The next days were chaotic. But war probably always brought chaos with it. It was Klaus and Grace against not-so-saint Stefan and his friends. A week of threats and acts of a massive pissing contest passed and Grace grew more and more estranged with her sister. Grace was now the enemy and now one was trusting her anymore. But the feeling was mutual.
With every day, Grace grew colder and more reckless. She fed a lot, never having true control over herself. Thankfully she had a bunch of hybrids that covered up a mess. It was pretty helpful that Klaus told his minions to listen to Grace's orders. They left her alone when she grew sick of her bodyguards but also were really good at letting bodies disappear.
Still, Grace continued to reside at her home. Elena and her didn't speak a word with each other. There was nothing to add to their fight. At some point, Grace stopped caring about it. The hateful and disappointed glances only amused her.
Another night, Grace witnessed something interesting. After a long day of trying to make Stefan break, she came home to see Damon and Elena on the porch. Grace hid herself for a moment to listen in on their conversation, but it was just emotional bullshit. Seconds later, she heard kissing noises coming from the porch, which honestly surprised her. Everyone knew that Damon was into his brother's girl, but never would her sister have imagined that Elena would return those feelings. It was quite bitchy, even for Elena.
For a second, the cold grasp of jealousy squeezed her heart. Why didn't she deserve to have a moment with her loved one? Elena was there, making out with Damon, while his brother sat god knows where, keeping Elijah captive. But to be honest, Elena didn't even know that her sister was involved with the man that betrayed them all. It better stayed like that for some time, but of course it resulted in the doppelgänger having no clue why Grace helped the enemy.
She clenched her fists and put back on her cold, unemotional mask. When she went by the kissing couple she only chuckled amused, to which they both pulled apart immediately. They looked at her with confused and shocked glances.
"Oh, don't let me bother you. Please just don't be too loud if this gets more cozy, I honestly need to sleep."
Their mouths hung wide open and they panted, not knowing what to reply. It looked rather silly.
"...And Damon, tell your brother to return the coffins...again."
She flashed Damon a sweet smile, before she tapped him on his shoulder and disappeared inside.
...
"You know that this is sick, don't you?"
Grace said as she entered Klaus' new home. He was standing next to Rebekah's coffin and she felt anger rose inside her. Why didn't he just undagger her? She could help them in this situation.
"Don't pout, love. I'll reunite them soon."
Shaking her head, Grace walked closer to the coffin and stroked its lid.
"You know, she's also my friend. And I honestly would love to have all my friends together, awake and at peace. The sooner you do that, the easier it'll be."
"So you finally admit that we're friends?"
Klaus said with a sly smile on his face. He laughed when she nudged him. Grace grinned over his childishness, but simply rolled her eyes. She should stop denying to herself that she was actually getting along quite well with him.
Sighing, she leaned against the coffin and looked around the construction site. From the outside, the mansion looked like a damn castle. Klaus had a good taste, properly formed throughout the centuries. She couldn't wait to help him choosing expensive decorative piece, which would give the house some character and would make it a true home.
"You won't believe what I just saw. My sister really seems to switch brothers. Caught her with Damon on my porch."
Klaus faked a vomit and they both laughed. Usually he wasn't interested in the newest doppelgänger gossip, but it this time it could be of use. But it only worried him more, because this development brought the thought closer that Elena would eventually die in this feud between the Salvatore-brother. He couldn't have that.
"Besides from spreading gossip, what are we up to today in the getting my family back problem?"
After pacing around the room thinking for a while, Grace came to a halt in front of window. The sunlight shone through it, warming her skin.
"Well, I have to go to the council meeting tonight. I enjoy nothing more than to raise funds for the restoring of the bridge my parents died on. Have I mentioned that you'll also come?"
Her voice dripped of sarcasm, to which Klaus rose an eyebrow. He didn't really know the story of her parent's death. Probably he wasn't even interested.
"Why would I?"
Sighing, Grace turned around to face him.
"Because, in order to defy Stefan, you need the locals on your side. They don't trust you and are frightened by your hybrids. You won't come far if you have those annoying vampire haters on your heels."
He placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a determined look.
"Good thing that you're in the council and will keep them from doing stupid things. Come on, you can make a donation in my name and everything will be fine."
Sometimes, even a thousand year old man wasn't clever enough to see where alliances were important. Usually, Klaus simply killed people who stood in his way, but here he wanted to built a home, so he should integrate into the society.
"Do I look like your wife? No, you can do your dirty work on your own. Charm the mayor into looking the other way, old man."
