"I mean there's dozens of photos" Bonnie said going through the box

"How the hell did this even get here?" Damon asked

"I've been telling you someone else was here" Bonnie proclaimed

"And why would they leave this on the doorstep?" Damon asked

"I don't know!" Bonnie yelled. They were snapped out of the argument as the screaming suddenly stopped. Damon walked into the living room to see Angelica just staring blankly at the wall, blood dripping down her nose

"That's never happened before" Bonnie said staring at the vampire. Damon walked back into the dining room and picked up the box. "What are you doing?"

"Gonna see if she remembers these photos" Damon said. There was dozens of photos of Angelica with some guy. The man has blue eyes and black hair. It was obvious the photos were from the 90s as well. Damon grabbed a photo and held it up

"Who is that?!" Damon yelled. Angelica had grown numb to the pain in her head. She had seen a face for just a second and suddenly the pain got so bad she couldn't even register it even more. She was just there, on autopilot. Angelica's eyes looked at the photo before it landed on a face she didn't know, but she felt like she did. Something was on the tip of her tongue

"K.." She muttered before closing her eyes and passing out. Damon inhaled angrily before he grabbed a nearby vase and threw it across the room. The vase smashed into pieces as it made contact with the wall

"Damn it!" He yelled

"Damon! Did you not hear her?! She said something!" Bonnie yelled

"Yeah we got a k. The fuck do we do with a k?!" Damon yelled

"It's progress! That has to be progress!" Bonnie said hopefully

"Yeah, right.. how do you know she wasn't gonna say 'kill me'?!" Damon yelled

"I can just feel it" Bonnie replied

"That makes me feel so reassured" Damon said sarcastically. Bonnie groaned in annoyance

"I'm going to store" Bonnie stated as she began to walk out

"I'll come with" Damon groaned

"You're not gonna babysit?" Bonnie asked referring to the unconscious Angelica

"No, we won't be gone that long" Damon said. The duo left the house leaving the vampire all by herself, which was a win for the other person stuck in this little world. A window was opened before a man came into the house

"God, I thought they'd never leave. They watch you like a hawk. Kind of annoying" A voice spoke of course Angelica had no idea. The man approached the unconscious vampire. He used his hand to lift up her face. He frowned as he wiped away the blood dripping down her nose

"You know, I was shocked when I saw you. I mean, you look like just as I remembered you. I was actually gonna come up to you just like that, so we could be reunited, but then I heard about this pesky little thing that's apparently messed up your mind. Compulsion? I think that's what Devin called it. Apparently you don't remember me. That makes me sad, or well not really, but you knew that. I hate to hear about your affections for another man. It makes me want to kill you to be honest, but I know it's not your fault" The man continued as he took a seat besides Angelica

"I mean when you start yapping about this Kurt dude.. oh my God.. it's like my hands start shaking, just aching to be wrapped around your throat.. but then Devin comes along and he reminds me that you're not really in love with this guy. I mean, you can't be, because you're mine and you love me. You've been tricked and you don't know it. But it's okay, I forgive you. I still need you, you know. I don't care about you any less because you're a vampire now, by the way" The man continued before putting both of his hands on Angelica's face. Her eyes still shut. He smiled at her as his hands cupped her face

"I'm gonna fix you. I'll make sure you remember me, and when I- scratch that we get out of here. I'm gonna merge with Josette, I'm gonna become coven leader and then we will finally get married. Even if you can't reproduce it's okay, I don't see you any differently. I'll make the coven accept you. Don't you worry about anything. I will take care of it all, Angel. Oh, by the way that Kurt guy is so lucky he's dead because if he wasn't I would liter-" The man cut himself off as he heard a door knob turned. He scrunched his face up in annoyance before untying Angelica and picking her up. He siphoned a little from her before muttering a spell to conceal them. He then quickly carried her out of the house

"Um, we have a problem!" Damon yelled

"What is it?" Bonnie asked

"Angie's gone.." Damon trailed off

☆♡☆

"Oh, you're waking up. Don't worry, I blindfolded you this time. Last time I didn't and you went 'aah, my head' and then like passed out. Didn't want that happening again" A familiar yet unfamiliar voice said. Angelica went to move but could tell she was tied up

"Sorry, I wasn't originally gonna tie you up but then I was like 'you don't remember me' so you're gonna think I'm some serial killer.. which I am, but you know that, well not right now you don't, but you did" The man continued. Angelica kept trying to think of where she knew the voice from but it only ended up in headaches

