When Mikael and Louis first met
Paris, 1585
If you had told Louis DuBois that morning that he would soon meet the person who would change his life, he most likely would have thought you were a random lunatic.
Twenty-four hours later, he would be sorry he didn't listen to you.
It had been an ordinary night for Louis. He certainly was not expecting to stumble a vicious vampire killer (who was actually a vampire himself) doing just that-killing vampires-on a quiet little street in a bad part of town.
"What are you staring at?" he snapped at Louis.
"I, er-" Louis recovered from his initial shock and said, "I'm Louis DuBois. I am a vampire, and I can tell you are one as well. Why are you killing your own kind?"
"What does it matter to you?" The killer pushed past Louis and went on down the street.
Now, if Louis were really smart, he would have stayed away from this murderous stranger. But he was fascinated. This was the most interesting thing that had happened to him in days.
"Wait!" Louis ran down the street to catch up with him. "Will you tell me your name, Monsieur?"
"You want to know me, Monsieur DuBois?" The stranger turned back and stared him down with those cold eyes. "I am Mikael, the vampire who hunts vampires, the Destroyer."
"Oh. Are you?" Louis had certainly heard of him, but had never expected to meet him.
"And do not follow me any further." Mikael began to walk away, but Louis just followed him.
"Please, Monsieur Mikael, you fascinate me. Why do you destroy your own kind? Who are you hunting?"
"Stop following me. I walk alone."
"You aren't now, are you? Come with me and rest for a while, Monsieur Mikael. I know a nearby tavern where we can have a drink and talk."
Mikael stopped walking. "And why should I?"
"Because you are lonely. I can see it. Oh, come, you must need a friend."
"I suppose...one drink would not do any harm."
"You're hunting a particular someone, are you not?"
"You could say that." Mikael took a sip of his ale. "This is absolutely horrible."
"I know. But who is it? Who do you want to destroy so badly?"
Mikael narrowed his eyes at Louis. "Why do you want to know?"
"Because I am entirely bored with my life. Coming across you was the most interesting thing that has happened to me in weeks. Do you have any friends? Companions? Who do you talk to besides yourself?"
Mikael sighed deeply. "It is my stepson. He goes by the name of Klaus Mikaelson. I suppose you've heard."
"There are few who do not know the name. What did he do to you?"
"He killed my wife, his own mother. He murdered her in cold blood, and then turned my own children against me. They are loyal to him, and want nothing to do with me." Mikael turned away, and Louis thought he saw tears his in the hunter's eyes. But he quickly regained himself. "That is why I hunt him. I will not hurt my children. I just want him gone from this world forever."
"I see. Where will you go next?"
"He is somewhere here in France, I know he is. I have only to find him. Perhaps I can make my children realize what a monster he is."
"And will you need help?"
"Help?" Mikael repeated. "I told you I walk alone. I do not need help."
"Oh, but I can help you." Louis leaned closer. "I am a heretic. Do you know what that is? A vampire with witch powers. I am very powerful. I can help you in your conquest."
Mikael looked considerate. "And you would really be willing to?"
"Yes, I would. I am."
"But you are only doing this because you are bored." Mikael got up from his chair. "I don't see why I should let you help me."
Louis got up and followed him out of the tavern. "Just let me come. I will follow you anyway."
Mikael turned back and gave him a long, hard stare.
"Do not get in my way, or you will be my next victim."
Louis grinned and gladly followed the hunter through the streets of Paris.
