Here's the first chapter! I got 14+ alerts for the prologue and I'm hoping there continues to be a steady incline!

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Diaries.

Note: The note from the prologue still applies. If you are confused, please refer to it.

Chapter One

February 21, 2012
Mystic Falls Grill

"'Ish not you, ish me.' He shaid that to me. Like I'm shome kind of…shtupid lady," Caroline slurred as she sat with her two best friends at the Lore-filled bar. She was nearly falling out of her seat, having drank enough to put a human in a coma. Luckily, she could only get drunker—a good part of being born a vampire. "Doesh he know who he'sh talkin' to? I'm Carboline Forbesh! I'm not shtupid!"

Elena, a full Valkyrie, patted her back comfortingly while also trying to contain her. "Caroline," she said, taking the heavy liquor from the blonde's hands, "you can't let this get you down. So one measly werewolf doesn't want you; you've got the rest of your immortal life to find a guy. A better guy, who can't kill you with one bite."

As the vampire started to feel herself sobering up, she turned an accusing glare to her other friend. "Bonnie! Don't ushe that shpell on me! I wanna shtay drunk!" she cried trying to move away as the witch gently shook her head. "You get plashtered with me and we'll make a night of it!" she begged, turning to the Valkyrie for support.

Finding none, she stood, feeling the wobble leave her step. Too late. It was already too late.

Glaring down at Bonnie as she composed herself, she growled, "You didn't have to sober me up. I wanted to be drunk. You would have too, if you'd just been dumped like an idiot." She crossed her arms over her chest with one hip cocked in a traditional bitch-fit-initiated stance.

Sure, she'd known things would end someday with her and Tyler, but she'd expected it to be once he found his mate—the female Fate gave to him to give him the family he'd always wanted. But he hadn't even found the woman and was leaving a fine specimen of female vampire such as Caroline?

Okay, yes, that was shallow and superficial, since their decade together had been sex, sex, sex, sex. But she was the best damn Vampire Barbie she could be! In heels, she stood at about five-eleven, with long legs that she usually kept bare—thank the gods for magic daylight rings!—or encased in second-skin jeans. She was lean and beautiful. Curling blonde hair rested at shoulder length, easily made disheveled if she was going for sex hair. Her green eyes swam with mischief near constantly, always looking for her next prank. She had frozen into her immortality at the chronological age of twenty-two, leaving her skin smooth and flawless, without scars or wrinkles to mar it.

Damnit, she was hot!

And she'd been turned away by the unattached werewolf she'd been with for over a decade. Like she was an old piece of paper with the words of a long-ago meeting written upon it.

"Caroline, we get it, we really do," Elena said, standing as well. Though Elena was tall for a Valkyrie, she was still nowhere near her friend's heeled height. "But there's something we've got to tell you about."

"Yeah," Bonnie agreed, stepping forward as well. She eyed the others around them nervously, dropping her voice low to—hopefully—keep it between them. "My coven got word that a soothsayer is looking for you. When we asked why, we were told about some fallen king coming to take you." The witch bit her lip, worrying it between her teeth.

Caroline was frozen at the words. No, he couldn't be coming for her. Not yet. She had been told that he would stay down for at least another few decades, maybe even a century! So why was the spell failing? "No, that's impossible," she said, sinking down into the closest chair. "That can't happen. He's locked away, remember? Otherwise he'd kill me. He wants to kill me."

Stepping forward, the brunette Valkyrie placed her hand on Caroline's shoulder, giving it a squeeze. "That's why we're here. We're thinking that it might be time for you to let Bonnie use the cloaking spell. If she can screw around with everyone's perception of you then maybe he won't be able to tell who you are." Elena's eyes were filled with sympathy as she gently stroked her friend's back, carefully tracking the emotions that crossed the blonde's face.

Of course she didn't want to be cloaked. But she really wanted to keep her head on her shoulders and avoid this whole fallen-king-coming-for-her business. Goodbye, sex life. It's been swell. Maybe we can meet back up in a century or two, she thought gloomily to herself as she turned to Bonnie, ready to give the okay.

But the African-American witch was too busy glaring towards the entrance to the bar. Following her gaze, Caroline found herself drawing a blank on the men's names that walked in.

Which was ridiculous. She knew every member of the Lore that lived in the surrounding area. She'd made a point to so, in the dead of night, she could stalk them and figure out if they were working for the man that wanted to kill her. Then she would take their heads if they posed a threat and be on her merry little way.

The two men standing in the doorway were easy to spot because they sucked all the oxygen from the room. It was obvious they were humans-turned-vampires by the way they continued with their human habits, such as breathing and darting eyes. A born vampire had never gone through a truly human stage and thus didn't feel the need to breathe very often nor fidget—it came with the confidence in their strength.

Few in the bar weren't watching them; most were bristling, ready to brawl. Because that was another thing turned vampires were known to do: come in, conquer, destroy. Most humans couldn't handle the transition in power and went mad because of their greed. And the only real threat to a vampire was either an older immortal or a wily werewolf; that's why they were even known to the human world, in a sense.

