Chapter 4: Making Amends
"Ah... umm." Jenna being massaged on the couch kept making sounds. Katherine used the technique she had learnt from the ladies in the cultivation version of entertainment world.
She had gone there to study the place for when she would steal their treasure but she did spend 6 years from low level to the highest level besides the leader.
Over the years Katherine had acquired many skills including alchemy which was her favorite since she could use the medicine to add on her skills. Although these will have expiration date. Only the talents taken from a living being will last forever.
She can steal anything including the effect of medicine from the medicine itself and pass it off as her skill.
The results are amazing but of course she never really worked for her cultivation base but she still needed to learn other skills such as alchemy, all the forms of art and many many more.
She didn't want to end up with nothing to do with her long life. So she ended up selling her skills, bloodline, special physic and inherent talents that can only be obtained through good luck. She refused to force people to give up what they want which is why she didn't have a lot of business.
"Can anyone enlighten me why is John cooking?" Jenna grumbled she does not like John.
"I asked him very nicely and he was touched by my willingness to let him be part of the family. He even screamed with emotion." Katherine said making Jeremy marvel in her ability to spout bullshit.
Jenna did not believe her but is distracted by the massage to care too much. She can't cook so if John is willing he can go a head.
After a while Jenna goes to set up the table so that when dinner is ready they can just sit and eat.
"So, Jenna how do you feel?" Katherine helps her in setting up the table.
"I feel great, that was some serious skills you have Elena, how did you learn to do that?"
"Since you feel great, then I guess it is the right time to tell you that I am not Elena, I am her 500 years old vampire ancestor." Katherine said with a serious tone making Jenna stop in her tracks.
"I woke up because of the smell, did John really cook something delicious?" Elena walked down from the stairs. When Jenna saw it she stopped with a bowl in her hands. Her eyes went from Elena to Katherine and then back to Elena again.
Katherine didn't want to deal with her overreactions so she sent her power to calm Jenna. The soul Arts she learnt all those years ago came to the rescue.
"What are you doing?" Both siblings asked at the same time.
"I have to ask for her forgiveness, how do I do that if she doesn't even know what I did?" Katharine ask with a frown. "Elena made me realize that even when it is not possible to be forgiven I should try any ways."
"That is not what I meant You can't just involve aunt Jenna into all these dangerous things. Is this why you practically forced me to take you home with me so you can put my family in danger?" Elena yelled in frustration.
"Well, I did come to apologize to your aunt and maybe make it up to her, but Elena do you really think she is safe just because she is oblivious? What happened to her should be a good example of not safe."
"That was because of you, You are the reason she got hurt last time. The only reason she got involved that time was all your fault." Elena accused.
"I agree, I'm a bitch, but Elena are you forgetting something?" Katherine asked.
Jenna is still dazed from seeing double. John came and helped to put food on the table.
"What are you talking about?" Jeremy asked with an annoyed.
"You are upset I understand. Look John made dinner, you don't want to be rude and let the food get cold do you?" Katherine pulled out a chair for Jenna and then she took a seat opposite Elena.
"Remember Elena, don't throw food around." Katherine joked.
"I was going to throw the knife to your face instead." Jeremy laughed and John chuckled.
John made the food, which is full of vervain, which is why he became even more depressed when he saw Katherine eating happily. Elena and Jeremy also saw this.
"Is someone going to explain what is going on?" Jenna seeing the food also started eating.
She is oddly calm for someone who just found out vampires are real.
"Well." Katherine started but is interrupted by the siblings.
The two started talking at the same time making Katherine rub her forehead. She soon got tired of them trying to lie their way through this.
"Enough!"
she looked at the two children and raised her chin to them both. "The two of you, keep quiet." They couldn't make a sound.
"Now Jenna I was responsible for your run in with a knife a while a go, I also cut off John's fingers." Katherine lowered her eyes to hide the amusement in her eyes.
Of course it is about John who has a lot of hate for vampires so there is no making amends with him.
"You did that? why?" Jenna having been calm realized this is not a prank nor is it a joke. Katherine sighed.
"I can make excuses but the truth is I had given Elena instructions and she did not heed my threats and well, I had a reputation to maintain." Katherine said.
"Do you know how much pain that caused me? I.... Get out!" Jenna felt rage in her that she has not felt for a long time.
"You are not very smart are you? You are human and weak, I on the other hand am very powerful. Your daughter is in danger and you need allies as powerful as myself. You know next to zero about the supernatural world so you are being blissfully ignorant."
"let me give you an Idea of what I am offering as means of an apology. I can give you strength, make it so no one can ever hope to get inside your head again. I can make you into a warrior capable of doing your job as a guardian, to keep those little kids safe. All you have to do is forgive me for my transgressions." Katherine said.
Katherine doesn't like mortal food but now she can eat without worries since she is already weak compared to the past. She is here to live the life she wants and that will start with cleaning some of Katherine's misdeeds.
"The three of you can speak as you wish." Katherine realized that the kids and John couldn't make a sound. Exhales came from the table but the silence didn't last for too long. Elena slammed her hand on the table and eyed Katherine with venom.
"You come into my home and you are doing all this, what exactly is it that you want?" Elena has fury.
"There it is, the Petrova fire. In moments like these I get so proud of you Elena and to explain myself I came to make amends."
"You could have gone about it another way."
"Yes but this way is straight forward, like ripping off a bandage."
"You just like creating chaos." Jeremy said between bites.
"Alright you are upset that I told her about something you were all hiding from her but the truth is that is why I had targeted her, she is completely clueless. You should know that a team is as strong as it's weak member."
John remained quiet the entire time. Jenna stood up and pulled Elena and Jeremy upstairs, soon there are yelling and crying. Katherine looked at John.
