She couldn't run any faster. But, oh how she wished she could.
Caroline looked around her quickly. What a site she must be to an onlooker. Her-recently dyed brown-hair was an absolute mess. Her skin a lot tanner than it used to be. Her blue eyes wide in paranoia. Every inch of her coated in fear. She was on the brink of a mental breakdown. She just needed to find him. He'd help her. At least, she hoped he would.
Spending the last 200 years the way Caroline did, she developed a certain sense for when she was around a witch. So when the hairs on the back of her neck stood on ends she ducked into the nearest building. She grasped at her chest, her heart racing as fast as a bullet train. Ready to beat right out of her chest. Her breathing ragged and stuttered. She glanced behind her out through the glass. Not seeing a threat. She breathed a sigh of relief and turned to see just where it was she had ended up.
A bar.
She walked up the the bar where a blonde vampire stood. 200 years does that to a person. Makes them very keen as to sniffing out the people around them. Or maybe that was just Caroline.
The woman looked no older than 31. Caroline sat down at the bar silently. Waiting. The vampire finally took notice, she seemed a bit of an air head. When the other vampire finally glanced at her. her eyes widened. She realized Caroline was a vampire. She played it off well. The vampire walked up to Caroline.
"Hi, what can I get ya?" She asked, her voice laced with confusion. She wasn't doing a very good job at hiding it.
"Water please." Alcohol seemed to have lost it's affects on Caroline ages ago.
"Sure thing." The vampire walked away.
Caroline may be good at noticing things, but she didn't have x-ray vision. Nor did she think to tune in her hearing. The blonde vampire walked around the back of the bar and was now standing in the kitchen. She wiped out her phone at lighting speed and punched in a number.
"Hello?" His accented voice was all too familiar.
"Are you guys expecting a vampire in town?" Cami spoke in a hushed voice.
"What?" Marcel spoke back in a rushed tone.
"Because some vampire just walked into my bar. I've never seen her before." Cami was slowly calming down.
"We were not. Klaus would have told me otherwise." Marcel was moving around on his end.
"What do I do?" Cami asked placing her hand down on the metal table.
"Is Sophie there?" Marcel asked. The witch in question had invented a charm. One that significantly slowed her aging process. 200 years ago she was 24. Today, she barely looked 40. Cami glanced up at the clock. It was almost 4 in the afternoon.
"She should be here relatively soon." Cami's voice was full of relief.
Since the great war 150 years ago, the Great Faith Accords were signed. It was an official cease fire-peace be with you all, kind of thing.
Cami remembered it well. It was when she was turned. Marcel hadn't trusted her not to get hurt, so she was given vampire blood. True to his faith, she had been killed, an accident. She went through transition relatively well. Her hunger had only bested her twice in her first five years. Those being the only two times she had killed.
The witches had problems at first. But those who opposed any of the peace left. Sophie soon rose to power of the north coven, around three years after the war. Her friend, Darcy took rule soon after herself. She governed the western witches. Jacklyn the east, and Kain the south.
Surprisingly the wolves had been the most peaceful of the all. They came out of the bayou as soon as the accords were signed. Setting up in the southern part of New Orleans. Their alpha, Ethan, was on good terms with Kain. Some of the wolves who had fled during Marcel's rule had returned. Their pack was vast and some members lived in the heart of the city.
Vampire's were the great wanderers of the vast city. They lived wherever they pleased. Never massing in one area.
It was, however, an unspoken understanding that Klaus was still king. He was not called such, but he was thought of as. None seemed to mind that. They all needed to be ruled. Whether they knew it or not.
"I think she's here." Cami whispered.
"Keep me on the line." Marcel answered back.
Cami walked around front with her phone in her hand that hung limp by her hip. She saw Sophie standing at the bar with a bewildered look. But the vampire was gone.
"Sophie? What's wrong?" Cami asked.
"I walked in and this girl practically ran me over running out of here." Sophie said as she pointed over her shoulder at the door. Cami put the phone to her ear.
"She bolted as soon as Sophie walked in." She informed Marcel.
"I'll send out some guys. Track her down and bring her in." Marcel murmured.
"She's got brown hair, surprisingly tan for a vamp and blue eyes. Insanely blue eyes." Cami gave the description while keeping eye contact with Sophie. The old witch now curious. Marcel said his goodbye and they hung up.
