New Blood (The Vampire Diaries - Book 2)

Chapter 4 - The Killer

Stefan was kneeling next to Nate's headless body, talking to Klaus over the phone. "How the hell did Connor escape?"

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Klaus was in Italy, where a team of compelled humans were digging up Alexander. "I blame mind-numbing incompetence, but pointing fingers isn't gonna help me. You're gonna help me."

Stefan: (over phone) "Well, he could be anywhere now."

"Think, Stefan," Klaus told him. "He took the hybrid's head, which means he wants werewolf toxin."

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Stefan came to a realization. "Which means he plans to stay in Mystic Falls to kill vampires.

Klaus: (over phone) "Which is a pity as I'm half the world away digging up a dead Hunter. You'll have no access to my blood and therefore the antidote. Nevertheless, his tattoo is our only map to the cure, so your task is quite simple. Find him, catch him and above all, keep him alive. He's no good to us dead."

"Damon's been looking everywhere for him," Stefan told him. "If they cross paths--"

Klaus: (over phone) "You need to keep Damon in check."

"It'd be a lot easier if I could just tell him the truth," Stefan said.

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"You trust Damon with the Cure?" Klaus asked. "I imagine he prefers Elena the way she is."

Stefan: (over phone) "Nice try, Klaus, but I trust Damon a hell of a lot more than I trust you."

"And I trust no one, which is why my sisters are lying daggered in boxes," Klaus stated. "The more who find out about the Cure, the more who will go after it. Nations have gone to war over less. You mark my words, tell one soul and I'll throw the Hunter's Sword in the Mediterranean and we can end this quest right now. Am I understood?"

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Stefan hung up, annoyed that he had to keep this secret.

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Stefan had called Klaus after learning that Connor was holding Jeremy, Matt and April captive in the Mystic Grill.

"You expect me to care about bloody hostages?" Klaus asked.

"Well, you should," Stefan answered. "Damon does, so does Caroline, Tyler, Elena. If any of them get to Connor, then you just wasted a trip to Italy. I can buy us some time, but Damon's getting antsy. So, if you want Connor alive, you'd better get your hybrids onboard with my plan."

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Tyler and a hybrid named Dean were talking in the living room of the Lockwood Mansion.

Riley and Hayley were standing in the hallway, eavesdropping.

"Look, man, this guy is dangerous," Tyler said. "He's highly trained, he's armed--"

"I can handle myself," Dean told him. "Besides, Klaus asked me personally."

Dean started to walk away as Caroline walked in.