"How is my darling Isobel?" Katherine asked, John stiffened on his seat. Katherine had expected him to be like this. He is like those miserable martial artists who bully the weak and fear the strong. He exudes hostility but is keeping it to himself now that he has had his ass handed to him.
He coughed and looked at Katherine slowly as if afraid to make her angry by a glance. "She is well."
"Okay, I'm going to need that dagga and ashes little Gilbert, then I'll forget about your plans to let one of the Salvatore brothers use it on Elijah so they can die. How about that? I'm very forgiving, no?" She asked John who agreed immediately.
He stood up walking toward the bedroom already hatching a diabolical plan in his mind. "John, if you switch the ashes so I'll be in danger after trying to use it and fail, I'll reach in your stomach, pull out your insides and feed them to you." She gave him a small smile.
As the words fell, Jenna came back with the kids. She looked at the old vampire with apprehension. "You want my forgiveness right?"
Katherine nodded at her. "Yes I am turning over a new leaf, you see I am a very bad woman. I probably have enemies everywhere so I want to correct some of the decisions I have made throughout my life."
Jenna looked skeptical but nodded nonetheless.
"Then what can you tell me about this danger Elena is in?" Jenna asked.
"Are you sure that's what you want? If I tell you all that I know, will you let bygones be bygones?" Katherine smiled.
"Hoho, do you think what you did can just be let go like that? You say you are old but you don't seem to be well informed. Getting someone's forgiveness is a process, first I need to know that you are not just saying pretty words now only to turn around and do the same thing again or worse things in the future." Jenna said.
Katherine sat down and contemplated. "It is true that I may lack common sense in this aspect, I will trust you to guide me Jenna. What you proposed was for me to prove myself? Show you that I am worth forgiving?" She looked at Jenna who nodded.
"Yes exactly." Jenna responded.
"Alright, but you don't get to milk me for all my worth like how your niece does with Bonnie. I may lack common sense but I am not stupid, got it?" She folded her arms making a deadpan expression.
"What do you mean Bonnie?" Jenna looked at Elena who just fidgeted.
"Don't lose sight of the point, I will do what you have suggested unless I feel that I am about to be exploited." Katherine brought her back to the topic.
"Alright. Now explain about the danger." Jenna said.
"How about I do something else like make you stronger and turn you into a warrior?" Katherine thought story telling is so boring.
"No!" Elena answered first.
"How can you be against this? you know what's coming and how she will be helpless..." Katherine doesn't get to finish.
"You will not turn her into a vampire!" Elena screamed at Katherine.
"That is not what I wanted to do snowflake, I said warrior did I not? What do you say Jenna? It won't be easy nor will it be painless." Katherine said with a mysterious smile.
"I don't like the smile on your face, how exactly is the process." Jeremy asked Katherine's smile deepened.
"Excruciating. The pain will break you and remake you. You will wish for death on multiple occasions." Katherine said truthfully. Jenna swallowed.
"Or you can be a vampire and we can all call it a day." Katherine offered.
"That is not going to happen. Uncle John and I will will explain all that we know to her. Why don't you go to bed? I'm sure causing chaos and ruining lives while "making amends" must have been tiresome for you." Elena offered with sarcasm but Katherine smiled.
"Yes I'll take John's room. Thank you Elena, you really are a good person." Katherine went to the room where John had come from and took out all his unpacked clothes and vampire hunting equipment and left it in the lounge.
Katherine went to take a shower, stole some of Elena's sleeping clothes. She is fond of these slutty outfits, different from the fighting wear of the cultivation world. Women can wear whatever they want here even as it shows the outline of their naked bodies.
The shoes have so much variety that she can not wait to go shopping the next day with Katherine's cards. Katherine had stashes of cash all over the map so she can be on the move at a moment's notice. Poor soul had it tuff. Syria will avenge her. Death will be too kind for those who commit evil unnecessarily.
She went to sleep but felt a presence inside the room. When she woke up the sun hadn't risen and the room is dark. The house is quiet but there is still that presence.
Katherine went to the bathroom washed up and turned on the lights. She sneaked into Jenna's and stole her phone. She learned the use of this device from Katherine's memories. She called a friend of Katherine who owns a dojo and a traditional medicine large company in China.
She sent him a list and told him to send as much as he can, she has a way to preserve the quality as long as they arrive in a week.
She took a blank paper and started drawing the runes she will carve later when she has the right materials. She didn't use her soul power so it looks like complex characters. She closed the note book already feeling drained just from recalling such ancient knowledge.
Katherine had tried feeling the qi in the air and found out it is impressive but not enough to reach her previous level of power. In any case she can feel the density of magic power in the air. It is leaking from several sources which she would be interested in if she was more powerful than her current level.
Her guess is that this world is a minor world connected to another world with superior life forms. That world probably has even denser magic than this world.
After Katherine meditated and walked around her mind space she was able to recall a knowledge that she had studied several millennials ago. Runes using magic energy instead of qi.
She can use this here instead of relying on the traveler spells or she can even make use of the travelers knowledge to come up with something good.
She then drew those she urgently needed to make currently. Janna may be unable to make a decision and in the meantime she wants to make herself invaluable to the family. She will give them a taste of what she can offer.
Someone may ask why not just leave this place and settling somewhere far? the answer is simple. Elena is the child of destiny in this world which means being around her will be full of danger and adventures.
Even Stefan and Damon have an unusual amount of luck. It means she won't be bored, it also means if she doesn't mend the relationship she will end up with miserable fate.
If she is not wrong, this seemingly impossible enemy with too much power will be one of her tests, one of many. The fact that she is the same with this Elena, means she already had bad karma. Who can live up to the child of destiny?