"Vamp in town without permission." Cami gave a small shrug.
Sophie hummed and had a distant look. She glanced at the door. She had bumped the frantic vampire and she felt, off. Not the normal hit you'd get off a vampire.
XXXXX
"Klaus." Marcel called as he entered the manor.
"Hello Marcel." Hope called as she leaned over the banister.
"Hope." Marcel gave a slight nod.
"What do you need from dad?" She asked draping herself over the old wood.
"We got ourself a rogue vamp in town." He shrugged a shoulder.
Hope rolled her head back and forth and then nodded. She wandered off into the manor. She was a strange one indeed. Growing up with Klaus had not affected her as everyone assumed. While Klaus was all 'I'll kill you', Hope was more aloof. Never could tell what the vampire/witch hybrid was thinking, or better yet, doing. She had a strange mind of her own. Nobody, not ever her parents, could tell her what to do. In the 200 years she lived in the quarter, not one person had seen her lose her temper. She always wore a straight face or a lose smile. It was creepy in it's own way.
"Marcel." Klaus walked into the foyer from down the hall.
"Have you heard about the vamp?" Marcel asked.
"I did. Cami texted me." Klaus nodded, gesturing for Marcel to follow him.
"The boys are having trouble finding her." Marcel murmed. Klaus paused. He turned slightly with a raised brow.
"Is that so?" Klaus asked as they continued walking. They entered a room that was large and open. Windows lining the back wall with a glass door in the middle. Overlooking the backyard.
Marcel nodded his head. Klaus took a seat and Marcel followed suit.
"So what do we know about this elusive vampire?" Klaus asked.
"Only that she was at-" Marcel was cut off when Kol busted through the door.
"Look what I would flitting all around town!" He yelled dragging said vampire in by her arm. Her feet where stick straight and Kol was literally dragging her in. Her head was slung forward and Klaus only saw the mass of brown curls and tan skin.
"How did you manage to catch her? The men couldn't even track her down?" Marcel asked crossing his arms over his chest. Kol stood a few feet from both his brother and Marcel.
"Well I think I do have a few years on the others." Kol smirked.
"What are you doing in my city without permission?" Klaus asked with a straight face.
"See, I strictly remembered you leaving an open invitation on my voicemail." Caroline's voice was rough and forced. If Klaus was surprised (which he was) he sure hid it well.
"Caroline." He said.
"I thought I recognized her face!" Kol snickered and let go of her arm. Caroline stood up and pushed her hair back.
"Nice hair darlin' although I think I liked you better blonde." Kol twirled a strand around his finger. Caroline smacked his hand away and took a few steps away from the three vampires.
"Now Caroline, I hope you're not thinking of running." Klaus took a step towards her.
"No, I just-" She fumbled with her words. Her hands interlacing in front of her, her eyes darting around the room.
"Is there a witch here?" She asked, her eyes going wide. Klaus gave her a strange look and before he spoke, Sophie walked into the room.
"Oh" She paused and looked at Caroline. "you found her." She looked from Marcel to Klaus then to Caroline. Her eyes staying on Caroline. Said vamp's eyes looked anywhere but the witch.
"Carebear, how'd did you even know Sophie was here? I couldn't even hear here." Kol's smirk never fading. Caroline flinched at the old nickname.
"Um. I just, have a thing, about witches." Caroline mumbled.
"What brings you to my city?" Klaus asked as he stood from his seated position.
Caroline made a noise and glanced at the Original. His hair was darker than she remembered. He looked, dare she say, at peace. He wasn't tense and his face showed no anger. It was strange to see him like this. He was so different from what she remembered.
"Dad." Hope entered the room. Her eyes trained on Caroline.
"Hope. This is an old friend of mine." A small smile appeared on his face. Hope came to stand next to her father. Her and Caroline staring at each other.
"I thought I sensed another witch." Caroline said under her breath. Klaus's eyes flickered a fraction and Kol snorted.
"And you, what exactly are you?" Hope asked as she narrowed her eyes.
"What do you mean?" Caroline stuttered taking a step back.
"Your no vampire. What are you?" Hope took a step forward. Her eyes narrowing into slits. Her jaw clenching and her hands flexing at her sides.
"Ohh this is interesting." You could practically grab hold of the amusement Kol was giving off.
