Bound By Fate

Chapter Eighteen

Once I arrived home, I started packing my things, before getting dressed for the Decade Dance. Even though I’m upset, my sister and friends worked hard on this dance and I already said I would go. Plus, Klaus and I agreed to go together anyhow. I’m wearing a black and silver Gatsby dress with a black headband which has a silver feather in it. Pearls around my neck, the silver bracelet Klaus gave me a few months ago, nylon stockings, and black heels. I left my hair down, just curling it a bit. When Klaus picks me up, I can’t help but admit that he is quite handsome indeed.

Upon our arrival, the party is in full swing and Klaus guides me into the crowd, leading the dance we share.

Klaus: “You would’ve loved the 20s, Love. The girls were reckless and daring. They would literally dance till they dropped.”

I giggle, unable to help myself.

Allison: “Sounds fun. Maybe we could do that tonight, before you take me away from here.”

His usual confident smirk becomes a soft smile.

Klaus: “I will take you wherever you wish to go. What made you want to come with me?”

Allison: “It just feels right. I’ve been betrayed too many times here, by those who supposedly care about me. I need a change of pace.”

He seems sympathetic as he gazes into my eyes.

Klaus: “I will never betray you, Love. If there’s ever anything you wish of me, I will give it to you.”

I spot my sister with Tyler over his shoulder. I know she can hear us by the sad look in her eyes.

Allison: “There’s one thing I would like to request before we leave here.”

Klaus: “What is it, Love?”

Allison: “Please don’t hurt my sister and friends.”

He nods.

Klaus: “I promise.”

I smile before kissing his cheek. We continue our dance, enjoying our time with each other. When the song is over, he excuses himself to find his sister. As he walks away, Caroline finds me and drags me to an empty room.

Allison: “Caroline,”

Caroline: “You’re leaving with Klaus?”

Allison: “Yes. I know it’s totally crazy, but I have feelings for him.”

Caroline: “Ally, he’s evil. He’s practically the devil.”

She’s clearly frustrated with me as she tries to shake some sense into me. I put my hands on her shoulders.

Allison: “It’s okay. He promised to leave everyone here in peace. He does want to take Elena, but if I go with him, he won’t be so harsh with her. Also, I’m hoping I can convince him to let her stay here.”

Caroline: “You’re too nice and so naive. What makes you think you can change him? He’s been around for over 1,000 years.”

I sigh before answering her.

Allison: “I can’t guarantee anything, Care. I’m only human. I just have a feeling that if I don’t go, I may regret it for the rest of my life. I owe it to myself to at least give him a chance. I’m not asking you to understand, but I will ask you to trust me. It’s not like I’ll be gone forever.”

Her eyes tear up before she pulls me into a hug.

Caroline: “I love you, Ally. If anything happens, please call me.”

Allison: “I promise. I love you too.”

As we try to calm down, we hear the door swing open and look over to see Damon.

Damon: “Sorry to spoil this touching sister moment, but we have a problem.”

I roll my eyes.

Allison: “When is there not a problem around here?”

Caroline: “What is it now, Damon?”

Damon: “All vampires are trapped in the school, while Esther has Elena and Alaric. Bonnie is trying to undo the spell keeping us trapped here.”

The news is both stunning and yet not entirely surprising, seeing as this kind of thing has been happening a lot lately. We think we’re done with a problem and yet it comes right back.

Caroline: “I’ll find Tyler.”

She hurries off.

Allison: “I’ll go grab my gear.”

Damon looks at me like I’m crazy.

Damon: “What gear?”

Allison: “My vampire hunter gear. I had Caroline stash some of it in her locker, just in case she or her friends needed to protect themselves here.”

Damon: “That’s handy. I’ll go with you.”

He joins me as I retrieve my weapons and then leads me to Alaric’s classroom, where Bonnie is doing a spell while Stefan, Jeremy, Klaus, and a boy I don’t know, are waiting. Klaus spots my vampire hunting gear and gives me a questioning look.

Klaus: “Love, what is all this?”