No wonder Katherine became brainless and pursued Elena's destruction, she was another test. Why else would she hurt Damon who is obviously unhinged in favor of Stefan who hate her? She was obviously asking for abuse.
When the first raise of sunlight came, Katherine fell back into slumber even though there's a stranger inside her room. She didn't feel any malice from him even though it has been hours.
Elijah came out of the curtain when he could hear the even breathing from Katherine on the bed. He is not all hormonal it's just, she seems very different from the girl he remembers but the change is not undesirable but alarming instead.
He is not a fool, and is aware of the kind of person she had become to survive his family. He will not be so entitled as to demand she submit to him but, her strength is alarming and the idea of having her as his own weapon is quite appealing, yet, he hesitate.
What if she refused him?
What if she doesn't want anything to do with him because of their past?
He will probably not be devastated but she can not be allowed to live if she can be used against him and yet he doesn't have a clue as to how to get rid of her. Even now, he is aware she spotted him the moment she came out of the bathroom but she didn't say anything as if she had complete confidence in her strength.
He doesn't want to antagonize a powerful person right before he is about to face his brother. He walked to the notebook she had written in and is dazzled by the complexity of the diagrams and what seems to be runes. He takes a photo of one page and then walk towards her.
She is sleeping seemingly so soundly. Something is amiss about her form though. A nearly invisible outline of a fox envelops her entire form. Its eyes are shut as well but he somehow knows if he comes near her, those seemingly closed eyes will open.
It looks to be a spirit of a fox, it color is light pink, it seems like an enchanting and a playful animal. It explains somethings but not all. He is mesmerize just looking at it. There is even a large fluffy tail. The ears are cute.
Elijah moved back realizing he was loosing himself in it. He turned around and went away. When he turned around the fox spirit opened its large pink eyes that seemed to have a hint of a smile.
The eyes soon closed and the spirit started shrinking and disappeared inside the woman on the bed.
Katherine woke up and went out to recruit solders.
As a princess of an entire realm, she has seen more wars than possible to count and the one thing that has remains constant in all these wars, is the value of a soldier.
Nicklaus is a werewolf and he will want to make more of his kind after breaking the curse. Katherine will recruit all the willing werewolves and turn them into a force that can rival the the great army of old.
Katherine found a group of people who specialize in gathering information. This is one of the ways he was able to stay ahead of even. She had a few detective agencies that is owned by vampires, she used them to find this location.
She knew that no world exist where people don't want to kill each other. These guys are a relatively small group of assassins for hire. She will take over this place since they have werewolves working for them. Vampires are not included here since they need invitation to enter into the target's house.
Also this organization was founded by a werewolf who wanted to create a home for lone wolves. In doing so they can have a way to feed themselves but now the business is dying.
Werewolves are scarce since vampires have a tendency to purge them and exterminate them whenever they can.
The once glorious enterprise has deteriorated into a shadow of it's former self. She is expecting to be rejected because the is a vampire.
"Wuhu, any body home. New neighbor paying respect." Katherine wearing a alight blue lace dress. She seemed like a pretty flower.
The weather is warm so she is wearing a light summer wear completed with sandals showing her delicate small feet.
A young man wearing a bikers jacket shows up.
He just appears in front of her like a ghost, of course Katherine jumped pretending to have been scared out of her wits. "You scared me." She acclaimed wobbling with a large container in her hand.
"Who are you?" The emo kid asked, he is not wearing a shirt under the jacket. His chest has a large howling wolf tattoo. She looked at it until the guy started snapping his fingers in her face.
She turned red with shame at being caught ogling. "Katherine, I came to introduce myself and bring baked goods." She smiled like a blooming flower. The kid chuckled and took the large pie from her hands. He gestured for him to come in but he didn't say it out loud.
The inside leads to the kitchen and then there is a door going into the inner yard where many people are sitting next to a pool drinking, others are sitting on their bikes under a large tree smoking and chatting. It seems to be a good place the family seems large.
Calling them assassins is not appropriate after seeing them, they seem like body builders or wrestlers. She is led to a middle aged couple. The woman is carrying a 3 year old that is refusing to eat.
"Aunt Marie, this lady gave us a large pie. She said her name is Katherine." He then left Katherine standing there in front of the old couple. Katherine smiled.
"I just moved here, I was hoping to have a small discussion with the leaders. A storm is coming, and I'm building a boat." She said and the couple got stunned.
They got up, gave the baby to someone else and went to the study leading Katherine inside.
The man stood by as his wife sat and looked at Katherine with narrowed eyes. "We teach our children well, so I know he didn't invite you in. Now, how the hell are you in my house vampire?!" He growled
"He didn't your kids are well mannered though. I wonder where he got it from?"
Katherine took her seat in front of the desk and looked at the madam seated across.
"What can we do for you young.... Katherine?" The lady asked but Katherine can see that she is clenching her jaw.
"I bring grave news for your species. Many of you may not know this but there is a man born of werewolf, he was later turned into a vampire and gained the ability to shift at will."
"We know of him, but he disappeared and the story turned into legend. What about it?" Marie asked with intrigue.
"He was cursed by his mother, the werewolf side of him has been locked away. He will break this curse in the next few months and when that happens, he will come for you." Katherine explained with patience.
She had sneaked into Elijah's mind when he had thought she was asleep, she knows most of Nicklaus's plans.
"What would he want with us?" the man asked but the inside evident on his face.
"To make an army of hybrids. He will turn you into vampire werewolf hybrids that will grant you the ability to turn at will just like him." She said and waited.
"We wont have to turn if e don't want to?" Marie askes and exchange looks with the husband.
