Cami
The last serious relationship I had was my sophomore year of college. At least we tried to make it serious, after two months we realized it just wasn't working. After that, I was casual. I went on dates ever so often but it wasn't a priority. Let me tell you, no man was as perceptive as Klaus Mikaelson. He paid attention to everything.
We spent time together. He'd come over and watch a movie, or take me out to this cool spot he found. One time I got out of a class and Klaus was waiting for me. The next time he sat in on one of my classes. Klaus was terrible, he distracted me the whole time with his critique of the information my teacher gave. I told him he wasn't allowed back again. Other times, Klaus was just around. He'd relax while I did my homework, ask me questions about my life.
It's not like we spent every waking moment together. Klaus gave me space, and some days I didn't see him. We'd text, and I always smiled when I saw his name pop up in my notifications. I hadn't told Uncle Kieran or Sean. They were busy with Faction business and I didn't want to worry them. Okay, I also didn't want them giving Klaus the third degree. I'd tell Sean when Klaus and I decided what we were. For now, we were friends. Klaus kept his word. We hadn't had sex, or even kissed (even though Klaus let me know he wanted to). In fact, he rarely touched me. It's like he was afraid I'd break.
I also thought it was possible Klaus was a vampire. Call me crazy, or paranoid. There was something about him. I never heard Klaus behind me, and there was this graceful way he moved. Sometimes when we would talk Klaus sounded like an old soul. But Klaus never got jumpy around fire, or wooden stakes. The only real evidence (and I could barely call it that) I had was his weird behavior when I asked him about the ring he wore.
We were sitting outside, in the sun, waiting for one of my classes to start. I asked Klaus about it. He absently flexed his right hand when I mentioned it. "Family heirloom." Klaus held his hand out so I could see it better.
I gently took his hand and peered at it, ignoring the waves of electricity I felt. "It looks ancient." I commented. "Mind if I take it off to get a closer look?"
"Yes." Klaus took his hand out of mine and changed the subject.
I frowned but let it go. When we went inside, Klaus slipped the ring off and let me hold it. I didn't make a big deal out of it. If this was a daylight ring, then it was spelled by a witch, allowing Klaus to walk in sunlight without bursting into flames. Or it could be a regular ring Klaus was touchy about. The only way I could be sure would be dousing Klaus in vervain, which would burn him if he were a vampire. If he wasn't, my soul mate would think I was insane. I couldn't think of any discreet way to test Klaus for vampirism so I pushed the thought away. Knowing creatures of the night lived in New Orleans made me paranoid. Klaus was normal.
I was working my shift at Rousseau's when Marcel Gerard, king of the vamps himself, walked in. "Cami." Marcel revealed his perfect teeth.
I had to give it to him, the man oozed charm. "Marcel." I nodded curtly.
Marcel took a seat across from me. "I'll take an old whiskey, beautiful." He pushed a crisp bill towards me. "When are we going to go on that date?" I ignored him and gave him his drink. Marcel laughed. "Don't be rude."
"Don't you get peckish." I retorted. "Snack on any of the customers and I'll personally drive a stake through your heart."
Marcel raised an eyebrow, "You promise?" he sighed. "O'Connells are always so uptight, but fierce. I respect that." Marcel raised his bottle to me. "Don't worry I'm here to meet your brother and uncle. Feeding isn't on the list. Ah, here come your brother and uncle now."
Sean and Uncle Kieran strolled through the door, deep in conversation. Sean lit up when he saw me. "Cami, how have you been?"
"Busy, like you."
Sean was handsome. I knew he was before but now I saw him in full color vision. Sean's brown hair contrasted with his green eyes and his lips were a healthy shade of pink. Kieran waved at me and sat next to Marcel. Sean sat on the other side of our uncle. His face scrunched as he looked at me.
"Wait a minute. Cami, you're different."
Sean's gaze startled me. "I am?" Kieran and Marcel studied me.
"You're glowing." Sean appraised me. Something clicked in his mind. "Did your professor stop giving you grief?"
I relaxed. "Yeah, I talked to him after class a few times and he laid off. He even complimented my last paper."
"Atta girl." Sean grinned. I felt bad for lying to him about Klaus.
"You've always been smart, Cami." Uncle Kieran rubbed his eyes. "Where does the time go?"
"It flies like that." Marcel snapped his fingers. "One minute you're shaking hands with the mayor the next you're talking to his descendants, three generations later."
My uncle rolled his eyes. "Yes thank you for that trip down memory lane, Marcel. Onto business."
I kept my mouth shut and ears open as I served other customers. I knew Kieran didn't like letting me in on supernatural happenings. I slowly worked my way back towards the Trios conversation.
"What about your psycho friend?" Sean asked.
"We've seen the paper." Kieran said. "The murders have slowed down. Back to normal."
Marcel wore his usual cheshire grin. "Hey, what'd I tell you? He wanted to announce his return to the city. I knew he'd calm down when he saw how things worked around here. My guy's probably found another way to occupy his time."
"As long as he's not dropping bodies in mass numbers I don't care what he's doing." Kieran said.
Sean was still forceful. "Am I the only one not relaxed yet?" His finger jabbed the table hard. "Klaus Mikaelson isn't exactly the picture of self control. How do we know he wont go off the rails again? Shouldn't we take precautions?"
I froze then quickly continued my work as if nothing happened. Klaus Mikaelson? A part of me was triumphant. I knew he was a vampire! The other part was panicking. Klaus was the murderer terrorizing the city. It couldn't get any worse.
"What do you want to do, Sean?" Marcels voice was condescending. "There's little we can do and we don't even have to. He's been behaving." Marcel continued.
"For how long?" Sean pressed.
I didn't need to hear any more. I untied my apron.
"Your shift over, kiddo?" Kieran called.
"Yeah!" I fought to keep my voice normal as I grabbed my things. "I get off early today." I quickly hugged him and left.
My worst fears came true. My soul mate was a vampire. We had plans to go to the opera tonight. Klaus was supposed to pick me up at my apartment in three hours.
Fuck.
