Forgiveness Is A Gift
Chapter 1: The Beginning Of The End
There was a faint knock on Kristina's bedroom door but she ignored it and continued gazing aimlessly out her window, watching the rain pour down on the dirt streets of London. She sighed to herself, this was the last time she would be able to admire the peaceful sight. The knock was repeated once more, followed by a familiar voice.
"Love, I know it's your birthday but you have to come out some time." Kristina could hear the shakiness in her mother voice as she tried to hold back the tears. A flash of anger fell through her, as the pain in her throat only grew denser.
How could she even cry? She wasn't the one that was raised to be put up for slaughtering, like a shameless lame. She wasn't the one whose life was being given up for the safety of others. She wasn't the one who would have to serve the unlawful demons of the night.
Kristina scolded herself; she was never one to take pity on herself, but she couldn't stop the boiling anger she had towards her parents and towards the death of her best friend. What had been done was done and couldn't be changed, she couldn't hope to rewrite her ancestors faith, neither could she wish to change hers. For that meant that either another family would have to take the up the obligation of serving the blood-drinking creatures or one of her own siblings would have to take her place. She thought silently to herself, whom would it have been to take her place, if she wasn't brought to this earth? Emily? Luke? Luke was far too young to serve such beasts and Emily far to ill, only 13 and too fragile to deal with such evil. Kristina was born for the job. That's what her father would tell her whenever he would observe her taking lessons from her great aunt Nina.
Nina had served the supernatural creatures when she was in her youth, many many years ago. She taught Kristina how she should act around the monsters, how to respond and to never, under any circumstance, look into their eyes. Nina had been exactly in her shoes as a child, none of Nina's 3 other siblings could take the job. "You're the stronger one", that's what Nina would say when she saw tears in Kristina's eyes. Then she would point out that Kristina was a lot stronger then herself, reassure her that she would return safely. After her words of comfort Nina would turn from her and pray under her breath, wishing that Kristina got Elijah as a master.
There was another bang on the door; she could tell it was Luke.
"Bloody hell, what is taking you so long?" He called to her over the wooden door. She laughed lightly as she could hear her father scolding him for his language. For only being 11 years of age, Luke had the mouth of an old sailer.
She looked at herself in the mirror; Kristina was wearing a new dress she had received from Nina. It was a taffy coffee color with black lace all over it; it exposed her shoulders and neck, showing off her olive skin tone that she didn't get from her parents. Nina said to change into a dull dress, before meeting them, and to try not to gain any attention for the beasts.
"You look absolutely beautiful." Said a weary voice from the door away. Kristina turned to see no other then Emily coughing into her handkerchief. Kristina smiled lightly at her ill sister.
Emily embraced her into a hug and gave her a light squeeze. Kristina felt Emily's body shake uncontrollably, she knew her younger sister was crying but Kristina chose not to face the short blonde girl. At this point, the sight of tears would only force her grey eyes to become waterfalls.
At lunch, that day, everyone decided to give their gifts to her. They knew by nighttime someone would be coming to take her away. It went by quickly: the hugs, the kisses, and the gifts. Everyone of the gifts were pointless, she would not need any more dresses or anymore little remembrances to take with her. Truth was she wouldn't be able to bring them. Nina said all she need was clothing and nothing more. But Kristina was determined to bring something, like the picture Luke had drawn for her and the grey crystal bracelet Emily and her mother had given her.
"Great Aunt Nina told me to give you this on her behalf." Her father said flatly, handing the box to her and avoiding eye contact.
You don't even have the courage to look me in the eyes, you bastard, she thought. But before she could say it out loud, her attention went back to the fragile looking box resting on her lap. She pulled the black satin ribbon and gave it to Emily, who ended up putting it in her hair. Her hands trembled as she lifted the cap of the box; inside rested a piece of parchment and another box. Quickly excused herself from the table, Kristina ran upstairs to soak in her privacy. Once she had closed her door, she slowly unraveled the parchment and read the fine print.
Kristina Rachela Genesis Alexanders,
You mustn't be scared my dear. The creatures of the night smell fear. You will do better then I did as a server. You have courage, strength and good virtues, but do not forget you are very stubborn, curious and argumentative. Do not let them be your downfall. I hope you like the gift because I wish you to never take it off. It blokes them from manipulating your mind. It is also a sign of hope, which I hope you never give up on.