"Don't think too hard about it. It brings you pain, and I don't like that. It hurts me to see you in pain, well I assume it would. Um, anyway.. I really can't believe we're talking. I have been waiting for this day for 18 years. You are just as beautiful as I remember. The personality right now is a shame, but it's okay. I'll fix you" The man continued

"Who the hell are you?" Angelica asked

"See, I'd tell you but then your head will start hurting and you'll just end up passing out. So, let's call me.. oh what do I wanna go by? Let's go with Steve.. no, that's too boring.. um, Tony? Nah, just call me Mal" The man said. He couldn't tell her his name was Kai after all

"You talk a lot" Angelica pointed out. Kai was offended by this

"You used to love my rambling. My feelings are hurt. I'm really unsure of how this compelling stuff works so I've been doing some research. Well it's magic because vampires are magic, so I was like 'I can just siphon it' and I tried that but it turns out I was also killing you.. didn't want that. So, I threw that plan out of the window. My current plan is just to make you fall in love with me again.. of course that might be an issue since you're compelled to be in love with that Kurt guy, but I'm so much better" Kai rambled

"His name is Kol, and he did not compel me!" Angelica lashed out. Kai rolled his eyes

"Are you gonna tell me that you and Kol are star crossed lovers meant for each other?" Kai asked with a grin that Angelica couldn't see

"What me and Kol have. It's real, I know it i-" Angelica was cut off

"See and that's where I stop caring. You don't love him because you love me, even if you can't see that right now. What you and I have, it's real. What you and Kurt have.. it's mind games. You're my Angel.. not his" Kai said. Angelica felt a funny feeling in her stomach that she couldn't decipher. It was the nickname 'Angel'. Somebody called her that, only one person, and yet she couldn't remember who. Kai could see the confusion on her face

"So, this Kurt guy.. how long have you been in love with him?" Kai asked as he pulled out a bag of pork rinds. Angelica smiled thinking about it

"1984" She said causing Kai to choke on said pork rinds

"I'm sorry what, did you 1984? As in when you were 12?" Kai asked. Angelica nodded

"It was after school at night.. He had told me he wanted to show me something. He took my hand and led me to a lake near my house. The stars were sparkling on the water as they reflected the sky. It was beautiful. I remember him showing me all the constellations. He grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers. It was then I fell in love with him. He just rambling on and on as he looked at the sky, but I was too busy looking at him to have any idea what he was saying" Angelica admitted

Kai's jaw was clenched as he practically squeezed the life out of the pork grinds bag he was holding. He was infuriated, absolutely fuming. She was recalling their memory. He was the one to do that. Kai did that for her. But to hear her say some other man had done that, made him go crazy, but he understood that she wasn't in her right mindset. She couldn't help it

"Wow, what a story.. say when did you meet this guy?" Kai asked, regaining composure

"I met him at the Mikaelson ball" Angelica said with a smile. Kai raised an eyebrow

"When was that?" Kai asked

"October 22nd, 2010" Angelica replied. Kai kept his eyebrow raised

"Wait, wait, wait.. so you mean to tell me you've been in love with a guy since 1984, even though you met him in 2010?" Kai asked. Angelica was confused by this. Her words were contradictory

"That doesn't make.. any sense.. Why doesn't that make any sense? How can I..?" Angelica asked before her head began to hurt

"It's because you were compelled, Angel" Kai replied. Angelica shook her head as the headache began to get worse

"No, I wasn't. Kol wouldn't do that, he loves me" Angelica replied

"Then, why are you contradicting yourself?" Kai asked

"I.. I don't know" She said as she began to struggle in her restraints

"It's because you were compelled" Kai replied. Angelica shook her head

"Why would he compel me? That doesn't make any sense!" Angelica lashed out, confused and in pain. Kai sighed

"Because he loves you.. well he thinks he does at least" Kai said

"Well, that doesn't make any sense. I love him so he wouldn't need to compel me" Angelica replied as the pain continued to get worse

"Unless you didn't love him.." Kai pointed

"No, I do" Angelica defended

"How do you know you love him?" Kai asked

"Because I do!" Angelica yelled. Kai rolled his eyes

"How do you know?!" Kai yelled

"Because I feel it! I feel it!" Angelica yelled back

"What do you mean?!" Kai yelled

"He told me I loved him! I love him! Wai-" Angelica cut herself off as she felt excruciating pain. It was like her head was being ripped apart

