This is a short story I wrote a while ago, I wasn't sure if I was going to publish it. I've written most of the chapters already; let me know if you're interested in reading more. Please notice the M rating.

Chapter 1

Always look at the bright side

New York, 1914

Many years ago, when I had been a little girl, my mother had told me that I needed to be good and obedient; otherwise I would end up in Hell. I had been filthy ever since I had been born, so I might end up there either way. The stories she had told me about hellfire and endless torture had really frightened me and I had always tried my best to be good. Yes, I had tried, but clearly not hard enough. Only my mother was wrong about many things. Hell was right here on Earth and it was worse than anything she had told me. I had thought that ending up on the streets, starving and cold had been the worse thing that could happen to me, but I had definitely been wrong. That was my motto these days, no matter how bad things were, they could always be worse. Much worse.

Yes, I had slaved the whole damn day and I was so exhausted that I could barely stand, but the bright side was that "his majesty" hadn't fed on me for a while. He got bored with his slaves quickly, he always wanted new flavors. Fortunately for me, my blood apparently didn't taste too good, he hadn't drained me. At least not yet. My best chance of surviving, as I had for few years now, was to be as hardworking domestic slave as I could, I really didn't have much more to offer. Fortunately he didn't find me attractive enough to use my body. He said that I was too bony and short; my body wasn't like a real woman's. Again, fortunately for me. Starving on the streets has had its perks after all. Yep, everything was looking just great for me.

Maybe the slaves who managed to please him in bed didn't have to work so much, but I definitely preferred the work. I would have rather stabbed myself than allowed the bastard to touch me. The king of New York… Right, more like the king of sadistic assholes. Of course I was afraid of him, I wasn't an idiot, and I valued my life enough to crawl in front of him whenever I had to. Fortunately I had finished my chores for the day and it was finally suppertime. My stomach was growling, as usually. Only his favorite slaves got enough to eat. Silently I headed towards the kitchen, but unfortunately one of his vampire lackeys called Norman stopped me.

"You, girl!" he snapped. "Come with me."

I knew better than to argue, I followed him obediently.

"Your master has a very special guest," Norman stated when we walked across the long hallway towards "the king's" study. "A very old and powerful vampire. You will please him however he wants, if he chooses you."

I swallowed, but I managed to control myself pretty well. To my surprise I saw some of "his majesty's" favorite slaves heading towards the study. He usually never offered them to anyone, so this guest must be very special. I had done this many times before, all I had to do was stand in line with the others and keep my head down while the guest took his or hers pick. That was usually a death sentence to a slave, we were basically offered as a welcome drink. One of the new girls called Ruth was shaking; she was on the brink of tears. That wasn't good at all; the king didn't tolerate any "useless whining" as he called it.

"Hey," I whispered and touched Ruth's shoulder before we reached the door. "You need to calm down, okay? Whatever you do, don't cry."

She looked at me with her fearful eyes and I had a nasty feeling that she wouldn't last for long in this house. Hopefully I was wrong; hopefully she would find the strength to adapt. I tried my best to give her a reassuring smile in case that would help her at all. Usually I tried not to get too attached to the other slaves, any of us could be dead in any moment, but that didn't mean we should stop acting like human beings. Compassion was one of the things that separated us from these monsters and I was going to hold on to it. Silently we entered the study, like lambs going to the slaughter. "His majesty" seemed to be in an excellent mood, he was just laughing at something his guest had said.

"Kol Mikaelson," he chuckled. "I must say that you haven't changed at all."

"I can say the same to you, Russell," his guest stated, he had a British accent. They were both sitting on the armchairs having a glass of scotch; Norman motioned me and the other slaves to move next to the wall. I stood next to Ruth and touched her hand as unnoticeably as I could. Hopefully she could control herself.

"Right then," the king stated and stood up. "Allow me to offer you a real drink."

I kept my eyes on the floor when he told his guest to pick anyone he wanted.

"No…" Ruth muttered, she was shaking violently. "No…"

Silently I begged that she would stop, but it was already too late. She burst into tears and ran hysterically towards the door. The sound of Norman snapping her neck made me to close my eyes.

"I apologize for that," the king stated. "I can assure you that the rest of them know how to behave."

"You don't compel them?" his guest asked.

"Only to stay in this house. I believe in training, as simpleminded creatures as they are."

I struggled to keep my head down; he was nothing but a disgusting beast. Poor Ruth…

"So, seeing anyone you like?"

"Maybe."

I had been so distracted that I hadn't noticed the king's guest stopping in front of me. Oh no…

"Look up, darling," he ordered. "I want to see your face."

Right then, this was it. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad and… Who was I kidding, this would hurt like hell. Well, maybe I would be lucky and he would just drain me, not rape or torture me first. Yes, one should always look at the bright side of things. Slowly I looked up and tried to brace myself, I wasn't going to cry or beg. His dark eyes were observing me intently; he was a tall man in his early twenties. Or at least that was how he looked, I had no idea how old he really was.

"Well, well," he muttered, his lips curved into a smirk. "I'll be damned…"

"You like that one?" the king asked.

"You could say that," his guest replied and turned to look at him. "I want to buy her."

My eyes widened and I barely managed to suppress a gasp.

"You want to buy her?" the king repeated. "I have better ones…"

"No, I want her. How much?"

The king seemed amused.

"For you, nothing. A modest gift for my old friend."

"Wonderful." He paused and glanced at Norman. "Get her ready, I'm taking her with me when I leave."