It was quiet. No one was speaking. However, everyone was staring. With hate, distrust, disappointment. My family was displeased with me. Especially Elijah. It was fine that Elijah, Finn, and Rebekah weren't talking to me. It was disturbing that Kol, Marcel, and Genevieve weren't. As for the others… Tyler, Katerina, and Sage… I didn't mind, only Tyler's silence upset me.
The atmosphere was so thick you might could cut it with a knife. They blamed me. As they should. For the death of Kara. Elijah had been utterly outraged when he learned of what had happened to her. For what had happened at the cemetery.
Speaking of the cemetery, the factions were just fine with me, if only a bit resentful but they moved on. All except for my Father. He has been repeatedly requesting my presence down at the bayou. He is disturbed about what he's been told of how I got to Kara, how I used Kara, and how I murdered her in cold blood during my brother's honeymoon. Of course I refused to go to the bayou. I refused to go anywhere near him. I knew exactly what he wanted.
I've only called a meeting once between the factions to warn them of attacking Davina and those who dared to attack her. Davina herself had cut herself away from me. I didn't mind. She'd get over it eventually, when she learned of the power she'd now been given, and the trust I had installed in her from the other witches when they saw how she treated me after learning of Kara's death. They loved having her as a leader and trusted her with their whole being.
Finally, Camille was still having me attend those little sessions and I actually enjoyed going there because we were alone. I could talk as I choose and she wouldn't be judging me silently the whole time.
Mikael, Dahlia, Esther, and Freya had all returned from where they'd gone. When they heard, they didn't exactly act surprised. Esther was disappointed however. I didn't care. I don't even bother with my parents lately. They'll only get in my way. 'Punish' me for my 'wrong doings'.
I looked up to notice that everyone had finished their breakfast and had moved on. I quickly choked down my breakfast before I headed off. I had things to do today. Like inviting Jeremy Gilbert to my home and teaching Tyler and Jeremy things.
…
As I went to wait at the door, I passed by a painting. It caught my attention and I turned to look. It was Elijah. The words always and forever shot straight to the surface of my mind and I scoffed. That vow has been broken so many times that the vow no longer stands. We are only a broken family now. I heard a knock on the door and went to answer it.
It was Jeremy. I smiled. "Ah. Jeremy. Glad you could make it. How are things in Mystic Falls? Your sister still breathing?" I asked. He cleared his throat, looking all but comfortable. "Don't mind me. Just getting the formalities out of the way. Let me show you to your room that you will be living in until Christmas." I told him. He picked up his bag and headed toward me. I walked up the stairs toward his room. I'd already decorated it with his sense of style. He'd been here for the whole of June so I'd had time to learn more about him.
On the way we passed Elijah. He stopped in his tracks, staring at me. I stared back. This lasted a whole of two minutes before his eyes darted to Jeremy. "Hello Jeremy. I hope you enjoy your stay." He said, giving him a smile before quickly moving off.
"Um… what was that about?" Jeremy asked.
"Brother's upset about something I did. Don't worry. He's a grown man. His anger won't hurt you. He only intends to hurt me. Come." I said as I continued my trek to his room. It was next to Tyler's, right across from Marcel's. The children's, Kolinn and Geena, rooms had been moved. They didn't want me near my kids. Hayley and Genevieve. I didn't mind, or so I told myself. It gave me more freedom.
Every time I attempted to care for my children, they'd hurry it along and do it themselves. It pissed me off. In actuality all I could feel was anger. Though I kept it to a minimum. I refused to pay attention to it. Greta had taught me that if I ignore my anger that at some point it would ease out. Even if I've never attempted to keep my anger reeled in.
…
Freya had moved in. Of course if this was of her own accord or of her parents own accord was a mystery to me. I would make sure to treat her as a guest in my home. At least she would talk to me… when none of my siblings were in the room of course… It is as if I was the outsider.
…
I was waiting for Camille to arrive now. I was having an art show. I was thinking of opening an art museum. It'd be interesting. My Beta hybrid had been suggesting it for weeks and I finally conceded to his wish.
"Camille. Thanks for coming."
"Why did you ask me to meet you here?" She asked, looking nervous.
"I hoped we could have a session here and I thought you'd appreciate the change in venue. That house gets depressing. I'm allowing you a private tour." I told her, smirking. "Of my exhibition." She was surprised.