"Wow, I'm so much better at this then Devin and Bertie. Literally only took me a couple hours and I've already made a dent" Kai said with a giddy grin on his face, not that Angelica could see of course. Suddenly doors slammed open. It seemed to snap Angelica out of whatever trance she was in. The pain stopped

"Angie?!" Damon yelled

"Damn, guess they heard us" Kai said. The sound of footsteps could be heard. Angelica couldn't see what was going on

"Damon?" Angelica asked. Damon ran over to see a smiling Kai who went back to eating his pork rinds and a blindfolded and tied up Angelica

"Rough day, huh, Devin?" Kai asked. He went to go for Angelica but was frozen in place

"Sorry. Manners. I'm Kai. Nice to meet you. Pork rind?" Kai spoke which made Angelica's head hurt. Kai sighed

"Right, sorry forgot about that. Let me just-" Kai cut himself off as he motioned his hand to do a swipe. Angelica's neck snapped. Damon's eyes went wide as he glared

"Okay, let me go!" Damon said

"Sorry, I'm in the process of fixing her mind and I can't let you untie her. I'll have you know, I've made more progress in the last hour than you have in the last month" Kai stated before continuing to munch on his pork rinds

"I'm sorry what?" Damon asked

"Do you not recognize me? I mean who do you think was in those pictures?" Kai asked with a grin. Damon's face morphed into one of confusion before he realized

"Son of a bitch!" Damon yelled

"Look, you probably have the wrong opinion about me. I mean it looks bad. Angelica's tied up in a chair now dead because of me, but I was doing it for her. I mean we're on the same side. I want that compulsion gone even more than you do. I mean can you even begin to imagine what it's like to hear your girl say she's in love with some other guy? I mean ugh, the worst!" Kai rambled as he stuffed his face with pork rinds. Damon rolled his eyes

"That is gonna have to stop" Damon said referring to Kai's crunching

"Oh, you think this is annoying? Try listening to you and Bonnie torture Angelica every time she wakes up.. oh and don't get me started on all the bickering you three do" Kai said rolling his eyes

"So, you've been following us?" Damon asked

"Of course I have. After all you guys were with my fiance" Kai said

"I'm sorry did you say fiance?" Damon asked

"Well, duh. I mean it was arranged but.. the love was there.. well on her side it was.. I don't really know what love feels like but I am obsessed with her.. that's the closest to love I think I'm gonna get" Kai said. Damon just stared at him

"You guys are engaged?" Damon asked

"Well last time I checked we were.. but considering she's been frolicking around with some other guy.. couple therapy is gonna be a bitch" Kai said as he raised his eyebrows

"I still can't get past the engaged thing" Damon said. Kai rolled his eyes

"I don't know how else you want me to explain it.. Like? Um, she's my future wife.. I mean, there's not many other ways you can say that" Kai admitted. Damon closed his eyes and sighed

"This has been a monumentally bad day in a sea of bad days. So I'm gonna need to know who you are.. why you are here.. and I'm gonna need Angelica back.. or I'm gonna rip your throat out" Kai said

"Temper's gonna get you in trouble, Damon. It's already driven Bonnie away how many times? Oh, wait. I know. Thirteen" Kai said with a grin

"You think my tempers bad with her? I like her. You? Not so much" Damon said still unable to move

"Well, sad to hear that. I like me a lot, but um.. I'm not giving you back Angelica. She's mine" Kai said. The magic Kai was using had run out. Damon immediately sped over and grabbed Kai by his collar. Kai laughed nervously

"Okay. Okay. Sorry. Seriously. I'm just kind of rusty on the face-to-face type human interactions.. and I mean you can't be mad about the Angelica thing. I knew her way before you. It's only right that I wanna protect her" Kai said. Damon glared at him before letting him go

"Answers. Now" Damon said

"Maybe you should have a drink. That usually calms you down" Kai said as Damon grabbed a bottle

"Thanks" Damon said

"And makes you angry. And sad. Then calm again. It's a weird cycle. And look, you already know the reason I'm following you.. you know Angelica.. but there's another reason.. it's because I want to kill you" Kai said as Damon took a drink of the alcohol only to spit it out. Kai had laced all the bottles with vervain. Damon let go of the bottle causing it to smash onto the floor. Damon fell to his knees as his skin burned from the vervain. Kai smiled as Damon coughed

"Vervain in your bourbon. Who didnt see that one coming?" Kai asked as Damon coughed up his guts