"Yes, you will have full control of your transformation."
"Why would this be grave news?"
"Well, he will turn all who has the gene, he will not care about your ability to make children. I don't know about you but kids are a blessing, don't you think?" Katherine said with a smirk.
The couple came down from their excitement and realized the implications. They will turn into the very beings they despise. Their lines will end, they will need to drink human blood.
"We don't have to join him though, so I fail to see why you called this grave news." Marie pressed.
"You wont have a choice. You will either join his pack or wait, there is no other choice once he comes. You are all his to command."
"That does seem troublesome. However, why are you here?" Marie asked.
"I am here to piss on his plans. You see, I want him to be unable to achieve his dreams. Think of me as the alternative to becoming a hybrid."
"So, You are here to recruit us before he does?"
"Yes."
"What's the difference between working for him and working for you?" The man whom Marie called Stan asked.
"For starters I wont turn you into blood sucking monsters." She said easily making the two people stunned. who would call what they are 'monster?'
"Also I want all the wolves in my own army. I know, going against a 1000 year old hybrid may seem...." She didn't get to finish.
"1000?!" That sounds very strong. Stan seem to be on the verge of a break down.
"Don't pee your pants Jim."
"Stan." He grumbled.
"Right, try to hold it in, I have heightened senses." Katherine said with a frown.
"Stan is fine, why don't you make your offer?" Marie stopped the augment.
"It will be best to show you. Bring me a disposable werewolf and I'll turn him into someone who can take on at least two vampires by himself." Katherine offered.
"We don't have someone like that." Stan made an angry face at the insinuation.
"Are you sure? Because your heart says you are lying. Who is it? Bring them so I can go." The couple exchanged looks and then Stan went out.
"So, you are in charge huh?" Katherine smiled.
"I'm stronger. I am level headed and people listen to me." Marie said unbothered.
"Women have come a long way. You make me proud." Katherine showed a genuine smile taking Marie by surprise.
"When will we see results?" Stan came back and threw a man the same age as him on the floor, The man is in chains and seems to have been under fed for a long time.
"That depends, can he take pain?" She asked and the wolves stiffened.
"We turn every full moon what do you think?" Marie said.
"Aye, that is why I chose wolves for my army. A week then. Two if his will power is weaker than expected." Katherine walked towards the scrawny man on the ground.
"What's your name?" She looked at him.
"Marie, who is this? Yoll are not selling me right? Stan, I'm your brother come on." The man said to his leaders but their faces hardened and they didn't want to look at him.
Katherine put her finger under the man's chin and lifted his face so he can look at her.
"Really, you give me one with so much defects? I'll need a month at most to clean his system. His internal structure is shutting down. Here I thought we were getting along little Marie." Katherine sighed.
"What gave you that Idea?" Marie gave her a smirk.
"We were having heart to heart a moment ago. By the way what's wrong with him?" Katherine asked but she knows very well. She had read his mind.
"Drugs, the illegal kind." Stan said, proud of pissing on her plans.
"I will find other packs. I can't waist my time with junkies." She said but still took the guy from the floor.
"Umm, should we let her take him?" Stan asked.
"Are you willing to live with that filth?" Marie asked harshly.
"He is my brother." Stan sounded anxious.
"What she will be doing is turn him into an army soldier. That is the best place for him. Most importantly she seems to be desperate for men power if she is willing to work with wolves considering what she is."
"Alright, I'll listen to you." Stan's shoulders sagged.
Katherine had hired a cabin in the woods. The dying man seems to have lost his voice. She took off his chains and threw him into the water. "Wash yourself, you reek." she got inside the cabin and started brewing medicine.
She hang an overall outside the door with a pair of underwear.
Katherine has to learn to use the tattoo machine so she will brand runes on the soldiers. She can't have them be ambushed and killed easily after spending so much effort on them.
The large pot of medicine is ready when Katherine got out side the check on the guy, she found him passed out.
"The body is dying from rotting internal organs, had you been a normal human you would have died a long time ago." She opened his mouth and poured a small vial of dark green liquid into his mouth. She had put a few drops of her blood in there.
Her blood when used along with a few more herbs will enhance the properties of the medicine giving it a magical efficiency. She will make a few of these just in case.
The fox blood is very special, all clan members can not disclose this to outsiders. There's a poisonous magical oath that will result in terrible consequences if someone used this knowledge to bring harm to the clan.
The realm doesn't have this information even the one about enslaving living beings is well hidden. This is why fox clan members are forbidden from marrying outside. The Emperor went through a lot to get a bride for his son that year.
Katherine is giving her blood to his guy because he belongs to her now. The complexion of the junky became rosy so Katherine slapped his face.
"Ow, what the hell?!" He woke up feeling better than he had felt in four years. He touched himself and jumped this way and that way. "What happened?"
"What is your name?" Katherina asked.
"Antony, call me Tony." The man smiled, he doesn't realize it but he is already under her control. His way of treating her is already better than how he would have done before getting the blood. From this moment forward, he is one of her people.
Katherine sighed thinking about her precious blood being wasted on a junky. She looked at him and forced a smile.
"Tony, you will be working for me from now on. There is a five liter of medicine in the kitchen. Use it everyday. drink a cup full. It will be painful but remember, you have to hold on so you can be stronger."
Tony nodded with a smile. "I have to hold on to get stronger."
"There will be three Japanese friends of mine who will come to teach you how to fight, they are vampires but don't worry they won't drink your blood. They are professionals."
Tony had a down cast expression it is not too obvious but the blood has already sired him to her. "Are you going away?"
"Yes, I have three more pack leaders to meet soon I will have an army. You have to take your training serious Tony, you were the first of many. They will all be your juniors You can't be weaker than your juniors right?"
