Bab 27: Ch. 26
January 30, 2010
The rest of the year passed smoothly, as many of the problems that would befall Mystic Falls in the original timeline were swept away by actions I'd taken earlier on. The tomb was opened early and no vampires escaped it. Pearl was never locked away in the first place, so Anna didn't show up with her cronies to free her mother. Stefan didn't fall off the blood wagon because I'd already pushed him off of it and onto a new one of my making.
With everything settled, I almost missed John Gilbert finally coming back into town. I would have missed it entirely if not for the safety net I'd put into place catching his name and face and alerting me. He was watched as he arrived at the Gilbert house and spoke with Grayson, only to turn right back around and leave Mystic Falls immediately. Grayson was kind enough to call me right afterwards as my compulsion necessitated and tell me all about their meeting.
XxScenebreakxX
A sharp knock on the door drew Grayson to it. He opened it and grimaced when he found his brother on the other side. Grayson had spent the last several years doing his best to keep John out of Mystic Falls and away from Vali Masters, and now despite all of that here his brother was. He schooled his features and smiled thinly, "John. This is a bit of a surprise, why didn't you let me know you were coming into town?"
John pushed his way in and gave his older brother an exasperated look, "Because you've been keeping me away Grayson. I have no doubt that if I'd called ahead you'd have had another excuse ready for why I should just stay out of Mystic Falls. But now you need me. Mystic Falls has a vampire problem." He said the last bit in a low whisper, glancing to the stairs and living room.
Grayson frowns at that, wondering how he could possibly know that, but not know enough to know that Grayson was part of that vampire problem, "What are you talking about? I think we'd know if there was a vampire problem John."
He shakes his head and heads into the kitchen to grab a glass of water, "Miranda and the kids aren't home right?"
Grayson shakes his head as he follows John into the kitchen, "No, we're alone."
John sighs and nods before speaking in a normal tone, "Good. Look Grayson, you wouldn't know about this vampire threat, it's been a hundred and forty five years in the making. The vampires that our ancestors supposedly burned in 1864 weren't actually burnt up in the church. They were spelled into a tomb below the church and I have reason to believe that someone has opened that tomb recently."
Grayson raised an eyebrow at that, privately wondering who John's source was even as he responded, "Don't you think we'd have more animal attacks and disappearances around here if that were the case John? Mystic Falls has never been more peaceful than it is now. Even normal crime is down to almost none. The Sheriff and her deputies have been very much on the ball for a while now. How did you even learn about these supposed tomb vampires?"
John winced at that, shaking his head, "Not important. What is important is that they're out there somewhere, and even if they are lying low, they're still a very real danger to the town. Grayson we need to get the council together and set up an event to draw them out. Then, we use the Gilbert Device and take them all down, like our forefathers before us."
Now it's the elder Gilbert's turn to grimace as he shakes his head, "No John, we don't need to do anything. The tomb was opened and the vampires inside are already dealt with."
John openly gapes at that, "What? How? Who opened it then? How did you even find out about it?"
Grayson looks his brother in the eyes and tries to convey complete sincerity in what he says next, "Vali Masters. He came into town a few years ago and since then he's proven incredibly resourceful. The Founder's Council put it to a vote and given his resources and knowledge of the supernatural, they put him in charge years ago."
John continues to gape, this newest revelation more shocking than the last, "In charge? An outsider was put in charge of the Founder's Council? Grayson, the Gilberts have led the council for the past three generations! How could you just let this happen?"
Grayson grimaces, clearly uncomfortable with the whole conversation, "It's not some sort of Dynasty John. Leadership goes to the most capable person. We had capability and knowledge because of the journals and Johnathan Gilbert's devices, but Mr. Masters is just more resourceful than I am. I'm happy to leave things in his hands John, we haven't had a problem since he moved to our town, and part of that is because he takes preemptive action with situations like the tomb vampires."
John seems to flounder for several long moments, and Grayson privately hopes that his brother turns around and walks right out of his house and this town, before it swallows him whole. Those hopes are dashed when John just shakes his head and changes tact, "Well, does Mr. Masters know that the Salvatore brothers from a hundred and forty five years ago are vampires now? They're also both back in town you know, so you're not as safe as you think Grayson."
Grayson sighs slowly, "Vali knows about the Salvatores, yes. He's the one who brought them to our attention in the first place. Both are under control. Or did you not hear me when I said there hasn't been a problem since he arrived? There hasn't been any issues since they came back either, because of Mr. Masters."