"These… are yours?"
"I've spent the better part of a millennia trying not to draw Mikael's attention and now he's dead and all those who stood against me have been vanquished. I see no reason the fruits of my labor should go unappreciated."
"I didn't come here to appreciate art. If you want to talk about your progress as a person striving for empathy fine, if not I'll go."
"Have I offended you?" I asked, showing concern.
"I agreed to see you professionally but I was very clear when I set our boundaries and they don't include private art shows."
"Oh. Well then, perhaps you would like to escort me to tomorrow's opening." She sighed.
"Call me if you want to talk." She stepped aside and headed out but she stopped half way. "Wait." Did she change her mind? I mean, I thought we were friends! No one says no to Klaus! Ever! At least not in a long time. I saw her turn back toward me. "You're worried no one else will come." Worried? I tried not to laugh. "Rebekah won't talk to you, Marcel's angry, Elijah won't even look at you. You'll be alone." She dared to walk straight up to my face. "You're scared." I felt the anger in me surge. "Because the people you love are angry with you. Maybe you need to think about that." I narrowed my eyes at her as she pulled out her phone. When she looked at me again, I gave her a kind smile. "I have to go." This time she did leave. She didn't even let me get a word in. She knows nothing! I have a pack of hybrids.
I pulled out my phone and dialed my son. "Marcel. Tell the factions, it's time for a meeting." I told him.
…
"Don't worry. I know it's late. This is a quick meeting." I told them. They looked up at my sudden appearance. "You will all send a group of your… people to my exhibition. If you do not, don't expect me to be lenient. Now if you wish to talk to each other of other things, please. Go right ahead. Marcel will gladly report back to me on any decisions that have been made during this meeting."
"Wait! You're leaving?" Marcel demanded, looking at me.
"Yes. I'm leaving. I only needed to say what I've said and it's time for me to go."
"Niklaus, please, stay." Father asked. I ignored him.
"But you're the king." Marcel retorted. "You can't just-"
"That's where you're wrong Marcel!" I told him. "I'm the King. That's exactly why I can do as I please. Is being Prince of the City too much for you to handle, if it is, just inform me and I'll have Tyler fill in on my position. He can be the leader of my pack of hybrids."
"No, I can handle it."
"Good." I vamped off before any more retorts could be thrown my way.
…
I was at the bar, drinking myself silly. I messed up somewhere and I don't know how to fix it. I hate New Orleans… no I love New Orleans. I don't know where Stefan is. Caroline refuses to pick up on my calls and… I'm alone. Again. I'd tried to get some better sleep earlier but I'd just ended up having that same nightmare. I've been having it every single night since the end of August.
I groaned when a stupid song came on the radio. 'Alone Again Naturally'. Yes, naturally, I'm alone. A new scent hit my nose. I looked up to see Lucien. I groaned. Damn it! I threw my glass at him. "I don't need a reminder that Lucien is dead." Because of me.
"Well hello to you too."
"Go away before I murder you." I told him… it… whatever it was. I sighed as I picked up another drink. "I'm sorry you're dead but I'm too drunk for this conversation."
"And a little too mopey too. What happened to you?"
"A multitude of things have happened to me." I said, flipping my hand up, throwing my palm in the air. It fell back down, palm face down. I put my lips to my finger. "I murdered Mikael." I saw a second later it disappeared. "Good."
…
People had come to my exhibition. Brilliant. Though right now I heard someone saying bad things about my Genevieve. My first impulse was vamp over, rip open his jugular and drain him dry for daring to say such vile things. However I just stood there, taking it, taking in his scent for later.
"Wouldn't expect you to host an art show without compelling the critics to speak your praise." Lucien? He's alive? Who cares. Just talk to it. It's better than no one.
"And I wouldn't expect an uncultured savage to crash such a formal affair." Maybe it'll go away. I smirked at him, happy to have a friend who doesn't mind the mess I make.
"Not my usual scene." He looked over at my three intended targets. "Though, that mouthy blood bag does have a point. Your work is derivative-"
"Oh?"
"-of Degas, I'd say. Although, I happen to know that you compelled Degas to mentor you. I always thought his work improved after your influence." I grinned. Yes. A friend. I gestured at him.
"You, my friend, have an eye for art."
"Well, live long enough and you develop a taste for it… among other things. Speaking of which, can we please have a drink. I'm quite parched."