"Right!"
"I'll be back, you have three days to prepare for the trainers to get here. During this time your only food source will be the qi food I had prepared. It will assist in reducing the impurities intake. That way the pain from the elixir will reduce. I made several servings. The containers are encrypted with rune magic so it wont go off."
"I wrote all these Instructions on the wall in the kitchen. Choose any room they have all been furnished this entire estate belongs to me, so consider it your home." Tony nodded.
"No drugs, take good care of your body. I need a strong warrior not a weakling.
"Understand?"
"Understood."
"I'm Katherine. Your new boss." She left since there will be more packs to rope in.
...
"This is depressing." Katherine pulled her dress away from the mud. "Should have worn mud boots." The bushes near by rustled and heads started popping out.
"Vampire!" Someone exclaimed and the werewolves came out to attack. Katherine sent out her command silently using her power and everyone within the range of her spiritual power halted.
Katherine had reached second level in the mind arts, it is considered slow because she has a fox spirit but the qi in the air is really pitiful in comparison so this is still acceptable. All she will have to do is reach the same level in the body strength and she will have a second tail.
A second tail will boost both areas when necessary, like a hidden card.
She looked at the werewolves surrounding her and smiled. "I would love to play 'catch the vampire' with you but the mud.... please excuse my rudeness but can I have a word with your leaders? It's a matter of life and death. Literally." The people looked at a direction and there sat a young looking man.
"Thank you kind mud dweller." She made her way to the man who is watching the entire thing. She released them from being stuck and this time no one dares to stop her.
She did a curtsy while holding her dress but she did not let it go because of the dirty ground.
"Hello, I'm Katherine. I have traveled a long distance to meet you all. May I ask, do you live in the wood? I brought gifts but if they will be in the mud...."
"We don't need hand outs from a vampire." The leader said sternly.
"More for me then. I come baring grave news. " She didn't get to finish before the leader pointed at a man and two women hurdled together in a further way spot.
"See you in three weeks." The man stood up and left her just like that. She stomped her small foot and took away the three people. Who are all drug addicts. She got so angry, it is obvious these wolves are not taking her serious at all. She will show them.
The same scenario took place three more times before she went back and did the same introduction as the one she did with Tony.
She got back a day later so she watched the recruits suffer under the effects of the elixir with satisfaction. Another day later she left having prepared hundreds of servings consisting only of qi food.
The trainers will build an entire training grounds to facilitate her growing army. The number of recruits is nine. After this, she will have her terrible nine squad.
.....
Jenna as expected has been ignoring Katherine but she is not bothered by this development since it was within her expectations. She went and got another delivery from the airport.
She rented a storage and put all the materials inside. Then she used her vampire fox hybrid blood to draw runes using the special brush she had made. The ware house is then flooded with nourishing magical energy that will keep the materials in optimal condition for however long she needs.
Katharine doesn't have the materials to make a storage ring but she can make use of this place. She added a few more runes which I'll bring out any object in this place to her hand when ever she wills it. She will make a better place in the future but for now, this space will do.
She put the weapons that she had made for order from a few states away. She used the internet and paid for everything. She is still waiting for her musical instruments.
She then went to shopping by herself and came back to the house well into the evening. She looked at the dagger and ash deciding to hide it in the mean time. If she hands it over to the Salvatore brothers they will put Elijah down without consideration for the future.
But she also doesn't want to give it to him for no reason. She had called Isobel Fleming and instructed her to go the opposite direction of Nicklaus and his party. She has a bad feeling ever since seeing the dagger. How can it be so easy to obtain it without it being a trap?
Isobel doesn't see this so it's best she leaves. A day later she called and sent photos of where she is but Katherine is still feeling uneasy. So she sent another vampire friend to confirm where Isobel is. This person is a detective, Katharine had used him many times before when she was running, and she found out Isobel is coming this way.
It is not a surprise that she has been compelled. She now has someone following Isobel who will be here in three days. How troublesome now I have to deal with Elijah, "I was having a nice quiet couple of days."
"Elena we need to talk. Now!" Katherine came in to find a weird atmosphere John seems to be saying goodbye.
"Where could you possibly go? Your daughter is about to become an ingredient and you are leaving?" Katherine asked in surprise.
"I can't offer anything." John said in shame.
"Tell me of the conversation you had with Isobel when she gave you the dagger." She commanded.
John said she had instructed him to give it to the Salvatore brothers, they were to put down Elijah, along with one of the vampire brothers.
"She has been compelled, she is coming this way who knows what she is smoking. My guess is that Niklaus is planning a grand entrance. Something dramatic to keep us on our toes." Jenna, Elena and Jeremy became apprehensive.
"Why are you smiling like that?" Jenna asked weirded out.
"I get a play mate. It's been so long." Katherine answered.
"Who is Isobel?" Jenna asked.
"Elena will tell you. I was having such a nice quiet time these days and making good use of it." Katherine's annoyance is visible.
"Fine I will make use of Elijah, he is closer than the Salvatore house." Katherine went outside and flashed to the witch house that Elijah frequents.
She knocked on the door and a youthful face greeted her, when he saw her face he is momentarily stunned and then he asked, "Elena, how can I help you?"
She frowned. "Young man don't be rude, step aside."
She made her way into the house. She hasn't been invited in but her fox spirit is more powerful that her vampire side making it able to over turn all the shortcomings of being a vampire, it's the same way that Nicklaus is able to walk in the sun without needing a daylight ring.
The boy freaked out and ran to his father's office. Katherine went straight to Elijah's room and knocked on the door, he opened. He is not wearing a suit but what seems to be comfortable casual wear. Though he doesn't seem to have been relaxing.
