(1) Bloodlines: The Curse (A Vampire Dairies Fanfiction)

19. What is happening?

There weren't very many moments that Alex could remember where she had felt such panic. Mikael's words had hit her so hard that she hadn't been able to comprehend what was happening. But Klaus was in Mystic Falls, or at least on his way, and they still had no idea what to expect. He could have already been here for some time, under all of their noses. Alex liked to believe that he wouldn't have been able to slip in so easily, but then again, Klaus had endless resources—and probably a few dozen witches on hand.

When the words had sunk in, Alex had called James. They went to work in getting any possible advantage they could have ready. Then she called Elena and had her come home from school, same with Jeremy. From there, it wasn't long before everyone had converged on the Gilbert household.

Alex was standing in the kitchen, leaning against the counter, trying to think of what to do. Elena was sitting at the head of the table, with Stefan on one side, Jenna on the other. Jeremy hadn't said a word, but Alex had noticed how his concern was flashing between both Elena and Bonnie. Bonnie had asked what they could do, as had Damon, who was standing out on the front porch. The only person who hadn't show up was Alaric; it seemed he wasn't answering his phone.

"You don't think Klaus has hurt Alaric?" asked Jenna.

Damon scoffed from the front porch. "What for? To him, he is just another human, not a threat."

"I'm sure he's fine," said Stefan.

"He's probably just lost his phone again," added Elena.

"What's the plan here?" asked Damon.

"How do we act against someone that we don't know?" asked Caroline.

"What is Elijah doing? Shouldn't he be here?" asked Damon. He leant his hands on either side of the doorframe. "Doesn't he at least have a photo of his brother?"

Alex sighed. "We don't really have a lot of options." Pushing away from the counter.

"He might not even be here yet," said Elena, "and I really don't want to hide away in this house when I have this I would like to be doing."

"Exactly," exclaimed Caroline, "we have a dance to set up."

Elena and Bonnie sighed.

"A school dance is hardly important," said Damon.

"Shut up, Damon," snapped Caroline.

"He is right," said Alex. The words tasted like ash in her mouth, but a school dance didn't matter when Elena's life was hanging in the balance.

"We have time," said Stefan, "the full moon is still a few weeks away."

"Klaus has no need of me until he has everything else," said Elena.

"Where even is the moonstone?" asked Damon.

Alex was the only one in the room that knew. It was currently residing in her bedroom, sealed inside a small box.

"Wasn't it with Katherine in the tomb?" asked Bonnie.

All eyes turned to Alex. "It's safe."

"Safe is where exactly?" asked Stefan.

"If I am the only one who knows where it is, the fewer people that can hand it over to Klaus." Alex crossed her arms. "I have no intention of allowing him to get it."

The group fell silent. Alex turned to look at Elena, who was already looking at her.

Elena said, "I think we all just need to keep acting like everything is normal. If we can make Klaus think that we don't know about him, it could give us an advantage."