Rolling his eyes, he nodded. But before he could reply anything else, someone new joined them in the house. Stefan. Wow, he had guts to show up here.
"Stefan. I thought you left town the minute I set you free."
The younger vampire smiled to himself.
"You know what, Klaus, I don't like your hybrids. I want them gone."
Grace's eyebrows rose in surprise. Was he stupid or just really brave? Maybe both, or maybe it was simply his emotion-rollercoaster.
"Oh, they're actually pretty helpful. Just ignore them, they won't do anything to you if you finally give me my coffins back."
Stefan chuckled, he seemed to find the situation pretty funny.
"Well, I could just drop Elijah at the bottom of the arctic, if you don't do as I say."
Grace's hands clenched into fists and a low growl escaped her lips. She knew that was exactly the reaction Stefan wanted to see, but when it came to Elijah, Grace wasn't up to games. But as she wanted to step closer to Stefan, Klaus stopped her.
"Maybe loosing one brother is worth in exchange to taking the life of yours."
Klaus's smirk was devious and that's when Grace knew that he was bluffing. He wouldn't risk Elijah's life.
"Nice try, Klaus."
Stefan said and suddenly turned around, chopping the head of an approaching hybrid off. The hybrid's and the vampire's eyes widened as the dead body fell to the ground. Grace could see that Klaus was raging, but he didn't make a move.
"One dead. Sent the others away, or you won't have any minions to play with anymore."
...
The evening went just as Grace planned it. She strutted through the Founder's Hall at Klaus' arm, trying to avoid thinking about the cause of this fundraiser. It seemed so far away and long ago that her parents died, but the pain still felt as strong as on the first day when she thought about it. This feeling got worse when she became a vampire, probably because of the heightened emotions.
She was fortunately ripped out of her dark thoughts when Grace saw Carol Lockwood. Tapping on Klaus' arm, she got his attention and led him to the mayor. Perfectly charming, he greeted her with a smile and placed a kiss on the back of her hand, to which Carol faked a smile. She definitely held a grudge against the hybrid, especially now that Klaus turned her son into a vampire.
"I'm sorry for not introducing myself in person yet. My name is Klaus Mikaelson. It's a pleasure to meet you, mayor Lockwood."
Now it was Grace turn to wanting to vomit. He was really trying to charm her in that way. Disgusting.
"Good evening. I've heard you want to reside in my town for a while?"
Carol's voice was friendly, but it was clear that she rather be somewhere else than chatting with the potentially dangerous hybrid.
"I actually would love to stay longer than a while. Of course I then want to participate in this beautiful town's society. Has our dearest Grace shared with you that me and my family were born here centuries before your founders arrived here?"
Carol gazed at her suspiciously. Grace knew that she also lost a lot of the mayor's trust, but still it seemed like Carol couldn't help but like the orphan girl.
"Yes, she has. You know, Mr. Mikaelson, I would be very glad to welcome you into our society, but you need to understand that we're all quite worried if you'll bring...turmoil here."
Klaus grabbed two champagne glasses and handed them to the women next to him. Watching the conversation, Grace took a sip.
"If you mean my hybrids by turmoil, I can assure you that they mean no harm to you. You know, I've only experienced the pain of turning twice in my thousand years of lifetime and I can assure you that the werewolves are very grateful to not have to go through it anymore."
He was going onto the more private bait. Clever, but maybe a way too sensitive subject, as Carol probably wasn't too happy that her own son is amongst the hybrids.
"Carol, I promise that I just want to live a peaceful life here. Let's work together and we can all achieve this common goal."
The mayor tensed a bit, she was obviously afraid of Klaus but tried to hide it. She glanced again at Grace and then sighed.
"Well, Grace is a trusted member of our society and I trust her judgement. If you see it fitting to welcome Mr. Mikaelson into our town, I'm happy to share her opinion."
It was a lot of responsibility Carol put on her slim shoulder, but also it was a showing of her trust in her. Grace shot Klaus a serious gaze, but then smiled and held up her glass.
"Then, Klaus, I'm honored to officially welcome you to Mystic Falls."
A satisfied grin spread on Klaus' face and Grace couldn't help but think that she created a monster here. But it was inevitable. Klaus and Carol clinked their glasses with hers.
"I think we should celebrate the start of our new friendship with an act of generosity. I will double the amount of whatever you raise tonight."
His voiced raised for the last part so many other people in the room heard it. They cheered and clapped. Klaus and Grace shared a smile. Until now the evening was running smoothly, just as they wanted.
The first one to intrude the bargain was Damon. He joined them with a grim look on their face.
