originals. Elijah didn't look very impressed with Slater's degree.

"How can you compel me?" Slater asked, looking between them, "a vampire can't compel another vampire."

Elijah and Athena glanced at each other and then looked back at Slater. "We're special vampires," Elijah shrugged, smirking at him.

"What, because you're originals?"

Athena glanced over at him. "Mm. Now, I want you to take this and drive it through your heart," Athena told him as Elijah held out a stake.

Slater's breathing grew heavy, his body trembling as he took the stake against his wishes. "B-but that would kill me forever," he said.

"I know," Elijah grinned, "but it's necessary."

Slater positioned the stake over his heart, then drove it through. They watched him fall to the ground, his body desiccating.

"Was it, really?" Asked Jonas Martin.

Athena rolled her eyes and looked at her brother. "Who's the witch again?" She asked, already annoyed with his presence.

"Warlock," Jonas corrected.

Athena rolled her eyes, mouthing 'warlock'. Nobody goes by warlock. Elijah grinned slightly at his little sister's annoyance, her temper could be just as short as Klaus' or as calm as Elijah's.

"It had to be done," Elijah dismissed, turning to face Jonas, "he delivered his message. Won't be long now."

"Was all that truly necessary? I mean, I have the moonstone," Athena said, looking at her big brother.

Elijah frowned at her, "why must you ruin your big brother's fun? I get to mess with the two vampires who have called you sister for the past 170 years even though they do not deserve it."

Athena huffed a bit. "Fine, big brother. I'll let you have your bloody fun."

"Oh, it will be bloody, yes," Elijah smiled.

"You spend too much time with Nik."

"Agreed." 

AN: aww big brother and little sister bonding. yk other than the fact he killed her child. anyway, hope you enjoyed! 

edited:
finished: 01/22/24
wc: 7625