Allison: “My hunting gear. My mom is part of the council and the sheriff, if you’ll recall. I can protect myself.”

Klaus: “Glad to hear it, but you shouldn’t have to.”

Damon: “She’s proven herself a force to be weary of, a few times.”

We quiet down, trying to let Bonnie concentrate on the spell, but Klaus is getting impatient.

Klaus: “What’s taking so long? All boundary spells have a loophole.”

We hear the door slam open as Matt hurries in.

Matt: “People are walking right out of the dance, past the barrier.”

Jeremy: “If Matt, Allison, and I can leave, we can stop Esther ourselves. We just gotta find out where she is.”

Stefan: “It’s suicide, Jeremy.”

Allison: “Why? Just because we’re human?”

Before I know what’s happening, Klaus vamp-speeds over and lifts the boy, whose name I still don’t know, into the air by his throat.

Klaus: “Suicide would be disappointing me. Now, work your magic, witch, or I’ll start killing people you fancy.”

Bonnie: “Let him go.”

Klaus: “Not until you get us out of here.”

Allison: “Nik, leave him alone.”

Stefan casually walks over to him.

Stefan: “Ah, don’t be stupid, Klaus. Bonnie doesn’t give a damn about us. The only reason she’s helping right now is to save Caroline and Tyler. You start killing the people she cares about, she’ll tell us all to go to hell. [boy gasps for air.] Not to mention, Allison might not forgive you for it either.”

Klaus hesitates for a moment before letting go of the boy and backing away from him.

Klaus: “Fine, just hurry it up.”

The longer it takes, the more antsy we become. The dance is over, all the students and chaperons left, leaving only our group. Klaus and Damon are still in the room with Bonnie, while the rest of us join Tyler and Caroline in the gym. Jeremy gives Stefan a vial of his blood, so Bonnie can do a locator spell. Matt, Jeremy, and I are hanging out at the entrance, very worried about Elena and Alaric, when Damon and Stefan come over, telling us where we can find them. The two brothers begrudgingly let the three of us leave to save Elena. If they weren’t stuck in the school, there’s no way they would’ve allowed the three of us to do this.

On our way to the cemetery, Matt got his rifle, I gave Jeremy my crossbow, and I have my pistol. Our only concern is whether we’ll make it in time to save Elena and Alaric from Esther. When we arrive, we find Esther and take aim.

Matt: “Don’t move.”

Jeremy: “Where’s Elena?”

She comes out of the tomb.

Elena: “Jeremy?”

Allison: “Let her go.”

The three of us cautiously close in on Esther.

Esther: “How foolish of you to risk your lives in defense of those who will kill you. But if that is your choice.”

She slowly lifts her hands, causing the three of us to aim at each other. Jeremy is aiming at Matt, Matt at me, and me at Jeremy.

Jeremy: “Matt, Allison, drop your weapons!”

Matt: “I can’t! I’m not controlling it!”

Allison: “Elena, do something!”

I’m tearing up at the thought that I might be forced to kill Jeremy right now. I might never get to see Caroline or the others.

Elena: “Esther, stop it!”

Just as I’m about to squeeze the trigger, Esther’s magic is broken, and I fall to the ground as my legs fail me. I look up to see Esther’s body collapse with Alaric standing beside Elena. Everyone else is okay too.

Alaric: “Oh my god. Where’s my ring?”

I slowly get up and steady myself as I walk over to join them.

Alaric: “Tell me what happened.”

Elena fills us in on everything that happened between her, Esther, and Alaric. Not long after, Klaus, Damon, and Stefan show up. Whether he admits it or not, I can tell, seeing his mother’s lifeless body is making Klaus very emotional. When he sees me, he quickly scans my body for any signs of injury.

Klaus: “Are you alright, Love? She didn’t hurt you, did she?”

Allison: “I’m okay, Nik. Everything’s fine.”

Klaus: “We’ll talk about this tomorrow. For now, I need to take care of my mother’s body.”

I nod, and he kisses my forehead before lifting Esther’s body and leaving.