"Carol, don't take me wrong on this, but are you aware that you're kissing an immortal hybrid's ass that literally ruined your son's life."
Grace rolled her eyes and stepped forward, looking into Damon's eyes cooly.
"Is that a way to treat a lady, Damon? On a event that is meant to fundraise for a greater cause?"
He glared at her, his mouth in a thin line.
"Why don't you simply mind your own business, evil sidekick."
His voice was a hiss, to which Grace chuckled.
"Damon, I'm as much as a council member as you are. And right now, the people I stand for aren't the problem here. It's your brother who just can't stop being childish."
Klaus padded Grace's shoulder from behind.
"I wouldn't dare to lit up her temper, mate. By the way, Grace's right. I'll protect your town if you leave me and my hybrids alone."
"....Please, Damon. Keep your brother in check. We only want peace."
Carol chirped in and an amused smirk spread on Grace's face. Damon was bested, he had to admit it. With defeat written on his face, he turned around and left.
Hours passed until Damon came back and suddenly grabbed Grace by her wrist and motioning for Klaus to follow. She would've loved to chop his dirty hands off.
"Stefan's gone off the rails. He has Elena. Grace, he's going to hurt her."
He said when they reached the room next door. The older Salvatore looked at her, urging her to do something. It was then when Grace knew that he was telling the truth. Her eyes widened in shock and anger. How dare could this idiot try and hurt her sister?
"You're bluffing."
Klaus growled, to which Grace quickly shook her head. But before she could say anything, the hybrid's phone started to ring.
Panic rose inside Grace as she listened into the call. Stefan was about to turn Elena into a vampire! Even after all the fights and the grudge the sister's held for each other, Grace knew that Elena didn't want to be a vampire. She didn't want that for her baby sister.
Her breath quickened and she shot Klaus desperate looks as the hybrid was trying to call for Stefan's bluff. But obviously, this wasn't a bluff.
"Please."
The younger vampire whispered and hybrid finally looked down to her. He stared at her while he said the words.
"I will send them away."
It must've been hard for him to do this and Grace knew that he did it for her, not just because with Elena his blood source would die. When she heard wheels screeching through the speaker she tensed and then there was silence. Suddenly, she heard Elena's whimpering and that was the moment when she was sure that she was till alive. Relief washed through her and she looked at Klaus thankfully. He ended the call and without another word, he threw Grace his car keys to pick Elena up.
Mere minutes later, Grace arrived at Wickery Bridge where she assumed Elena would be. Thankfully, she still stood there shivering. Sighing relieved, Grace got out of the car and silently put a blanket around her sister's shoulders and leading her to the car.
The ride was awkwardly silent, both women trapped in their thoughts and honesty not knowing what to say. When they arrived home, Grace was the first one to find the right words.
"I'm still your sister."
She stated and quickly got out of the car without waiting for Elena's reaction. Grace couldn't bear seeing the disappointment in her sister's eyes today. It had been too much for one day, so she deserved a night without guilt destroying her.
...
What Grace didn't expect was that she would actually miss the climax of this feud. The next day was quiet, too quiet for her liking. Klaus didn't call, Elena was off somewhere with Bonnie and there weren't any news from Stefan's side. He was better off not coming close to Grace, she would probably rip his head off in the rage she felt. What he did to Elena was inexcusable.
It was already getting dark when she got suspicious, so she tried to call Klaus, who didn't answer any of her tries to reach him. There was something wrong, she could feel it. Her first guess was that Klaus probably wasn't home, so she tried the next place where she would assume trouble. The Salvatore Estate.
When she got closer, she heard Stefan and Damon fighting. Grace positioned herself close to a window where she could clearly see and hear the brothers. They were so wrapped up in their quarrel, they wouldn't notice her. And even if, what should they do? Grace was an untouchable subject to everyone. She was the safest person in town, because she was a loved one to literally everyone important.
Most of the conversation was just about their pathetic fight over Elena, which Grace really didn't want to hear, but she hoped she would find out something more important concerning the coffins.
She held her breath when Damon suddenly pulled out a dagger from behind his back. Her eyes widened as she stared at the silver gadget.
Elijah. He must've undaggered Elijah. Who else would he free? Damon didn't know any of the other siblings except for Rebekah and she was still at Klaus' home, far away from the Salvatore's reach.
Her mind was racing, but there actually was only one thought inside her: She needed to see him.
Before the Salvatores could turn around and find her, she had disappeared.
...................
Sorry, the chapter is cramed up, but honestly I had no patience anymore :P because guess who's coming back next chapter :DD