Through the Darkness

Chapter 20: A Family United

The shock that every member of his family wore on their face after hearing his news gave Klaus a sense of satisfaction. He knew that any doubts about his plan to bring Hugo back should be stifled by this revelation.

Elijah was the first to speak. "Niklaus, would you care to explain exactly how this newfound power of yours works?"

"Well, at first, I was only seeing glimpses while I was asleep. I chalked them up to something akin to nightmares, only lasting mere moments. Then, as I was preparing the orders for dinner, a clear vision of our hometown of Mystic Falls came into view and I knew that I was seeing through his eyes."

"So, these have been random visions – you have no control over it?" Elijah asked.

"They were random until today. After the vision I just spoke of, I concentrated on John's face and I was able to link to him somehow. Again, it was brief, but enough to allow me to see where he was. I then tried it again, concentrating on a command. I demanded to see Lily Salvatore and, after a moment, there she was."

Rebekah's icy stare caught Klaus's attention. He raised an eyebrow at her as she began to speak. "Why do I get the feeling you're not telling us everything?"

"Ah, the distrust continues. No matter. I'm not surprised."

"Well, you can hardly blame us, Niklaus," Elijah interjected. "Suddenly, you announce that you have a new power and you've decided to trust all of us? Forgive us for being suspicious."

"If Camille wasn't the one I was protecting, I would be telling her all of this and keeping you all in the dark. Does that make you feel any better?"

The siblings all looked at each other in a questioning manner. Klaus continued, "I, for one, am relieved that I have acquired this new gift because I will be able to watch Hugo from the safety of our home here once I return. Any wrong move he would be foolish enough to make against us will be made known to me before he even has a chance to act."

"What if you return without Camille?" Elijah asked. "Forgive me, Brother, but I remember your grief so long ago and how it led us into many unnecessary wars."

"I have every reason to believe that Camille will triumph and she will fight alongside us if the need arises. She is one of us now, in every way that matters."

Freya stood up suddenly and raised her glass. "No disrespect to Elijah, but as the eldest of you all, I still support Niklaus, whether we agree with him or not. We are a family and we should act like one. 'Always and forever,' so I'm told."

Rebekah crossed her arms in protest and rolled her eyes. "I still don't forgive you, Nik. As absurd as all of this sounds, I will defend my home and my family if need be."

Elijah looked directly at Klaus. "I agree to this lunacy on one condition: you will defer to Freya and myself to handle the situation if anything goes wrong. You will trust us as we are trusting you and you will carry out our wishes without complaint."

Klaus grunted in response.

"Without complaint," Elijah reiterated loudly.

Swallowing his pride, Klaus nodded. "Agreed."

Cami sat in the nursery, rocking Hope to sleep. As the little girl lay against her chest, Cami focused on the feeling of her small breaths against her skin, the scent of her hair, and the little fists holding tight to her shirt. She could honestly say she loved her. Knowing that she may never get the chance to be with her again, Cami tried to enjoy every moment with her. As content as she felt, it was made better when the love of her life walked into the nursery, making her grin with joy.