Chapter One
According to my aging grandparents we live in a strange world and not because of technology or texting or the internet but because we live in a co-habitation with vampires, witches and werewolves. To me this is normal, from before I was born we lived our daily lives as neighbors and friends to the mystical beings of the world. They have always been here living in the shadows of history and none more important or as dangerous as the Original family of vampires. No one really knows who or where they are. The Original family is royalty for the vampires and I have always be so interested in them. A year ago thousands of vampires dropped dead suddenly, it was horrifying and not just the vampires panicked. It didn't take long before we found out that Michael, the father of the original family killed the oldest son Finn and the other siblings together took down their father. It was then that the vampires put it together. Everyone that they ever sired died when they did. Suddenly the sire lines were in war and everyone searched for the remaining family members to try and protect them. I didn't understand why, everyone knew an original cannot be killed without a white oak stake and the last was used on Finn and his father.
The world has seen a witch against vampire or vampire against the illusive werewolves but never have we really seen a vampire on vampire war. Each time humans have been caught in the middle without any real power we have always been just a casualty.
My family has been speaking for the humans in New Orleans for three generations. My twin brother passed on his spot to be a pastor and eventually left New Orleans. So instead it fell to me. I never really knew what I was getting into, we may live with vampires but its completely different when you are a part of the community.
"Cami, are you even listening?" I turned to Davina, the head witch for the quarter and sighed.
"No not really, sorry." I smiled, Davina went through so much. She survived a horrid harvest ritual, escaped and then let herself be sacrificed to finish the ritual. All so her coven could have enough power to defend themselves against the vampires battling each other.
"I was saying that the stupid regent said I would never be able to lead because I am just a child." She groaned.
"Well you are a kid, but you have had to grow up so much and you have so much power. She should be helping you, working with you to protect the witches." I shook my head. Davina would have to eventually challenge her; I was not looking forward to that day.
Suddenly Marcel burst in and headed right for us. I smiled, I liked Marcel, maybe more than I ever intended and we spent some sleepless nights together. Marcel was a vampire, which might be the reason I haven't been able to fully commit to him. Marcel wasn't just a vampire, he is the leader of the vampires in the quarter.
"What's wrong now Marcel?" I laughed.
"This isn't funny Cami. We seriously have a problem." He grunted. Davina gave me a look and I tried to stifle a laugh.
"Marcel, no offense but you seem to always have a serious problem." Davina patted his face teasingly.
"They are back, the Original family." He said slowly.
"What?" I coughed. The Original family? Here? What the hell? I have always been intrigued by them and suddenly we are in the same city?
"I don't understand Marcel. What do you mean they are back?" Davina asked.
"I have known the Michelson family for hundreds of years. Long ago they took me in as a child and raised me. Niklause is my sire, and they raised me here in New Orleans when it was only a settlement and they built this town. I simply took over when they ran from their father again." Marcel explained.
"Marcel why didn't you ever tell us that you knew the Michelson family let alone were so close to them?" I sputtered.
"It never seemed important, it wasn't your business, take your pick." He snapped.
"Fine, be an ass all you want Marcel. Why is it so terrible they are here?" Davina passed a drink to me.
"They are a volatile family. Death, destruction it follows them. They care for no one but themselves and their family. They will be the death of the quarter." Marcel hung his head. I could see from his face that he knew the Michelson family destruction all too well.
"Well I am not sure what we can do about it, if they are back they are back. How are we going to stop an un-killable family?" Davina shrugged.
"We have to find something, no one loved this town, well more like loved owning this town than Niklause himself. He will want it back and he will do anything to get it back." Marcel snarled.
"I am not letting that happen, we just found a little peace, I got the witches to stop killing each other and vampires. The vampires feed almost exclusively on blood bags or willing tourists in blood clubs. We have next to no murder by the supernatural in the quarter. We have to find a way to make peace with the Michelson family if they are truly here to stay." Davina said, then stood, her chair screeching back.
"Davina wait, promise me, both of you." He said looking and me, "Promise that you both won't go looking for trouble. Try and stay out of the Michelson's path." Marcel pleaded. I nodded and placed my hand on his. Davina just rolled her eyes and strode out of the bar. Marcel groaned and rubbed his face. "Davina is going to be the death of me."
I smiled, "I've got to get back to work. Marcel, we will figure out." I stood and returned to the back of the bar.
After years of school here I am with a Bachelor degree in Psychology, working on my Masters and I am a bartender on the side. My life is just one long ironic statement. I watched Marcel leave and head towards a blood bar. To check on his vampires no doubt, he would be back to check on me when we closed. He always did, every night. The rest of the night went on uneventful and my mind kept wandering to the Michelson family. Would I ever get to meet them; do I even want to?
I was wiping down the bar when a handsome stranger sauntered in and sat across from me.
"What can I get you?" I smiled.
"A glass of whiskey would be lovely." He chimed back. His accent was to die for and I tried to remind myself a guy like this is bad news. I slid him his drink and went back to cleaning up the bar.
"Tell me something love, what do you think about these so called blood bars?" He smiled at me curiously.
"I would say it's a necessary evil. The blood bars give the vampires a supply other than blood bags but without the killing. Everyone who goes into the club knows what they have agreed to." I shrugged and refilled his glass.
"I think it takes all the fun out of it." He grinned.
"I haven't ever seen you before around here are you new to the quarter?" I asked, tying to change the subject.
"No, I lived here long ago." He downed his glass and tipped it towards me. I refilled it again.
The door slammed open and suddenly Marcel had the man pinned against the wall.
"Marcel what the hell?" I screamed and ran out from behind the bar.
"Go home Cami, right now." Marcel growled not breaking eye contact with the man.
"Marcel is this anyway to say hello to an old friend?" He grinned.
"I don't know what you are doing here but something's are off limits and Cami is one of those things." Marcel gritted his teeth.
"Marcel stop I am not your plaything and you aren't the boss of me. He is just some guy getting a drink. Stop acting like some crazed jealous boyfriend." I pulled on him, knowing I had no strength to stop him but was relieved when he slowly let go and let me pull him away.
"I am not just some guy love." The man held his hand out. I shook his hand, keeping Marcel in my peripheral vision.
"Cami, this is Klaus." Marcel wiped his face in frustration.
"Oh, oh my gosh I just thought you were just a jerk play boy." I stuttered and then thought there was a fifty-fifty chance he might kill me right there and then. Instead he laughed heartedly and turned to Marcel.
"I can see why you like her." Klaus winked. Marcel rolled his eyes and grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the bar.
"Cami please just go home, I'll come see you tomorrow." Marcel begged.
"Usually I would be angry with you, but fine." I went back into the bar to get my purse.
"I will see you again sometime…" He stopped, fishing for my name.
"Camille" I grabbed my purse and turned to him.
"What are you doing here Klaus?" I asked.
"Well several reasons dear Camille, all of which I am not ready to reveal yet." He poured himself a drink.
"Right, have a good night." I turned and slid out of the door.
I went over what I said to Klaus and couldn't believe I didn't understand who he was the moment he said he had lived here a long time ago. I felt ridiculous, I had literal royalty in front of me and I acted like an idiot. I shook my head and pulled my purse onto my shoulder. I really hoped that I never had to see him again. I reached my building when a someone grabbed my arm, I turned around, my pepper spray out.
"Really dear, how is that going to help against vampires?" Klause smiled down at me.
"Now listen carefully love, I need you to tell me everything you can about Marcel." He looked deeply into my eyes, was he compelling me?
"What do you want to know?" I asked obediently.
"What is his weakness? What he is planning, tell me what he is going to do before he does it. Do you understand?" He asked. I looked at him and smiled.