"Who buys patio furniture from a grocery store? I mean, somebody must, otherwise it wouldn't be here, but.. Now, I'm a little unfamiliar with vampires" Kai began as he picked up an umbrella and snapped it in half with his knee

"But from what I've gathered, a stake in the heart should do it. Kind of like how you killed my Angel, right?" Kai asked. Damon went to move but Kai stabbed Damon's hand with the wood from the umbrella. Damon groaned out in pain as blood gushed out. Kai began twisting it as he grinned

"You always fight dirty, Devin. Like that time you played Monopoly and you stole from the bank. Not cool" Kai said. Damon yanked his hand away and got up. He was panting

"I'm gonna rip your head off" Damon said

"No, you're not" Kai said before he swung the umbrella like a bat and smashed the bottles of alcohol filled with vervain. Damon screamed in pain as his skin was burning. He fell to his knees once more

"I didn't know which bottle you'd take.. so I vervained them all" Kai spoke before he got ready to kill Damon

"Stay away from him" Bonnie said. Kai looked up at her

"The useless one is here. Thank God. I've watched you try to do magic for months now. What are you gonna do, fail at me? It's embarrassing. I'm embarrassed for you" Kai said before he held the umbrella up, positioning it to kill Damon. Bonnie lit a candle suddenly. Kai's smile dropped

"Oh.." Kai said. Bonnie smirked at him

"Run" Bonnie said. Damon got up and sped over to Angelica, quickly untying her before speeding out with her in his arms. Kai glared at that

"Give her back!" Kai yelled. Bonnie muttered a spell and the floor lit on fire. Kai put down the umbrella

"Okay. Okay. Okay" He said as he raised his hands in defeat

"Giving up so soon? I'm embarrassed for you" Bonnie spoke before something hit Kai over the head. He fell to the ground

☆♡☆

"Ugh why am I still blindfolded and tied up?!" Angelica yelled

"Because you can't look at K- Mal" Bonnie corrected herself

"Look, guys I think you were right" Angelica said recalling her last conversation with Kai. Damon raised an eyebrow

"Are you lying, really?" Damon asked. Angelica shook her head

"No, no.. I was talking with Mal.. um and there was.. something doesn't add up. For some reason I think I've been in love with Kol since 1984 but I didn't meet him until 2010.. I- it doesn't make any sense.. it honestly gives me a headache" Angelica explained. Damon turned to Kai who had a 'I told you so' grin

"How did you-" Bonnie trailed off

"I know everything about her. You guys seriously don't think I could manipulate her into seeing the truth" Kai explained

"You're manipulating me?" Angelica asked

"Well, it's not a bad manipulation.. I'm not doing it for my own selfish gain.. okay I am, but like it's different.. I'm just making you remember that you were in love with me and not that Kurt guy" Kai explained

"Are we sure he's not lying?" Bonnie asked

"Hey, you saw the photos" Kai defended

"Her taste in men is questionable" Damon replied

"I'm sure people tell um.. Eliza that too" Kai said to Damon

"Who the hell is Eliz- do you mean Elena?" Damon asked

"Well, duh. You don't shut up about her" Kai said rolling his eyes

"Now, why don't we get along to the Q and A portion of the evening" Damon said holding a bag of pork rinds

"Let me guess. I answer right, I get a pork rind. Wrong, I get a poker" Kai replied

"What? No, no, no, these are for me. You just get the poker" Damon said as he poked Kai in the shoulder

"Yeah, you don't have to do that" Kai said

"No?" Damon asked

"We're on the same team" Kai said. Angelica couldn't help but feel like she knew his voice. Like his voice resonated with her. Anytime she tried to think about where she knew his voice from her head would hurt

"Really? Do you always try and kill your teammates?" Bonnie asked

"The important thing is that you have your magic back. It worked. What, you-? You didn't really think I'd kill Damon, did you?" Kai asked before he laughed

"In what universe does that make sense? I wouldn't kill one fourth of our population, even if you killed Angel first. I'm not a monster. I knew Bonnie would show up. She always comes back, all 13 times. Plus you guys were looking for Angel so you couldn't stay too far. I also knew that with the right motivation she'd be able to access her magic. Although I did get a little worried with all your bickering.. that Damon's life wouldn't be enough motivation. But turns out it was. I guess that's just how you two show your love" Kai explained

"So you did all that just to make sure I'd have my magic?" Bonnie asked

"Of course I did. Because your magic is the key to getting the hell out of here" Kai said

(3639 words)
04/02/24