But these two seemed…different. Standing at about the same height, Caroline could see similarities in their looks that suggested they were brothers. The one that held himself back had brown hair that was styled up, his emerald green gaze brooding and sweeping over the crowd with a show of intimidation. His arms were crossed over a broad, muscular chest, feet braced apart, ready to move on a moment's notice. His strong jaw was clenched and she could hear the grind of tooth against tooth as the room became smothering-still.

The other, however, was smirking with arrogance, straight white teeth flashing as she caught the hint of fangs. He knew that there was a threat in this building, yet he was still walking in, sniffing around. Black hair fell around his face in waves, making his lightly-tanned skin stand out. Electric blue eyes surveyed the room, watching every being in the bar at once, challenging and warning away at the same time. He held himself loosely, predatory in the way he downplayed his true strength.

Just as Caroline was about to comment on things just getting interesting, Elena breathed a quick, "Shit!" before ducking behind her friend.

A Valkyrie hiding? That wasn't a good sign.

Turning a glance over her shoulder quickly so as not to be seen by the newcomers, she murmured, "And what's with that reaction? I'd say they're pretty hot." She was already eyeing Mr. Brooding for herself. "You can take the black-haired one. I just want Green Gaze for myself." She could feel her flinch against her back.

"You don't understand, Caroline," Elena whispered heatedly, pinching her friend's arm. "He thinks I'm his—"

"Just looking for my Bride, folks. Go about your business in a natural…ish fashion," the blue-eyed vampire called out before his gaze slowly traveled to the three women next to the bar. Or two, if you were looking from his point of view.

Bonnie spun a disbelieving look at Elena. "You're his Bride?! Oh, dear God!" She turned to Caroline. "Time to get her out of here and back to the house."

Giving a quick nod, the born vampire turned to the crowd, shouting, "This isn't a drill, people! Two turned vampires on a rampage! Let's take 'em down!"

All it took were those words from her and the tension in the room exploded in violence, several demons ripping bolted-down tables from the floor and tossing them around, storming forward. A few shapeshifters started to transform, more powerful in their animal forms. Illusions from sorcerers and sorceresses flared around them.

That was their cue to bolt. Bonnie cleared a path with a quick spell for Elena before following after her, Caroline bringing up the rear. Just as they broke out into the evening light, they heard the occupants of the bar flying this way and that, though they were sure the brothers wouldn't make it out unscathed. Well, the blue-eyed one might; he was after his Bride, after all.

There was only one thing more dangerous than a vampire after his Bride and that was a werewolf after his mate.

Caroline breathed a sigh of relief that she was neither.

Running towards the car she'd "borrowed"—not that she would tell Bonnie or Elena so—they heard the door fly out behind them, splintering into thousands of little pieces.

"I'll take care of this; bring Elena back with you!" Caroline shouted over the sound of the male roaring. Cracking her neck with a roll of her shoulders, she turned on the bar, smiling. "It's been far too long since I had a real fight," she added quietly as the vampire started charging for her, too quickly for her to trace with her eyes. Was turned awhile ago. Probably a century or two old.

But then he suddenly fell backwards as he hit an invisible wall. Instantly he was back on his feet, vampire face showing as Elena ducked behind the car.

Caroline turned a glare to Bonnie. "Really? I can't even have one fight? I just wanted to smack him around a bit!" she pleaded, though she was already bolting for the front seat of the car.

As she turned on the ignition and the witch hopped in beside her, she heard the vampire shout, "Don't you dare take her!"

Sticking her head out the window as the tires squealed against the paved parking lot, the blonde called, "Then catch us if you can, Blue Eyes!" With that, she took off, weaving easily through the streets and away from the vampire still held back by the invisible force field that Bonnie had conjured. Once they were far enough from the bar, Caroline slowed down, glancing back at Elena with a sly grin. "So, deets on the vampire back there?"

The Valkyrie shook her head. "Just get me home."

-.-.-.-.-

"Just stay here for tonight, Caroline," Bonnie begged for the thousandth time. "The cloaking spell is going to take a bit of research to find and I might not be able to do it if you aren't here. Please, for one night, stay here with us."

Caroline glanced up at the other witches that formed the Bennett House, noting that they still watched her with discomfort and distrust. Shaking her head, she plastered a smile to her face. "Nah, it'll just be better for me to go home. That way I don't have to worry about blood bags or anything."

The witch eyed her, sensing that it wasn't the only reason—though she didn't realize that her family still hated her choice of friends—but not arguing with her. "Fine," she said finally, crossing her arms over her chest. "But go straight home and don't leave until I get there. If he really is coming for you—"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Death to Caroline for no reason whatsoever. Got it." Caroline spun away, going to the door to swing it wide open. She added over her shoulder a bit softer, "Bonnie, I'm not going to go off and get myself killed. I'm still staying in Matt's house, okay? He's mortal—for the time being—so no vampire can get in his house without an invitation." Probably. With that, she took off, bolting to her car and driving it as fast as she could until she was far away from the Bennett House and all their judge-y witches.