John is frowning severely now, clearly unsure what to say. Grayson watches him carefully as his eyes flicker all over the place before settling on Grayson again, "Where is your old wedding ring Grayson? The vervained one."
Grayson grimaces and his hand falls to his new wedding ring, as he twists it nervously, "An accident that's all. You remember I called you about the car going off the bridge. It must have fallen off somewhere down there. Not exactly recoverable."
John nods slowly, accepting this explanation, "Well, you wouldn't mind lending me some vervain right? It's been incredibly hard to find since I left Mystic Falls." He chuckles, "If I didn't know any better I'd say our town is the only place left in America that has it. The only sellers I could find were overseas for incredibly expensive prices."
Grayson paled slightly at that, before speaking slowly, "John… Mystic Falls doesn't have any vervain in it anymore either. Zach's plants all died a few years ago."
John blinked at that, looking confused, "And why haven't you had some seeds brought in? Yes the sellers overseas are expensive, but the town's safety is incredibly important…"
Grayson couldn't take it anymore, he could see no way this would end with his little brother satisfied. He stepped closer and grabbed John by the arms, a bit of his vampire strength leaking through as he stared into John's eyes, knowing that he'd be wearing or have ingested verain. Instead of attempting compulsion, he settles for a heartfelt plea, "John, you need to leave Mystic Falls tonight. You aren't safe here."
John is completely bewildered by this, though he seems to be slowly putting things together, "What are you talking about Grayson?"
Grayson swallows convulsively, the compulsion preventing him from saying anything specific, and in the end he's forced to just shake his head, "I can't say." His eyes are wild and heavy emphasis on the word 'can't', "You just need to leave John. I don't want anything to happen to you brother."
Grayson releases John and pushes him back a bit more forcibly than he needs to. John stumbles, eyes wide as he stares at Grayson for several long moments before responding, "I understand. I won't abandon you Grayson. I have friends, powerful ones. I'll be back with help."
Grayson shakes his head, fists clenching at his sides, "No John you need to run and never come back! Never!"
John just gives a half-hearted smile and turns and leaves. Grayson stands stone still for a second before moving mechanically to the phone and picking it up, dialing in the numbers that would connect him to the one man he didn't want to talk to right now. The line was picked up against his best wishes and he spoke, once again mechanically, forced by compulsion to explain that someone was plotting against Mr. Masters, trying to disrupt his plans.
XxScenebreakxX
I grinned as Grayson finished detailing the conversation between him and his brother, "It sounds like you tried very hard to steer your brother clear of this Doctor."
He's clearly shedding tears based on how emotional his voice is when he replies, "Please Mr. Masters. Don't do this."
I sigh dramatically, "Grayson, I won't do anything if he takes your advice and leaves Mystic Falls to never return. You have my word."
I can hear the anger in his voice and it is delightful as he responds, "You and I both know he won't. He claims to have powerful friends. I assume given your unsettling ability to know what's coming, you know who they are. He won't stop until he's dead, will he?"
I smile even though he can't see it, "Ah Doctor, you know your brother better than I. That said, I'm ordering you not to talk to anyone about his visit, your conversation with him, or your conversation with me. Come see me tomorrow and we'll chat in person."
I hang up the smart phone before Grayson can beg me anymore, already tired of his whining voice. Instead, I focus my attention on the motel in front of me that John Gilbert has stopped at on his blazing fast trip out of town. Walking closer, I could make out his voice as he spoke into a phone, sounding angry.
"-compelled Katherine! My own brother is under some vampire's control! From the way he acted, I think the entire town is under the control of this newcomer, Vali Masters."
"Yes, that's what I said. What do you mean you know him? So he is a vampire? Well he's taken control of all of Mystic Falls, convinced everyone he's killed the tomb vampires, and somehow has the Salvatores completely under control. All of it without a single animal attack or disappearance since he arrived."
"What do you mean you turned him? Then he's your problem! You need to come and deal with him!"
There's a pause as I assume Katherine berates him over the phone and reminds him who's in charge and who's subservient in their relationship. He goes back to talking a moment later, even as I come to a stop in front of his door and knock.
"Fine, fine. I can't promise I'll be able to get the Gilbert Device anymore tho- Hold on, there's someone at the door."
He opens the door after leaving the phone sitting on the bed and stares at me, "Yes?"