"Go ahead then."
"I meant with you." I smirked, laughing. I threw my arm around his shoulder and led him to the bar.
…
I was talking with Lucien when I got a call. I tried to ignore it but then it rang again. Same person. It happened a third time and I finally dismissed myself away from Lucien to answer the damn phone. "What is it?" I demanded.
"Hunters. Elijah's out here, entertaining Jackson's pack and the other werewolves. Their hunting wolves, say their going to tear down the bayou and make… condos and mini golf. I knew you'd want to hear about it. Someone went against you. You said no one touches the bayou."
"Yes I recall saying that. Did they tell who their working for?"
"Kingmaker something."
"Well find out and get back to me. I will not act unless I have all the details. Oh, and keep them safe will you." I hung up and went back to my friend.
…
"Kol was a bloody loon! I loved it. But Finn- Finn was fine… as long as you didn't actually have to speak to him." I couldn't stop laughing. Lucien was giving me a fine time. I might replace Stefan with Lucien for now. Until he comes back. Sure I could track him down but right now I'm needed here. Speaking of need, I saw Camille walk in.
"I need to speak to someone." He hummed, delighted.
"Anyone tasty?"
"Stay here and behave yourself."
"Always!" He called. I laughed to myself. Lucien was a great friend.
"I suppose later is better than never, but you are late indeed." I told her, giving her a smirk.
"I'm not here for the show. I have a problem and you weren't answering your phone." She looked behind me, her eyes landing on Lucien. "Who's the dirt bag eyeing me like I'm a rack of lamb? Old friend?" she asked. I rolled my eyes.
"Just an old acquaintance."
"Old acquaintance? You wound me!" Lucien replied, acting as if I'd just stabbed him in the chest with a small knife. I smirked, shaking my head in disbelief at his hilarious antics.
"He can hear us?" Wait did he speak loud enough for her to hear? I looked between the two, confused.
"Quite the opposite, actually. Side effect I inherited from Nik." She knows he's a vampire.
"Let's preserve your boundaries. What did you want?"
"Someone tortured and killed a local. Left the body right out in the open. I think it was a vampire." You mean you think it's me. I felt my anger rise but I just ignored it, taking a deep breath as I did so.
"Yes, well, vampire business is Marcel's purview. Check with him. He's in charge of all the vampires in this town. I control the whole lot. I don't have time to make sure every single member of the community is on their best behavior, now do I?" I asked her. She looked at me, hurt. I turned around and headed back towards Lucien. "By all means, check with Marcel."
…
The art show was over now. I'd been pouring drink after drink down my throat as I watched them leave, staring at my paintings. Lucien had walked around a bit himself but every time he ended up right back at my side. Here he comes now.
"Your pretty friend seems to have fouled your mood. Why don't we go out? Paint the town… red. Etcetera etcetera." I finished my wine before looking at him, my head spinning a bit.
"Lucien, why did you come here? Why did you come to my city- what are you really doing here?" I asked. He looked worried for a second… maybe I just imagined it.
"News has spread, old friend. Every vampire in the world knows you've been attacked. A number of times, nearly killed."
"Killed? I'm too powerful for that! I'm the strongest thing in the world! How dare you doubt my power, my strength! Those who stood against me ended up dead!" He laughed, trying to lighten the mood… or my mood?
"Yes, but… what if it had gone the other way, hmm? When Finn was killed, we all learned the truth– the life of every vampire is linked back to the Original who begat the line. Kol's death confirmed it. Two entire lines of vampires wiped out! As you can imagine, the threat level doesn't sit well with those of us who remain." I raised my hand, almost reaching for his neck but quickly grabbed a passing by glass of wine.
"Anyone fearing death as a result of my demise should come see me. I'll be happy to reassure them." He was nervous.
"Of course. You and your siblings are mighty, indeed. Though, the attacks on you show that you are not completely invulnerable. While you've wallowed in your family affairs, your progeny have grown somewhat… restless. The world is a finite place, territory limited. And even ancient vampires are not above vicious turf-wars. What if I told you there's a growing conflict between the remaining three sirelines?" My only reply was to give him a dark look. I resisting the urge to kill him. "Suppose one of them wanted to annihilate the other? By killing Elijah? Rebekah? You?"
"So, you came all this way to deliver a warning?" Or threaten me?
