Where Secrets Lie

Kara's mouth hung open in shock. "What? I thought he−"

"Hates me? Yes, I know. After I killed our mother, I wanted to change. I felt horrible. Our mother's memories and emotions filled me. I felt that we should live among humans. John didn't feel the same way. He felt that this happened to us for a reason. We should be the new species and humans should be our slaves. Our views tore us apart, and he disappeared a couple of nights later. I made the Caswell clan and started a business. I didn't see my brother until 100 years later with his own clan and new surname: Powell."

"So Michael doesn't know John is his uncle?"

"No one knows but John, me, and now you."

"Yay me," Kara said, shaking her hands in faux excitement.

Alex quickly turned his head to the left and put his forefinger to his lips. "Shhh, someone's here."

Kara slid the bedside drawer open to grab her gun. She motioned to Alex to stay put.

"I'm vampire," he whispered. "Aren't I the one, who should check out the strange noise?"

"Everyone thinks you're dead. Let's keep it that way" Kara muttered.

"I -" he started to protest but Kara flapped her hand at him to be silent.

She exited the room, quietly shutting the door behind her. She carefully trudged through the house, hugging the walls. She turned the corner, gun cocked but was surprised as she was hoisted into the air, "Kara!"

"Logan?!" she said with a shocked look on her face. He lowered her to the ground and hugged her tightly. "I was about to shoot you, you know," she tucked her gun into the back of her pants. "How did you find me," she asked, curiously.

"When you went to pick up blood, the nurse called me before she gave it to you. I told her to put a tracking device in your bag," he explained.

"Damn it! I've been so careful." Kara cursed as she walked back towards the bedroom.

Logan followed, "I've been looking for you all this time, but I would have never thought to look here. I'm just glad you slipped up. I was starting to lose hope. I thought Elijah might have killed you." He smiled at her for a moment before something struck him. "Oh, why were you getting ten bags of blood? I know you're half-vampire, but you don't have the thirst."

"Right, about that." Kara turned and looked back at the bedroom door, "It's fine. It's just Logan! Why don't you come down and say hello?"

"Who are you talking−" Logan was rendered speechless when his old friend walked into the room. He could only stand and stare at Alex as if he were seeing a ghost. Then salty tears began to run down his cheeks. "Alex?" He stumbled forward and threw his arms around his old surrogate sire tightly.

"So," Logan said after hearing Alexander's story, "you're telling me that Uncle Elijah is the one that killed you and blamed it on Anna? Honestly, this is all hard for me to wrap my head around." He said rubbing his temples as he paced back and forth across the living room carpet, "but I'm glad you're back and just in time too," said Logan, still in a daze over discovering Alexander alive and well, with Kara.

"We have to change Michael back," replied Logan firmly.

"Change Michael back? What are you talking about? He seems perfectly satisfied with his life now. He certainly hasn't come looking for me at all." Kara tried to mask her hurt with anger.

"He didn't choose to be with Hannah. He was on his way to find you and ask you, um, to stay. Before he managed to leave the mansion, Elijah attacked Michael and compelled him to marry Hannah. I've been trying to find you this whole time, but I didn't know where to look. Michael would have never abandoned you." His face grew stern. "After all, you're the one who abandoned him in the first place. I saw the letter."

"What was I suppose to do?" her voice fiery. "I was scared. Elijah made horrible threats about killing Michael. I thought if I left it would make things easier, but I still hoped Michael would find a way to get rid of Elijah and get back to me somehow. When he didn't come after so long, I figured he gave up on me."

"It seems that we're all victims of Elijah's dirty tricks. It's time he was compensated, tenfold" Alex said, standing tall with determination.

"Well, we can't waltz into the mansion all nonchalant. You are supposed to be dead, and they all want me dead!" exclaimed Kara.

"Luckily for us, the Caswells are throwing a masquerade ball tonight," said Logan, smiling.

Kara cringed. "Oh God, really? I hate Caswell parties. Every time I go to one something bad happens."

"No, this is marvelous. I can't believe they are still throwing the annual New Year's Eve masquerade ball! Everyone will be wearing masks so we will blend in easily. I couldn't have planned it better," said Alex with, in Kara's opinion, an unnecessary amount of enthusiasm.

"Fine, but I'm picking my own dress this time." She winked at Logan, and he smiled back knowingly.

"I'm going to return to the mansion so that no one becomes suspicious of my absence. I will meet up with you two later," he said.

Kara and Alex sat in dead silence as he left. Both consumed with thoughts over what the night may hold.