A life in the shadows

35

Klaus managed to get Bonnie to go look for a way to save Tyler and Matt went with her. There was an awkward silence for a moment before Rebekah broke it.
"So this is the latest doppelgänger. The original one was much prettier."
"Rebekah..." Siobhan said in a warning tone.
"Enough, Rebekah. Take the wolf boy elsewhere, would you?" Klaus cut her off.
"Fine." She started dragging Tyler behind her. "Silvie, you're coming with me."
"No she's not." Klaus scowled and Siobhan glared at him.
"Like you're the boss of me." She rolled her eyes. Matteo, sensing she wanted some time alone with her sister, nodded at her to leave.
"I'll stay here with Elena. It's okay." He assured her and she nodded before following Rebekah out.
"So what happened to Katherine?"
"For God's sake Klaus. I'm in love with Siobhan. Not Katherine. I'm over Katherine and nothing is going to change that. So just... get over it because I plan on being with Siobhan for the rest of my life."
"What do you see in her?"
"I get that the whole concept of love is hard for you to grasp, but it's a collection of things that makes me love her. From her smile to her eyes, her beauty to her intelligence. She's strong and smart and perfect in every way."
"Oh gross." He scowled.
"Who are the two humans over there, Klaus?" Matteo asked. He walked over to them and they cringed away in fear. He crouched down and peered at them closely. "Klaus what are they doing here?"
"They were here for senior prank night."
"Let them go. Now."
"Absolutely not." Klaus scoffed and Matteo narrowed his eyes. "They're leverage!"
"They're teenagers. You've dragged enough kids into your psychopathic fantasies."
"You've already got me, please just let them go." Elena pleaded.
"Where's the fun in that?" Matteo glared at Niklaus some more before crouching next to the kids. He looked for their energies and saw Klaus's influence wrapped tight around them like a noose. His dark tendrils swirled around and Matteo reached out as though to grab them. A light emitted from his hands and it was like he'd erased the Klaus from them. He couldn't see Klaus's influence on them anymore. They looked at him confused, but then the confusion turned into fear. He put a finger to his lips and they stared at him wide eyed. Matteo didn't know he had the power to manipulate auras. It probably had something to do with his recent adventures with the banshee host. Once Matteo was sure that they wouldn't say anything he turned back to Klaus and stood in front of them, protectively. "And for God's sake let go of Elena."
"Well, it's not like she could get anywhere." Klaus said and let go of his grip. She rubbed her arm and Matteo gestured for her to get behind him and she did. She started comforting Dana and Chad and Matteo smiled slightly. Elena really was different to Katherine. The gym door opened loudly, and they all looked up to see Stefan. Matteo frowned then- no way would this have a happy ending.
"Stefan..." Elena breathed out, but he ignored her.
"Klaus." Stefan called him.
"Come to save your damsel, mate?" He mocked.
"I came to ask for your forgiveness. And pledge my loyalty."
"Stefan, don't-" Matteo started but Klaus talked over him.
"Well, you broke that pledge once already."
"Elena means nothing to me anymore. And whatever you ask of me," He paused and Matteo looked over to Elena sympathetically, "I will do."
"Fair enough. Let's drink on it. Kill them." Klaus pointed at Dana and Chad. When Stefan didn't move, he spoke again. "What are you waiting for? Kill them."
"He'll do no such thing." Matteo glared at Klaus.
"Go on, then. It's no different to what you did all summer."
"No! Stefan, don't. He's not going to hurt me. He already said-" Klaus sped and hit Elena faster than Matteo could comprehend. He moved closer to Elena, checking to see if she was okay, while Stefan tried to run at Klaus. Klaus grabbed him by the throat, effectively stopping him.
"She means nothing to you? Your lies just keep piling up."
"Klaus. Leave him alone." Matteo said.
"Stay out of this Matteo."
"No, okay? I won't. I've had enough. Klaus, leave these people alone. Don't you think you've already fucked up their lives? I mean, you killed Elena's aunt, and her father sacrificed himself so that she would live after you killed her. And you forced Stefan to kill for you for the past few months. You just killed an innocent guy to push Bonnie to find a way to save him. The same Bonnie you tried to kill because she was trying to save her friend. Let's not forget the two humans who you compelled that I have no doubt you have sadistic plans for."
"Congratulations, you're getting to know me."
"No. It's wrong, and I won't just stand by."
"So what are you going to do to stop me? Kill me? We both know you wouldn't even if you could. Which you can't. I'm unbeatable."
"If you want to hurt these guys, you'll have to go through me. Good luck with that."
"Don't, Matt. Just step aside. We're on friendly enough terms, have been since we first met. Are we really gonna blow it here."
"Friendly terms? Come on, Klaus, it's like while we've been in Mystic Falls, you've used any and every excuse to be a dick. I mean, name one person who's life you haven't tried to ruin here."
"Yours."
"Not for lack of trying. Try again."
"Enough. I don't have to listen to this. I am the original hybrid."
"Whatever. I'm not letting you hurt them."
"Let her go! I'll do whatever you want, you have my word!" Stefan said, not wanting his brother to end up in a conflict with Klaus, the strongest creature to exist.
"Your word doesn't mean much. I lived by your word all summer, during which time I never had to resort to this..."
"Klaus, what are you-?" It dawned on Matteo then. Klaus was going to compel him. Matteo leaped into the air and before anyone could blink, he was between Klaus and his brother on the ground. They all assumed he just jumped. "No. Absolutely not."
"Choose one. Your brother or the other innocents."
"I won't let you hurt any of them."
"Question is, can you move fast enough to save them and your brother?"
"You don't want to kill Elena yet, or she'd be dead the second you walked into the school. And you've obviously had this entire evening planned out- including the two humans over there. But I know your moves Klaus. I won't let you."
"Let me?" He scoffed and looked around before punching Matteo in the face. Matteo touched his cheek slightly before raising a brow.
"Come on. Siobhan hits harder than you." Matteo said. "And I'm saying it because she's not an original vampire, not because she's a girl."
"Ah, yes. Siobhan. Everything's about her, isn't it?"
"She's not why you're such a dick."
"You're really going to marry her? You believe she loves you enough."
"I believe she loves me, and I love her. That's all there is to it."
"She's going to end up breaking your heart. She left once. What's going to stop her from leaving again?"
"The fact that she feels safe with me and not with you." Matteo spat. "I don't understand your constant need to refuse happiness for others, especially your family."
"Silvia was right about one thing. She's not my family."
"I'm not going to get into that with you right now, Klaus." Klaus stared Matteo down before quickly snapping his neck.