Time passed. Two more years went by like this. I earned Grayson's trust, and he even introduced me to his little Nazi circle.
Tough luck for them—someone with loose lips eventually passed word all the way to Elijah, claiming I was funding a group of Nazis hunting vampires.
Elijah wiped out their compounds by the dozen and slaughtered hundreds of them, some misguided revenge against me. What a shame—they seemed such charming fellows.
Little by little, Grayson started letting Miranda come over to see Jenna, though he still forbade her from speaking to her own parents.
What irked me most was how Miranda simply obeyed him without question. Honestly—what fanaticism does to people. Tragic. And sadly, I won't be able to spare her when Grayson dies.
I'd hoped to save her, but it seems that's out of the question. Leaving her widowed would put Jenna in too much danger.
"Uncle Nik, can we take Harry and Iris outside to play?" Elena tugged at my trousers, looking up at me.
At first I tried not to show her any affection, but it's proving impossible. I've grown attached.
"Just don't go too far from the yard," I said, brushing her hair gently.
"Yesss!" She beamed and ran off, taking Harry's hand in one and Iris's in the other.
Damn it—damn it all. Why does this keep happening? I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated.
I need more power. And soon. I have to find a way to break this curse.
After sitting back and enjoying quiet—Elena watching the children, Jeremy with them too, Jenna at work—I decided to play my final card.
I waited until Jenna came home, got the children settled, then made sure Jenna would sleep soundly until morning before heading out.
I appeared at Sheila's door. It swung open, and she glared at me.
"What do you want?" she snapped, standing in the doorway.
"I think it would be better if we spoke inside," I said, stepping closer. "I've already been invited, after all."
"No. Say what you need to say out here," she said sharply. I felt it—a barrier woven around the house.
Doubtless some ward meant to keep powerful beings away.
Very well then.
I raised my hand. Time stopped. With a simple flick of my wrist, the barrier shattered like glass.
"Now can we talk?" I asked, smiling. She stared, shaken.
"Fine," she muttered, stepping aside. "What does an ancient vampire want here? This barrier holds back vampires a hundred years old with ease."
"Let's just say I'm above average," I said, keeping it brief as I settled onto her sofa. "I want to speak with Qetsiyah."
Sheila's eyes went wide. She took a step back.
"How do you know that name?" She snarled, raising her hands—magic coiling there. "Speak."
I leaned back and laughed.
"Do you truly think you stand a chance against me?" I sighed, letting my true power slip through for just a moment.
Something I learned early on—vampires could suppress their magic to hide their true age.
Once you know the trick, you sense others' power, and you dampen your own so they underestimate you.
Klaus, before I took over, was the type to let his power bleed out. A compensation, I suppose, for feeling small. Not that this body is small—I wouldn't know.
But I hide mine. I want my enemies exactly where Sheila is now—shaken and unprepared.
I smiled at her. Her hands trembled, her breath came fast, and I heard her heart hammering away.
"What… what are you?" She backed away, voice shaking, eyes wide. Then everything shifted.
Her posture relaxed. Her eyes gleamed, amused.
"Klaus Mikaelson… the great evil," she said, voice bright, almost giddy. "I'm such a fan. One day you'll be the crown jewel of my collection."
So. The one I sought had arrived.
I sat up straight. I was speaking to one of the most powerful beings who ever lived.
"Flattered as I am by the invitation, I must decline for now," I said pleasantly. "I've come to propose an arrangement."
"Oh? What sort of arrangement?" Qetsiyah tilted her head. "Do tell."
"I help you kill Silas," I chose my words carefully, "and in return, you show me how to break my curse without sacrificing the current doppelgänger."
"Why would I do that? I can send beings far stronger than you after Silas," she said, genuinely curious. "Why would I make you more powerful?"
That's it—you've shown me the way, witch.
"We both know true immortality doesn't exist," I said, a faint smile touching my lips. "When I fall… wouldn't an Original hybrid be a finer prize for your collection than just another Original? Besides—why would they obey you? You cannot simply step into this world in your full power and true form. And I'm certain anything you send with less than eighty percent of your power… even I could defeat it."
"You have a point," she mused, extending a hand. "Bring me Silas's head, and I will give you the means to break your curse. And—Gaia is quite pleased by your children's birth."
I froze.
"What do you mean?" Anger flared in my chest.
"It's nothing bad," she said, smiling. "It means—thanks to them—vampires are no longer unnatural. What follows… you will discover soon enough."
"Ah, and one more thing…" Her gaze turned sharp, warning clear. "Don't frighten dear Sheila like that again, or I shall be cross with you."
Her body shuddered, and Sheila sank to her knees.
"What… what happened?" Sheila murmured, dazed.
I stood and walked to the door.
"Nothing at all. Thank you," I said, stepping out and leaving her there.