I grin, "Hello John. We haven't gotten a chance to properly meet. My name is Vali Masters. I'm sure you've heard of me."
He immediately attempts to shove the door closed but there is no threshold on a hotel, no need for an invite inside and I'm much faster and much stronger than him. He never got the door closed as I slammed it open, forcing him to stumble back even as I walked inside casually. I can hear Katherine yelling into the phone, and I know she heard my introduction given that she's yelling my name.
John comes up from his place behind the bed with a stake loaded crossbow in hands and takes aim before firing at my heart. I dodge easily, having no desire to do the whole song and dance with being able to survive a stake to the heart tonight. Moving in a blur of speed, I strip John of his weapon and wrap my fingers around his throat, "I considered how to use you John Gilbert. Considered what I could do to you, how I could play with your life. But then I realized, I didn't need to or want to. I've got enough playthings as is, and you're… superfluous."
With those words, John Gilbert falls into unconsciousnessfrom lack of oxygen and I release his throat, gesturing for one of my lackies to silently zoom in and pick him up. He already has his orders. Grinning wildly, I reach down and pick up the still connected phone, bringing it to my ear.
"Hello? Who is this?"
Katherine's voice comes from the other side and it sounds exasperated and… aroused instead of the anger I'm hearing, "You know who it is Vali. What the hell are you doing in Mystic Falls?"
I chuckle, "Well my dear, you told me how important it was to you, in one of the many sessions where you had me tie you up and force all of your filthy secrets out of you. Do you not remember?"
I can almost hear the shudder in her voice, "I remember. I've missed you Vali."
I grin at that, glad to know that despite the compulsions on her keeping her from remembering the true me, her body is still trained to react to my voice and yearn for my touch, "Do you now? All I remember is you running off after threatening to kill me."
She growls over the line, "Vali… you've ruined other men for me. When we meet again I'm not sure if I'll be able to stop myself from tearing your clothing off you and ravishing your body. But don't think that gives you the right to ruin everything I'm working towards. What did you do to John?"
I laugh, "Ah, so concerned with your chess piece aren't you darling? Well, John is going for a little ride with one of my vampires. He's fine right now… but he won't survive the drive sadly. An accident will result in his very tragic death. Consider this check Katherine."
She sounds confused at that, "Check? We've just started playing Vali, it takes more than one move to put me in check."
I chuckle at that, "You're too slow on the uptake Katherine. I've been playing this game for five years now. I have your Moonstone, I have your doppleganger. I have the entire town in my hands. You've already admitted that when you see me, you won't even be able to resist me, so in a way, I even have you. Be very careful Katherine, this isn't the sort of checkmate you will ever escape from."
Once again I can almost hear her shiver over the call as she steels herself to answer me, "You've gotten uppity for a baby vampire Vali. I'll have to teach you a lesson when I finally come to town. And I am coming, so you better get ready."
I smile, "I look forward to it." And then I hang up, crushing John Gilbert's phone in my hand and tossing it in the trash. Nobody will be investigating his death enough to find it or my fingerprints on it. I'm quite confident of that.
XxScenebreakxX
When Grayson Gilbert comes barging into my sitting room I waste no time in curling a hand around his throat and pushing him against a wall. He chokes and scrambles ineffectually at my grip for a few moments before I lock eyes with him and initiate compulsion;
"Your brother John was distraught and stressed after his conversation with you. He wasn't watching the road carefully enough, and he got into an accident that killed him and the other driver. A tragedy, but one purely devoid of the supernatural because before he left you, you made sure to give him the Gilbert Resurrection Ring I returned to you. His body will be recovered with it on his hand which means if I or any other supernatural being had the slightest hand in his death, he would have come back to life. His death is nothing but a terrible accident."
I breath out before finishing the compulsion, "You will not remember this compulsion and if you ever begin to doubt the version of events I just laid out for you, you will find me and tell me so. You've come here today because you want to discuss Elena's continued relationship with Stefan Salvatore once again, as well as the infatuation Damon Salvatore has developed with her."
I blur us both back over to the center of the room and release Grayson, letting the compulsion take hold as I step back and settle into a comfortable chair, smiling lightly as he begins to launch into his over-protective father tirade. Katherine will be forced to move up her plans because of my presence, which means the next to show up will be Isobel. Or perhaps Katherine will forego Isobel altogether and come for me herself.
Only time would tell.
-x-X-x-
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