"Think about it! Kill an Original, wipe out an entire line of competition! A tempting goal, made more so by the fact that your family is divided and thus weaker than you have ever been!" I got in his face, wrapping a hand around his throat.
"My family is hardly weak! In fact, we are unkillable— the last of the white oak is gone. My mother made sure of it. To get me to like her no less." His eyes narrowed.
"Are you so certain it's all gone? Every last splinter of it? Vanished for good?" I smirked. He's threatening me now. I vamped him up against a wall and banged his head against it, hearing him grunt in pain.
"Lucien, if you had even the slightest inkling any fragment of white oak still existed, of course you would tell me." He was indeed worried now.
"Easy, Nik." He gently, slowly removed my hand from his neck. I allowed him to do so. "You are my sire. My fate is linked to yours. If you want to know what I do about the dangers you now face, trust me enough to come with me. There is something that you must see." I followed him out of the building, curious about where he wanted to take me.
…
He'd led me to a tall building and we went up to the top before he stopped and talked to me. "Please excuse the mess! I've been entertaining." We walked into his place. I found loud music and people dancing. Some of them were feeding. Vampires. This is a place I'd love to be. I could party, be myself, and have all the fun things and dirty things I wanted.
"Is this your bachelor pad?" I asked, amused at his antics. This man is like an upgraded Rippah. He led me to the master bedroom. There was a table that looked like a witch lived there. He has a witch? Bones, herbs. This is what he wanted me to see? I turned to him. "You brought me here to have a seánce?" I snarled. I quickly tried to calm down. I don't want to scare him away. He closed the doors behind us. Is he going to trap me in here?
"Something like that." Lucien gestured toward a woman. "I present my personal forecaster, the lovely Alexis." I turned to address her.
"Don't tell me you're here to scry some future portents of my doom?"
"Alexis is no back-alley palm-reader. She's an expert cipher— patterns, trends, cycles… She does exceptionally well on the stock market, and never fails to guess the winner of The Bachelorette." She might be interesting. She walked toward me and I took a step back, raising my head in a challenge. "Come on Nik, don't be like that." Lucien said soothingly. I let her get close to me and she seductively dragged her hand across my chest. Her palm opened a moment later.
"Touch forward, isn't she?" I asked, smirking at Lucien.
"I've heard so much about you. The famous hybrid. Your ancient heart beats strong indeed for someone in such danger." I bared my teeth in a fake smile.
"If you know so much about me then you know you best get on with it if you have a warning to deliver, love." She bloody shrugged at me and Lucien helped her remove a piece of her clothing, revealing her dress.
"By all means! But, if you want the most from the experience, I suggest you feed on me. As you do, I'll allow you into my mind. She brushed her hair off her neck, baring her throat to me. "You can see for yourself." I laughed at her as Lucien lifted her wrist to his mouth. I took a step back. I will not be manipulated.
"Come on, how long has it been since we shared a real drink?" I tilted my head at him, refusing. He sighed. "Nik, please? For me?"
"Just what do you hope to gain by me biting into her exactly? If she's so powerful, why doesn't she just spout it out?" I asked.
"She likes to be kinky this way." I rolled my eyes. He's not going to leave me alone until I feed from her.
"You're going to pester me until I bite her?" I asked.
"Yes because I would like to best know how to defend my sire." He cares. He really does care about me. That's amazing. After all these years. I vamped forward and bit into her neck and Lucien bit into her wrist. I received visions from her while I fed.
"Drink deep, but beware— what you broke is past repair."
I saw my house, the dining room. It had lit candles on the table and was set for a meal, but otherwise, the room was empty. Suddenly, I saw me appear, standing at the end of the table to address Elijah, who was frowning and standing at the other end. Lucien sat on the left side and was watching silently. Suddenly the table is completely trashed, and the room is darkened.
"All your oaths you betrayed, your sacred vows you've severed. And now you see that nothing last for always and forever." Bitch. I growled as the vision changed, my teeth not allowed to remove themselves from her throat.
It was my living room, the wall of painted portraits hang. The painting of Elijah is suddenly splashed by a fount of blood, which ran down the length of the painting, obscuring his face.
"Three yet remain, two already crossed— yet, in one year's time, you'll all be lost. As your family is undone, you will seed the beast that is to come."