"Did you find out what the drawings are?" He didn't look up busy inspecting his clothes, he doesn't seem to be in favor of casual wear.
"Ow my, don't you look handsome." Katherine steps out of the way so that he can come out of the bedroom.
"Katharina." Elijah looked into her eyes, the nonchalant from before dissipating as his eyes turn serious and intense.
"Come now Elijah, you are allowed to visit but I am not? That is not very noble of you." Her voice is seductive and playful.
The two witches came out from one study and stood in the hallway watching the two of them on silence. The old man is able to recognize who this is. His stance changes to hostility.
"Miss Pierce, I wasn't aware you have been invited into our home." The witch said with clenched teeth.
"Again, you are allowed to break into someone's home but yours is off limits?" She asks with a smile.
She had been to Elena's room to steal her clothes she is able to recognize this man's aura in the house. The witch widen his eyes.
"What brings you by? Katharina?" Elijah asked loosing patience.
"No tea? But Elijah, I showed you my skills in tea brewing but you offer me non?" She blinks.
"No tea, as you can see you have us all curious as to what brings you here. Please, do elaborate while my excitement is still ... contained." Elijah said visible impatience in his voice. The witch stiffens at his words.
"That sounded awfully akin to a threat." She looks at him smiling. The silent stretched. The witches got ready to attack, Elijah's eyes narrowed. He is aware of her changed personality, she seems to enjoy keeping people on their toes.
"Hehe, I come bearing gifts Elijah, whatever will you do to thank me?" She blinked at him. She handed him the dagger and ash, seeing the items no one but the young man saw that the dagger and ash came out of no where. She lifted her hand from a hanging posture and opened it facing up then an item showed up.
"Your brother is going to make an entrance. He compelled Elizabeth to come first. I imagine a grand entrance is in order. Something to keep us guessing. She is the biological mother of the doppelganger, an emotional trauma for him to exploit." Hearing this news the faces in the room all tensed.
Elijah took the dagga from her. "Thank you for bringing it to me, Why did you bring it to me? This gives you leverage incase you need it against me. So, why give up the one thing that can incapacitate me?" His eyes stared intensely into hers searching for something.
Katherine looked at him sadly, she wrapped her arms around his waist resting her head on his broad chest. "You are so charming Elijah, I have fallen victim to the famous Michaelson charm. What ever will I do?" She looked at him with a pitiful expression.
Elijah knew she was just playing around again, but the look in her eyes pulled at his old heart strings. They looked at each other like that, just staring into each others eyes making the witches uncomfortable on the side.
The old witch thought they might start kissing and he didn't want his son to see such things. He coughed making the two people separate.
"That was to be sent to the Salvatore brothers to incapacitate you. Like a king, he is sending servants to prepare for his arrival." Elijah's face turned serious hearing those words from her.
"Now, about my reward." She said smiling at him. Somehow it made all the hairs on his body stand on end. He swallowed and took a stance.
"What do you want?" He asked.
"Nothing much, just 5 liters of your blood." She answered nonchalantly. Gasps came from the witches. That much blood from one of the most ancient and powerful vampires in the world, the things they can do. They started drooling just thinking about it.
"That is too much." Elijah objected.
"Elijah, you are honorable are you not?" She narrowed her eyes dangerously, she ran her hand on his chest but instead of the heat from before when she held him, it sent chills up his spine. He forced a smile, grabbed her small hand and nodded.
"Have it delivered to my place I'm sure you know the address."
He wanted to protest but he didn't want to lose prestige in front of his servants. He could only hold his displeasure inside and swear to spank that round buttocks some day.
"And Elijah, you look very handsome today. Come play with me sometime." She walked gracefully towards the door.
Elijah looked at the two witches who looked at him in judgment. He coughs lightly and fix them both a hard stare. "Not a word about this. Understand?" They nodded. He looked at his clothes and clicked his tongue in annoyance.
He went back to his bedroom to store the ash and dagger and also to change clothes. 'Come play with me' words keep sounding in his ear. He still smiles though. She did just bring him a weapon that can be used against him. She might still have a soft spot for him.
"Umm dad, when you said 'women are dangerous did you mean that?" The young witch watched Katherine leave in measured steps. His eyes shining in what seems to be interest.
"Yes son, that is what I meant. Stop looking." The older witch said as he eyed the shut door where Elijah sleeps. He is worried they have a new variable on the board. One that even Elijah can not control.
....
"Family meeting!" Katherine shouted.
They came out of their rooms even John, who has taken to sleeping in Jeremy's room came out. She can see the annoyance in their faces, hate from John but what can he do? He is angry that he wasn't able to fulfil Isobel's request even though it meant putting his daughter in danger.
"It has been three days and Isobel is almost here. We need a plan." Katherine said and there is silence in the room.
"What can we even do? She is a vampire and according to you, she is under compulsion." Jenna asks.
"Well, I'd suggest killing her." Damon said from the door way. In walked Stefan, Damon, Caroline and Bonnie.
"We heard you were causing trouble all day long in this house Kitty Kat what's your deal?" Damon sped and stood in front of her menacingly.
"That is simply not true, Damon. You yourself have been able to rest easy these days knowing I'm here protecting your love. You should be thankful to me instead of the hostility hot shot." Katherine glanced at Jenna who took several step back upon seeing the brothers.
"Not to mention, the two of you just walked in as if you own the place. The host is uncomfortable with your presence. You are creatures of the night after all. This is her home and you are trespassing. Me on the other hand gave her a killer massage last night and made her breakfast. I also share my clothes with her."
"Aunt Jenna!" Elena said with betrayal in her face.