"Caroline." Klaus' voice was clipped and strong. Her eyes snapped to his. A glare glimmered in his eyes.
"I never should have come here." Caroline whispered. Her eyes widened to saucers and then she was gone. She flitted out of the room. Marcel went to speak when the front door was slammed open.
An older looking woman, followed by two identical twin girls walked into the room. Then lead woman had brown hair that was cut short around her shoulders, a single honey blond strand streaked through her hair. Her eyes were dark brown and cold. Makeup covered her face and hid her real age. She was dressed in a business suit with an emerald amulet hanging around her neck. The twin girls both had platinum blond hair that fell around their mid back, poker straight. Their skin was paper white, their black dresses standing out against the stark white of their skin. The twin on the right had a pale blue eye and a dark her eyes. The other twin had a similar pale eye, however, her other eye was a light honey color. They cared an air around themselves that would sent any human running for the hills. They both stood around five feet and their arms were extended outward to hold hands. Their eyes drifting from each presence in the room, following perfectly in sync with each other.
"Where is the vampire?" The older one said.
"You'll have to be more specific." Marcel said.
"Caroline. I know she was here." Her eyes thinning to glare at Marcel. Marcel looked at Klaus who watched Hope take a step forward.
"Your kind aren't welcomed here." Hope hissed. This was a first for her emotions to be anything but calm.
"My kind used to rule the Quarter. Watch yourself little girl." The witch ground out.
"She's gone." The blue and green eyed twin spoke.
"Long gone." The blue and golden eyed twin finished.
They did speak, but their voices were carried in the wind. An eerie silence to their words. The pitch was high and childlike, a contrast to their late teen's look.
"We almost had her too." The older witch hissed.
"What business do you have with Caroline?" Klaus asked, stepping up to stand next to his daughter.
The twin's stepped around the older witches and began walking past the group of vampires to the back glass doors. They were open and the warm breeze pushed them back and forth.
"She went, this way." One twin began while the other finished.
"Very good girls." The older witch began to move forward. Klaus grabbed her by the arm.
"I don't take well to being ignored, witch." Klaus hissed.
"And you would do well to keep your hands off, hybrid." The witch glared back.
"She escaped, very bad of her." It was chilling the way the one twin began to speak and the other would finish.
"We almost broke her too. Such a shame." The other spoke.
"All is well girls. We will just have to start over." The elderly one spoke and followed the twins out of the house.
"What have you done now dad?" Hope asked, her face falling back into peace. Klaus gave her a pointed look and Hope huffed.
"Those witches, were they what I think they were?" Sophie asked looking at where they had exited then glancing back at Hope.
"Black witches? Yes." Hope's eyes flickered to the trail they left and snarled.
"Thought they were long dead." Sophie mumbled.
"You have some weird friends." Hope looked over at Klaus.
"I'll say." Marcel second that.
"Mm but you didn't exactly want to be friends with her, now did you Nik?" Kol wiggled his eyebrows and smirked. Klaus glared at him and Kol snickered.
"We should find the vampire before the witches burn down the town getting to her." Hope said as she started out the back door. Sophie following behind her. Klaus knew not to fight his daughter over things. It never ended in his favor.
"I'll set up a barrier so they can't leave the quarter." Sophie said as she started off in a different direction.
"I'll put the men on alert." Marcel pitched, flitting away.
"I think I'll go a hunting." Kol said in a sing-song voice and gave a one-two skip as he walked at a human pace behind Hope.
"I'll call in reinforcements." Klaus murmured to no one.
XXXXX
Rebekah let out a moan. She tangled her fingers in his short blonde hair. His lips ravishing her neck. He nipped at her neck then would soothe the reddened skin with his tongue. His wet kisses trailed further down her neck and up to her chin, making his way back to her mouth. His blue eyes many shades darker as he gazed at her.
She cursed whoever was on the other line of her ringing cell phone.
"Bloody hell. I'm going to kill him." She sat up and pulled to phone out of her back pocket. She already knew it was Klaus. He had the strange ability to always interrupt her.
"What do you want Niklaus?" Rebekah hissed. Her lover's lips traveling back to her neck, not bothering to stop his ministrations. Her eyes falling to half lids.
"Since when am I Niklaus to you dear sister?" Klaus let out a chuckle.
"When you're being annoying." Rebekah hissed back.