Love,
Nina Emilia Grace Alexanders
Kristina stared at the parchment for a while, reading it about 5 more times before she opened the small box with in the box; it held a small necklace with an anchor on it. She smiled at the sign of hope. Nina's words had rung true, leaving Kristina to only pray that she would never loss hope.
She pulled her night black curls to the side and placed the gift around her neck. There was an abrupt noise in the kitchen that made her run down to see what was wrong. Kristina stopped half way down the stairs. Both Emily and her mother were crying with a stranger located on the opposite side of the hall of them.
"Kristina Rachela Genesis Alexanders?" She almost shuttered when the strange man called her by her full name.
"Yes?" The terrified human shuttered, casually putting her hands behind her back so he wouldn't see her shaky hands.
"Its time to leave. You can say goodbye to your family while I get you luggage." He said walking past her to her room. She ran to her siblings, giving them both hugs and kisses like she did to her parents.
"Its only 7 years." She said lightly, trying to lighten them up. She gave them all a shaky smile as she walked to the carriage that awaited her. Waving goodbye as the carriage moved forth, she held back the monstrous tears till she was out of their view.
Kristina woke when she felt the abrupt stop of the carriage and gazed out the window. She was in front of a castle. It was bigger then 10 of her houses put together. It looked old and enchanted. As she stepped out of the carriage, she saw it better. It was made of out smooth gray stone and had 4 major towers; it also had a vast amount of land to go with it.
"Kristina?" She moved her head fast to right, almost giving herself a whiplash as she tried to see who had called upon her.
"Sorry, I didn't see you there. I was admiring the beautiful architecture." She smiled at the strange. He had dark brown hair that was cut short with chocolate eyes that looked mischievous. She saw his wondering eyes and she already knew she didn't like him. Then she realized what she was wearing. In the surprisingly early appearance of the carriage, she hadn't had time to change out of the lace corset dress that Nina had gave to her. Suddenly her cheeks felt flushed, his following like wise.
"The masters are waiting." He said suddenly turning serious and walking toward the house.
Kristina picked up her dress and jogged next to the boy her age. Kristina's curiosity got the better of her and she couldn't help but ask questions.
"Who do you serve? If I may knew?" She said avoiding eye contact.
"I'm not sure if I should say." He said sheepishly, avoiding eyes contact as well.
"Well, it can be our little secret." Kristina said with a smile and giggled, using her femininity as an upper-hand. When he finally meet her eyes, he couldn't help but be taken back, they were the color of a storm cloud.
"Elijah." He muttered. He didn't even realize what he had said still he saw her face drop into a frown. "Did I saw something to displease you?" He asked quickly.
"Oh it nothing." She smiled wearily. "Would it be to much to ask, if I could change before I meet my master?" She asked, again sending him a smile.
"Usually, I would let you get situated first but they aren't in a very good state tonight and making them wait any longer wouldn't be every wise on your part. Besides you look breathtaking." He said with a grin on his face. Kristina felt herself get flustered but not by the complement, but because the male had said they were upset.
She stared at the double doors in terror, but Kristina made her face go blank. Fear wasn't something she was willing to reveal to the creatures from hades. She quickly pulled the black ribbon that Emily had put in her hair and made her jet-black curls a curtain to her face. The man knock quickly and then the muttering stopped from the inclosed room.
"Nathanial, come in." She heard a smooth voice call. Her hearted started beating rapidly now and her cheeks flooded with blood as she stepped into the massive room. Kristina dropped her head down making it hard for her to look them in the eyes.
"What is it, Nathanial?" Said the man with the smoldering brown eyes and shaggy brown hair. The way he held himself proclaimed noblemen and she could see the honesty in his eyes.
"The new servant arrived, my lord." He said backing away form her.
"That will be all. You may retire for the night." He said not taking his eyes off of the other man in the room, which was in an armchair facing the fire. Nathanial mutter goodnight under his breath and left as fast as he could.
"A woman servant, it seems like you always get them, Niklaus?" Elijah said cocking one of his eyebrows higher then the other. Both brothers laughed lightly, then she realized what Nathanial meant by not in a good state. They were all drunk; maybe Elijah not as much but Kristina could smell the alcohol in the air.
"Come here, love." Said the man in the armchair near the fireplace. Just when she thought her heart could beat any faster, she started walking closer to the beast till she was at his side. Leaving her curls to mask her face, she said a silent prayer. His movement seemed quick and sudden. In less then a second he was stand right in front of her, his chest was perfectly a lined to her eye level. The cursed heart in Kristina's chest had quickened in pace. Its quick fluttering was the only thing she could hear in the now ice silent room.