Yes, she loved Bonnie for all the help she was, for how she'd stuck by her for half a century. But, gods, she couldn't stand her family. All because of how she was born—something she couldn't control!—she was watched like someone might a serial killer.

I've never even drunk a being to death, yet they watch me like that. I have great control, she comforted herself as she sped closer and closer to the berserker's home.

But could she deny that she hated that part of herself too? She hated that she needed to drink blood to survive, that something as simple as a request would immediately send a human—or a weak immortal—running to do her bidding. It wasn't fair to them. Nor was the way that other immortals side-stepped her, as if she were that one creepy guy at the party that everyone knows who stands too close to you.

She wished she was a witch or a Valkyrie; no one would look at her that way then. Instead, she'd be met with respect and have all these dirty secrets about her species going about.

"I heard Valkyrie go crazy if you can master them in bed."

"Yeah? Well witches can keep you going all night long—magical viagra."

There was nothing like that about vampire women. Unless you counted the bite-whore humans—male and female—that thought getting their blood sucked during sex was hot. Something Caroline didn't understand in the least.

As the vampire's mind drifted, she was caught off guard when she saw something in her rearview mirror.

And it was catching up to her.

"Oh, no," she growled. "I am so not in the mood for this today!" Snarling, she slammed on the breaks and forced the car to spin until she faced the being heading for her. Haven't quite christened this car yet with a vehicular homicide, she thought to herself with a chuckle as she floored it, speeding straight for the oncoming monster.

Whatever it was, it obviously wanted to win this little game of chicken.

Unfortunately, Caroline Forbes was in a killing mood. As they got closer and closer, she forced the car faster until it shook beneath her grip, reaching its limit. In the blink of an eye, however, the battle was over and she heard something hit the hood.

And dig in.

The car lifted, then, forcing a cry out of her. Not good, not good, not good, she chanted in her mind as she grabbed her sword out of the backseat. Sure, she wasn't as handy with it as Elena, but she sure as hell wouldn't go down without a fight.

As the car—her precious baby—rose until it was perpendicular to the ground, she leapt out, landing in a crouch away from her attacker. Spinning on her heel, she lifted her lips in a hiss, brandishing her sword. "You wanna fight me? Bring it!"

That was when she recognized him as Blue Eyes, the vampire from the bar. His face was contorted, changing into its beastly form as he threw the car away like a child's toy. "Where is she?" he demanded, fangs and claws flashing in the light of the moon.

Standing up straight and throwing her sword over one shoulder, Caroline laughed. "As if, Blue Eyes. I'm so not letting you get anywhere near Elena. I don't care if she's your Bride or whatever." I'm playing with fire, she thought as her mother's words rang through her head.

Never get between a vampire and his Bride. The only thing worse is a werewolf and his mate.

-.-.-.-.-

"Would you care to tell me what we're doing in the woods?" Rebekah snarled as she glared at his back. "I just bought these boots and now they're caked with mud. Do you have any idea how much they cost?"

Klaus rolled his eyes, glancing over his shoulder at her. "They're hiking boots, sister. They're meant to get dirty." As the scent of wolves began to dissipate, he lifted his head. Something…else was coming to him. Something that smelt like violent seas: strong and ready for battle with just that hint of creation.

It was beautiful.

"Oh, don't you dare go all wolfy on me now, Nik! We have something important to do!" Rebekah cried, appearing in front of him. "If we don't find this pack, we might not be able to take Elijah back!"

But his mind was gone, trapped with whatever the creature he was smelling might be. His heart beat wildly in his chest, drowning out all sound. It was her, he realized. The woman that would be his queen.

With barely a glance at his sister, Klaus said, "I'll be back. Continue the search. You will only find me a hindrance right now."

Rebekah's eyes widened and her hand went to her mouth. "No, it can't be. Not now!"

But he was already gone, crashing through the woods to find the source. Because he intended to have her that night. Then he could go on with his search for his eldest brother's whereabouts without distraction.

He just had to meet her.

Suddenly finding himself on the side of the road, his eyes instantly went to two beings locked in battle, one a dark-haired male, the other a blonde female. Both were vampires, he knew instantly.

When the male attacked the female, knocking her feet out from under her, Klaus could barely contain his fury. Fangs bursting from his jaws, he roared loud, moving so fast their eyes couldn't track him until he stood above the female.

There was a long moment of silence before the male in front of him smirked, obviously planning on doing away with them both.

"Okay, dude, this is not the time for you to be standing over me!" the female snarled. His leg was suddenly out from under him, just as she was. Her sword moved in a blurring flash as she struck for the male's head, hissing when he merely held it away. "But if you wanna help out now, that would be fantastic!"

Distracted by the need to protect her, Klaus didn't need anymore pushing.

In the blink of an eye, he had his hand wrapped around the male's throat, lifting him off the ground. "Stay away from my woman," he growled lowly, bringing the vampire's face closer to his. "Or I'll rip off your goddamned head."

-.-.-.-.-

Okay, Chapter Two will be posted tomorrow from Tumblr. Unless I get Chapter Five done tonight. Then I'll just post them all tonight so I don't have to keep playing catch up.

My Tumblr URL is CeceVolume.