Passion and Danger (The Vampire Diaries)

The Killer

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

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

"Well, he could be anywhere now," Stefan said.

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

"Which means he plans to stay in Mystic Falls to kill vampires," Stefan replied.

"Which is a pity as I'm half a world away digging up a dead Hunter," Klaus said. "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--"

"You need to keep Damon in check," Klaus told him.

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

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

"Nice try, Klaus," Stefan answered. "But I trust Damon a hell of a lot more than I trust you."

"And I don't trust no one," Klaus told him. "Which is why my sister is lying daggered in a box. 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 into the Mediterranean and we can end this quest right now. Am I understood?"

Stefan hung up.

~*~*~

Stefan had called Klaus again 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."

~*~*~

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

Nina was 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.

Tyler followed Dean. "This is a bad idea."

Caroline looked at Nina in surprised confusion. "Oh, my God."

"You know, it's rude to stare at people," Nina said, annoyed.

Caroline shook her head. "I'm sorry, it's just you look a lot like someone I know."

Nina rolled her eyes.

Hayley walked closer, looking at Nina. "Hey, any luck with Dean?"

Caroline's gaze shifted to Hayley. "Uh, who are you?"