Now I saw a witch grimoire, which was open to some page full of magical symbols and instructions, before it turned to a very muscular man, who opened his mouth to growl, revealing extremely long and sharp fangs. She finally finished her prophecy and I grabbed her throat, squeezing hard enough to prevent her from breathing.
"You think you can fool me with bad poetry and parlor tricks?" I snarled. I released my strangle hold.
"My visions are conjured from you. The threat you face will be more clear the longer I am in your presence. Kill me, and you'll never see what's coming." I bashed her head against one of the walls, furious. I looked at Lucien. He was watching, scared for her safety. I looked back at her. She wasn't afraid. I growled at her and released her.
Lucien kissed Alexis' left hand palm, smiling at her affectionately before walking toward me. "I told you— something is coming. You'll need me." I looked at him. I groaned, angry. I threw him against the closest wall.
"I AM KLAUS MIKAELSON! I don't need anyone, nor will I be warned by lesser men!" I shouted at him. I vamped toward him, leaning in close so my teeth were near his ear. "I am the thing lesser men fear!" I whispered only to get shoved in the chest. I saw him smirk at me.
"Then act like it!" He chuckled as I growled at him, baring my teeth, ready to attack him. "Instead of doting on your pretty human girls and pouting about your family's disapproval! Yes, you are Klaus Mikaelson! You are the most ruthless, wicked beast to ever live!" He's… scolding me? He pointed at me and my mood had changed to amused. He poked me in the chest with his index finger. "I came here to remind you of that. Because, quite frankly, I've been worried that you've lost a step." I was back to being furious.
"I need no reminding of who I am. That truth has been clear to me for a thousand years." I growled at him.
"And, in those years, you've acquired countless enemies. And, with the sirelines at war, you now have mine as well." Lucien walked over to the window, staring out at the city as he leaned against the wall. "Anyone who would kill me can now come after you. And, since I have so many rivals, and because I do not want to die, I beg you— let me help you! From now on, I'm the only one you can trust!"
"You've not given me reason to trust you Lucien!" I snarled at him, heading for the door.
…
"Who's there?" Cami asked, scared. I approached her, not wanting her to be scared. I was holding a painting I planned on giving to her.
"You're on edge." She yelped and turned to face me. She wasn't scared anymore.
"And you're… trespassing! You can't just come— I mean, Klaus, seriously!"
"I didn't come here to quarrel, I came here to offer a gift." I told her, placing the painting on the desk, propping it up. Camille rolled her eyes. "Maybe in exchange for one of our little chats, which I'm in particular need, given as my brother doesn't bother to answer his calls, and now my old mate Lucien swanned into town with all manner of troubling news-" She cut me off.
"Fine. If you want to talk it through, come back tomorrow." I sat down, refusing to leave.
"I'm afraid I need to talk about it now."
"No. No! You don't get to just come into my house uninvited!"
"Well, you already invited me in once, love, so technically-" She cut me off again. …She doesn't want to talk to me. No one ever does anymore. I felt pain mix with my unending anger.
"Don't do that! Don't be so flippant and self-absorbed! Right now, people like me are out there getting killed by people like you- conveniently timed with the arrival of your 'old acquaintance!' And you just barge in here and start mouthing off orders? I get it, you're a vampire, it's a tortured existence, I'm sorry, but do you really have to be such an insensitive disappointment?" For a minute I didn't see Camille O'Connell. I saw Crystal Hailing.
I stepped aside and headed for the back door, from where I'd came from in the first place. She grabbed my arm, trying to stop me. "Keep the gift. I painted it for you." I told her. I vamped away, as I felt tears pool in my eyes.
…
I'd been sitting on the ground, contemplating what I'm going to do next. I was seated half cross legged but my other leg was laying on top of my ankle as I sat there, leaning against the wall, drinking from a bottle of whiskey. I'd decided that I needed to get out all my anger and I would wait for that man who didn't like my work.
When I could smell him coming, I stood up and hid against the wall. When he passed me, I came out to greet him. "Good evening! I wonder if we might discuss your analysis of my work?" I said before pulling him into the alley and throwing him on the ground. I pinned him to the ground with my knee before ripping off his left arm and then his right arm before ripping off his legs as well, essentially dismembering him. Then I grabbed into his hair and scalped him. At this point I fed him blood to keep him alive. I had so much more pain to offer him. In the end I'll drain him dry before tearing him to shreds, hiding the body.