Klaus gentle raised her chin. At first she tried to pull away but she had to remind herself that she was here to serve him and let him pull her face up.
When Klaus could see her face, he grinned to himself. Her lips looked as if they where painted with blood and the blood burned through her cheeks burned through her olive skinned cheeks. The one thing missing was her eyes, which were glued stiff to to floor. She didn't look up till he brushed her black hair back. The swift action let him see her face even more.
Kristina felt her eyes shoot up in hatred. How could he think it was all right to touch her? She could fell him searching in her misty grey eyes and a grin stretch across his face. Making her stepped back quickly to leave space between them.
Before she could comprehend her new master's action, he placed his hand on the small of her back, pulling her body toward him. The vampire didn't stop till her fragile petite body was pressed up against his. Both of her hands where on his chest gentle trying to push back but she knew she wasn't strong enough.
"Did I say you could leave?" He said raising an eyebrow. She hadn't had the chance to really see what he looked like till now. Wavy sandy dirty blonde hair occupied the top of his head. His lips were thin but noticeably pink and he had smoldering oceanic blue eyes that seemed to roam her chest and neck. The understand of the location of his eyes suddenly revolting goosebumps to erupt across her exposed skin. Kristina felt him edge closer, if it was even possible, till he was centimeters away from her lips or throat. Her eyes burned with anger and she felt something come over her.
-SPACK-
There was a burst of laughter coming from his brother, Elijah. Kristina didn't realize what she had done till he turned to her with anger in his electric blue eyes. Involuntarily, she started to back away from him but he only stepped forward in a stoking manner. Before she could turn and finally walk out of the horrible room, Niklaus pinned her to the dark wall using his hips.
Kristina's scream stood lodged in her throat when his face changed. His blue eyes turned black and the veins under his globes bulged out, pumping the blood he craved. But worst of all, his canines' teeth turned into elongated fangs. The shift in his features told her mind it was the end. She cursed herself silently. How could she have been that stupid, to slap a vampire?
The tense human shut her eyes tightly and clenched her teeth, trying to prepare herself for the bite or/and for death. First, Kristina felt tender lips touch hers, gentle pulling on her bottom lip and the hand that blocked her path were now holding her face still as he lips danced on hers.
The action was so unexpected and so shocking that she had remained in a daze, unresponsive to his touch only waiting for the pain of the bite. Then it hit her like Arctic waters when the unlawful man plunged his tongue down her throat. She pulled back at once but he pulled her face back to his and yet again embracing lips for one more second till he finally pulled away, biting down on her bottom and tasted the red damned liquid.
Her icy grey eyes meet his, which were filled with mischief, pleasure and hunger. He snickered, finally letting go of her and returning to his drink and sit.
"You kissed me." The terrified woman whispered in a shocked tone as she used the wall to support her unsteady knees.
"You slapped me, love." Klaus stated, trying to hide the grin on his face by taking a swallow of his brandy. Kristina had taught her bottom lip was lightly swollen from all the kissing before she tasted the metallic rust taste coming from her lips.
"You bit me." She said with an almost rage filled tone and a hint of hatred in her voice as she put her fingers to her lip to see the evidence.
"Now we're even, love." He said joining into the laughter with his brother. She turned to leave but suddenly gasped, he was now in front of her blocking the way, yet again.
"Don't you understand? You don't leave till I dismiss you. When in my presence, everything goes through me. Got it?" He growled. Kristina looked at him with a blank face, showing no emotion but she couldn't steady her heartbeat.
"May I leave now?" She said coldly, her voice like ice but her throat burned with the tears that threatened to fall.
"Go." He said firmly stepping aside from her path to the door. She walked passed him swiftly but stop at once when she felt an iron grip on her small wrist. Turning to face the demon, she took a ginger breath of oxygen to make sure that her tear were safely in the back of her throat before.
"No goodnight kiss?" He said with a grin with a congregated mischievous mask that she already hated. Niklaus saw the servant girl's eyes glistening with tears. Releasing her fragile hand, he basked in his triumph. That should teach her to not disrespect me, he thought as he waited to see her pained expression.
"Goodnight, Master." Kristina said in a small voice as she edged herself closer to the door till she finally slipped out the door, whipping away the beginning of her tears.