"Why are you upset? I did offer you to use whatever you want as a thank you for the loan on your stuff." Katherine said.
"I'll rather walk naked." Elena said with distaste.
"That is not a bad idea." Damon said and everyone laughed.
Stefan walked to a frightened Jenna. speaking in hush tones trying to explain himself and apologize blah blah. Katherine tune them out and turned to Caroline.
"You broke my heart Care, I thought we were friends?" Katherine said to Caroline moving towards her making Caroline take several steps back.
"You are kidding right? You took her life and turned her into one of them." Bonnie said with anger.
"One of them? Shouldn't you be saying one of us instead?" Katherine looked at Bonnie with a tilted head.
"You are not human Bonnie, in some ways you are worse than the vampires whose every emotions are heightened to a hundredth of what a normal human feel, You led Mason to his death, an innocent young man who just wanted to keep his young brother safe."
"How do you live with that? You are the real monster here, not even Damon can compare to a person who did something so horrible under no influence of heightened emotions or hunger or lust. You're no better, you are worse." Katherine said her powerful accusations and made Bonnie realize the things that she has done since becoming a witch.
"I am the one who killed Mason, not Bonnie. If you are feeling sad about your dead boyfriend, You come at me." Damon got to her face and said. Katherine smiled at that.
"Okay. But Damon, you can't scream." She then pulled him gently and sat him on the chair. "Now, how did you torture Mason? Ah yes, wolfsbane let's use vervain ropes." She lifted her hand and Damon felt like he is chained by ropes dipped in vervain. and they burned into his skin. He held it in and did not scream.
"Now I want you to feel all that you did to him, one by one. Everything right up to the point where you ripped out his heart." Hearing her, Stefan rushed to pull his brother out of the chair but it seemed like he is making it worse.
"Don't worry Stefan, I loved him once, I wont kill him. He will just feel the pain and I have taken liberty to times it by a factor of three. Do you see it? He can't scream."
Damon moved in the chair but he is bound and every time he moves the pain shoots up a notch. Making him wish to pass out but he can't.
Stefan started begging "Katherine please let him go, just forgive him this one time. Okay we will do anything you want anything...please." Stefan begged Katherine had a complex look on her face, but in the end she shook her head.
Jenna had been dragged to the living room by John who then came back to watch the show. He is not happy with Katherine especially after she moved herself in the house and took up his space but he can't bring himself to dislike her in this moment.
Stefan seeing the pain driving his brother mad. The sound of something hitting the floor hard made everyone in the room take notice. Stefan looked at Katherine from a kneeling position. "Katherine, please spare him. You care about me right?" He asked and Elena ran from close to John but is held in place by her biological father.
"Stefan No!" Elena screamed from inside John's arms she struggled to save Stefan she can see the resigned look on his face and knows something bad is about to happen, she will loose him today if she doesn't do something.
"I will pledge my loyalty to you and will belong only to you. Just please spare my older brother." He said with a pleading voice but Katherine can see it in his eyes. He doesn't mean a word of what he is saying he just needs to save his brother.
"Belong only to me huh?" Katherine bend down and lifted up his chin. Stefan closed his eyes expecting her to accept his offer since she has always loved him.
"No deal." She let go of his face and stood up tall looking down on him. The sneer on her face a clear rejection.
"You are part of the problem Stefan, You and Elijah are the same group of people..." She is about to say something else when someone knocked on the door, Bonnie opened the door like a zombie, still stunned about what Katherine said to her.
"Someone called my name." Elijah is standing in the door way fixing his cufflinks. He then looked in Katherine's way with a small smile on his face. His heart beat rise whenever he sees her. Katherine only glanced at him and went back to speaking.
"Like I was saying Stefan, Damon is never going to change if you cuddle him and enable his behavior. I am not going to kill him, It is just a small punishment and a reminder the next time he get in my face and say "come at me" you see I am already being merciful. He will feel that which he inflicted on Mason times 3."
"The best part is when Mason died, I must admit I want to know if he will come out of it with his mind intact." She ended with a smile. After a while Damon looked even worse before he slumped on the chair.
"So he tortured him for 36 minutes? Very cruel." She turned to face Caroline. "Now. Where were we?"
Elena ran to Stefan and got him up while they then watched as Stefan took Damon home. Elena invited Elijah in and the meeting was about to start.
Elena told Elijah what happened to Damon. She didn't miss to explain who Mason was and how he was related to Katherine. All this while Katherine is on the phone talking to her friend who had Isobel followed.
"News is in, Isobel two cities away." Katherine looked at the line up, all these people look useless to her but they were able to get a jump on Katherine and lock her in a tomb.
"Can I finish with what I had called the family meeting for before all these people came in and ruined my mood?"
Jenna came back and the room became silent. Elena kept giving her the stink eye.
"Honestly Elena, I don't get why you are so angry with me?"
"You just tortured Damon and you're asking me that?" Elena asked.
"You should be happy I did what I did because then, maybe there will be hope for him to mend his ways, that way when you finally leave Stefan for him, he wont be such a bad person." Katherine said making Caroline giggle.
Some turned to her so she tried to school her expression, "What? It's funny." Caroline said meekly.
"Jenna, do these people make you uncomfortable? do you want me to kick them all out?" Katherine asked and Jenna just smiled and looked at Elena.
"They are her friends and the others are here to help." Jenna answered.
"Okay, as I was saying. I have found a perfect way to make amends to Elena and Jenna." She smiled happily.
"I would like to hear this perfect way." Elena snorted coldly.
"Anyways I have a way to gave you 2 of all the vampire powers without turning you into a vampire. But the mind will still be vulnerable to compulsion. So if one takes you and drain you of all the vervain in the blood, you're screwed." Katherine frowned in the end.