"I apologize dear sister but it seems we have a rather pressing problem in the quarter." Klaus's voice was even.
"Then handle it yourself." Rebekah pulled the phone away and was moments away from hanging up when He snatched the phone from her grip.
"What's the problem?" Matt spoke into the phone sitting up. Rebekah groaned and threw a pillow at his head. He chuckled and shook his head at her.
"Ah dear Matthew? I hope you've been well to my sister? It would seem Caroline has made her grand appearance." Klaus's voice contained a note of seriousness.
Matt was silent. That wasn't possible.
"Klaus. Are you sure?" Matt asked.
He swung his legs over to the side of the bed and stood up. He walked to the end of the bed where his and Rebekah's suitcases had been thrown in their rush to get into the room and onto the bed. He fixed it so it was laying on its back and unzipped it. He pulled the clothes out and felt along the bottom for the hidden zipper. He opened to pouch and pulled out the envelope he kept with himself for more than 150 years.
"Yes quite sure Matthew. I saw her myself." There was a rustling sound out his side.
"That's impossible." Matt murmured pulling the letter and photograph out of the envelope.
"Do continue, why is it impossible?" Klaus questioned
It was a terrible site. Broke Matt's heart everytime he looked at it. His eyes flickered over the note first.
Come after us again and the next picture you get will be of your new favorite Original.
It was written in pristine cursive but the page was marred with splashes of dried blood that was now a gruesome rust color. The picture wasn't any better. It was torn around the edges and there were white streaks through it where it had been repeatedly folded. The photo was of Caroline. She was hoisted up by a large metal hook that was pierced through her wrists and kept her hung from the ceiling. It was a full body picture, her toes not even touching the ground. There were bloody rips in her jeans. Her blouse in the same condition as her jeans. There were iron rods sticking out of her body like a damn porcupine. Long cuts ran down her arms. Both appendages covered in blood. Drops of blood in her blonde hair-her fingernails ripped from the nail beds. Her head was slung forward and tilted to the side. Her hair covering her face for the most part. But you could still see the gash in her check that stretched from the corner of her mouth up to the bottom of her eye. When Matt first saw the picture he emptied his stomach in the nearest trash can. The gruesome look of his best friend hung and tortured. After his stomach was empty he cried. He cried for the entire night. Not only was she covered in dired days-maybe weeks old blood-but her skin was grey. A sickly grey, her veins raised off her skin and filled with a putrid dark green. He stared at the picture all night. She was dead. They didn't find her in time. He would have liked to get the body back, give them some peace. Even though they couldn't save her, they could still bury her-bury her next to her mom. Like Caroline would have wanted. But the note stopped him from doing that. He just got Rebekah to trust him. He loved her (even if at the time he didn't know it). He loved Caroline like a little sister, but he wouldn't risk Rebekah for her body. How fucked up was that?
"Klaus that can't be possible." Matt stressed again.
"And why not?" Klaus repeated, getting irritated over Matt's repetitive words.
"Because she died, 180 years ago." Matt whispered into the phone. Rebekah now sat behind him. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders. Her chin rested on his one shoulder. Her eyes flickered over the note, flinching when she realized they meant her. They her eyes were glued to the picture. She's seen worse, hell she's probably done worse. But there was something about seeing the bubbly blonde strung up and dead. It made sense to her now. Matt went through a depression for a good twenty years. She thought it had to do with her turning him(of his own free will). But they just happened to have fallen on the same timeline. Matt had tears in his eyes, a few treaks on his cheeks. He sniffled but his eyes stayed glued on the picture. Rebekah took the phone from his other hand and pressed a kiss onto the back of his neck.
"Nik, we're leaving soon." Rebekah spoke into to the receiver, a hushed voice.
"Very well, see you soon little sister." Klaus responded and they both hung up.
"It's okay, we'll figure this out. Together." Rebekah moved him back and wrapped her arms around him.
"I should have know. Their witches, I should have know." He whispered, his face buried in her neck.
"What should you have know?" She whispered, her hand stroking his back and the other in his hair.
"That she wasn't dead. They are witches. They can fake stuff like that." He threw the picture off the bed. He curled into him. Rebekah had never seen him so broken.
He cried for a few more hours and then they grabbed their bags and packed back into the car and headed to New Orleans.