"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

PROLOGUE

A habit of Caroline's was biting her nails when she was nervous. She couldn't figure out why she would be nervous about seeing her boyfriend again, but the feeling couldn't push from her head. As the door clicked open, she jumped up eager to see him again. Tyler came through the door, just as she had remembered him. But he seemed so different to her now. It wasn't the fact that his skin had been darkened by the sun nor that he was more toned than before. It just didn't feel the same.

"Caroline," his smile told her he was eager to see her too. He put his hands around her waist and embraced her. Caroline could barely smile, his touch felt different, alien like. It wasn't comfort like it used to be. It just felt wrong. "I'm so glad to see you," he breathed into her hair.

She tried smiling, but her lips were tugged into a frown. He pulled away from her, his face glowing with excitement, He leaned in to kiss her, which she accepted naturally. But there was nothing. No spark, no fireworks, nothing like she imagined their reunion to be like. In the back of her mind, this confirmed something to her. He pulled away from her, still unaware of her look on her face.

"Did Klaus hurt you while I was gone, cause if he did, I will kill him," he said. "I won't let him get anywhere near you or this town," he continued to say. The rest of Tyler's voice faded from Caroline and a single line etched in her mind for weeks echoed in her thoughts.

"He is your first love, I intend to be your last, however long it takes,"

"Caroline," the voice was far away. "Caroline, are you ok?" She suddenly snapped back into reality. Tyler stood in front of her, his face with concern. She looked into his eyes and felt a slight pang of sadness in her chest.

"Oh Tyler," she sighed. She wrapped her hands around his, trying to avoid eye contact. "I can't so this anymore," tears threatened to fall. "I can't lie to you or myself anymore. I can't be with you anymore," Tyler was speechless. She dropped his hands and wiped the tears from her face. She turned to walk away but Tyler grabbed her wrist.

"Why?" he said. His eyes glazed over from the tears that were ready to fall. "Is there someone else?" he asked. Caroline bowed her head and nodded. He let go and let her walk away. Her hands trembled as she walked out the house, sure that Tyler was still staring at her with disbelief

She made sure she was far from the house before taking her phone out her pocket. She scrolled down to his name, pressing call and pushing the phone to her ear with urgency.

"Hello?" She smiled at the voice.

"Klaus? How about that one way ticket to New Orleans?"

Caroline looked down at the address that was scribbled in her own hand writing. She peered through the iron gates. She couldn't see much but anyhow she unlocked the gate with the key Klaus had sent her. She proceeded to walk under an archway which lead her into a courtyard. Sat in the middle was a water fountain with water spraying from every angle. Caroline couldn't help but stop and admire its beauty.

She followed the directions that would lead her to Klaus' apartment. Trekking up the stairs she noticed that these blocks of apartments were different than usual. They gave a off a sense of wealth and luxury, which she expected from Klaus, however the place seemed cold and held to many secrets. She shrugged off the feeling and continued until she reached his door on the top floor.

Klaus had told her the door would be unlocked, so Caroline pushed the door open expecting Klaus to greet her. She was slightly disappointed when she didn't see him, but she put her bags down anyway. The place was very grand; very Klaus, Caroline thought. She was amazed from the view, as Klaus' apartment was on the top floor it over looked New Orleans. What was even better was that the window stretched to each side of the wall. She smiled widely at the thought of this being her home now.

After exploring the apartment twice, Klaus still hadn't returned. She frowned as she watched the sun dissolved behind the buildings. He didn't even leave a note. She suddenly felt a presence behind her and jumped up with excitement. When she turned however it wasn't Klaus. The vampire that stood in front of her was dark coloured and very toughly built, he dominated the room at once. He was smirking at Caroline, his arms folded across his chest.

"Whats a pretty little thing like you doing here?" his voice was cold. He looked her up and down as if she was meat. Caroline felt disgusted. She folded her arms across her chest and stared at him hard.

"I'm waiting for Klaus," she said sternly. The vampires smirk turned into a grin. His smile was charming but Caroline knew not to fall for it.

"Well," he said, stepping forward so he was just centimeters from her. He put his hand below her chin and pushed her head upward so she was looking at him. "Anything that's Klaus' is also mine," he smirked.

She slapped his hand away. "I'm not a prostitute," she said with disgust. He began laughing and stepped back.

"You're a fierce one, aren't you," he chuckled. "I'm Marcel, a friend of Klaus," he said. He poured himself a drink, staring at her while he took a sip.

"I'm Caroline," she said. Her hand firmly placed on her hip. She kept her eyes on his, an attempt to show him that she wasn't scared of him. Before Marcel could speak a familiar British voice interrupted him.

"Marcel," Klaus said calmly. He was leaning against the doorway, looking directly at Marcel. Caroline's heart beat gave a leap and she seemed to relax at Klaus' presence.

"Klaus," Marcel said with surprise. They looked at each other for a moment, as if they were having an unspoken conversation. "I'll leave you to it," Marcel finally said. Caroline wasn't sure but she thought she saw Marcel wink at Klaus, but before she could punch him in the face he left.

"Klaus," she sighed with relief. She vampire sped towards him, instantly wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him. He stumbled back slightly, before wrapping his arms around her waist. She wanted to melt into him, so she pulled him even closer. She could smell the cologne on him, which made her relax in his arms. She laughed and buried her face in the crook of his neck.

"Hello, love," he said into her ear. He already felt like home to her.