The room descended into chaos. Everyone got bated breath even Elijah is intrigued. Elena became more excited.
"So, choose one family member to transform. This way of gaining strength is the fastest since the hybrid is already on the way." Then she took out papers with what looks to be magical runes four to be exact and put them on the table.
Bonnie is drawn to them, before anyone can stop her she is already in front of the beautiful patterns studying them with great interest. Such pure magic.
"There are four options, accelerated healing, speed, age and strength. You can only have two. The vampire whose blood is used will affect the resulting abilities. If the vampire is 500 years, you will gain 20% of the ability.
The older the vampire the less power in comparison to them you will get which makes sense since you are still human after all, your body can only take so much. The closer to human possible age the vampire is the more power you are able to get, for instance if a vampire is 100 years old, you will have 50% of their power this will not diminish their own abilities. Think of it as coping."
"How old is the vampire you are using?" Elena asked.
"That depends, are you willing to forgive me now?" Katherine asked with a smirk. Elena realized she fell into a trap.
"Jenna, how do you find my bribe....wait, apology? Is it enough?" Katherine looked at Jenna making sad eyes at her.
"I might fall for those eyes if I didn't just watch you almost kill someone with your words alone." Jenna came towards Katherine and hesitantly took her hand into her own.
"You are definitely trying to turn over a new leaf, after living with you, and witnessing your efforts at winning me over I can agree to give you a chance." Jenna said and hugged her.
"Oh Jenna you have touched my cold dead heart. Okay, lets be lesbians together."
Laughter sounded and the previous tense atmosphere from Damon's torture slowly dissipated. Even Bonnie who has been comforted by Jeremy smiled at the joke.
"Only one person, so who will it be? Jeremy? Jenna, John? wait why do all your names have J except for Elena?" Katherine asked to no one in particular.
"We will stay here while you guys decide who will be enhanced." Katherine offered.
"What, not pushing your way into a family meeting?" Elena asked with a glare.
"You are so cute Elena, no. I'm still drunk from Jenna's warm hug. I'll let you have this one." Katherine said and poured herself a glass, she had stocked lot of alcohol in the house. She poured some for Elijah whom she had ignored since he came. She took purposeful steps towards Elijah and gave him a drink.
"I saw your show earlier and I must say, I am jealous of this Mason person you felt compelled to avenge." Elijah said in a low voice. There is obvious displeasure in his eyes, but he is smiling nonetheless.
"Haha.... Yes, you should be jealous he was a kind young man, you have lost that part of you to your brother, to time and to power. You can never get what you lost Elijah, so jealousy is appropriate." She said and Elijah felt the sting from her words.
"You wound me, Katharina." Elijah gave her sad eyes.
"Bleh.." Caroline made grossed out sounds while Bonnie nodded at her.
"Caroline." Katherine looked at her and smiled an unkind smile. "Do you want... my attention?"
"No thank you." Caroline answered very fast.
"Hehe.. don't be nervous, I was looking to make it up to you too, for... you know, killing you. And I have a perfect gift for you. If you forgive me for my transgressions and give me another chance to be your friend, I will increase your vampire power by a lot." Katherine looked at Caroline whose eyes widen.
"You want to apologize to me?" Caroline asked with disbelief evident in her voice.
"I did it without your concern and instead of snapping your neck I smattered you with a pillow. Dick move I know, which is why your apology is considerate." The unusual sincerity in her words caught everyone by surprise.
Elijah had to bite the inside of his mouth to stop himself from gasping. Can she really do such a thing? If ... she can become his.
"Look Katherine, you're a bitch. What you did to me was very painful and I died, 17 and I'm stuck here forever. My mom hate me, I have all these emotions that are a pain but I still need to push through and you did that to me. But you also gave me power, I can protect myself now and I will forgive you if you had just asked for it." Caroline said.
"Umm... I worked hard to get you your boost Caroline. Do you want it or not?" Katherine frowned. Elijah found it a little funny but he interjected.
"What Caroline is trying to say is for you to ask for her forgiveness normally." Elijah looked at Caroline for confirmation which he got in a form of a nod.
"Caroline please forgive me for killing you and the many bad things I did to you after. You can take your time and think about it slowly." Katherine said and Bonnie chuckled.
"That was painful to watch." She mummer.
"I agree." Jeremy said coming in and taking his place by Bonnie, he is followed by Jenna, Elena and John, Elena seems to have been crying.
"I forgive you. When will you be making me super powerful?" Caroline jumped on Katherine almost knocking her off the floor. Katherine laughed and caught her.
"Don't worry Elijah was just about to explain when." Katharine said and looked at Elijah with a question. Elijah realized Katharine will be using his blood for this particular apology. He became speechless.
"Why are we bothering the nice man in a suit?" Caroline askes in a hush tone.
"You said it yourself, he's nice, and most importantly he owes me."
"Oh, Okay." Caroline didn't return to her place after and just stayed next to Katherine.
"We have decided to give it to Jeremy or Elena."
"Jeremy then. Elena will be a sacrifice I don't know what will be the result if she is juiced up during the whole process."
"Can't we do it for both?" Jenna sat on the other side of Katherine. Looking at the two ladies on each side Katherine brought both of them closer to her.
"Looking at the two of you like this, I can understand the allures of blond and beautiful." Her voice changed into that of a hooligan, her face moving from one to the other with hooded eyes. Both ladies ran away from her. "Haha.." Katherine laughed at them.
"I am not yet strong enough to do this in one month, This doesn't just happen you know. Soul power is consumed to transfer power from one place to another place. If it was that easy, low level witches like this girl would have done it along time ago. This is ancient language."