„What do you think is happening right now, will she be ok?" – Sophie was pacing nervously, crushing her fingers, she couldn't lose another person, she just couldn't.
"She will be fine, she is tougher than she looks and Niklaus would never do anything to hurt her."– Elijah spoke calmly trying to reassure Sophie that everything will be fine, but he was worried a bit himself, he didn't know how his brother would react. Niklaus loved his siblings yet again had no problem daggering them.
"How can you be so sure? I know him for only a few days and to me he looks like a deranged lunatic that would rip your heart out for just looking at him funny, an knowing Victoria she won't be able to not set him off. She might be strong but he is an original hybrid."
"Because my brother had a soft spot for Victoria since the time she was a human. He won't hurt her."
The room was silent but the tension was palpable now.
"I can't sit around here anymore; I have to make sure that she is fine." – Sophie's voice broke the silence. She grabbed her keys and slammed the door behind her.
Silence settled around them again, the tension still lingering in the air as Elijah and Haley couldn't help but get a bit worried themselves.
In order to break the unbearable tension and satisfy the curiosity in her she asked "How did you meet Victoria anyway?"
A faint smile spread on Elijah's face as he remembered back to meeting the young vampire his brother brought in that night.
Victoria slowly picked up the rather larger stone from the ground; she turned it once in her hand before putting it in the pocket of her apron. She kneeled again to pick up another stone smaller than the first one but somehow heavier, she tossed it slightly and caught it swiftly again putting the stone into her already heavy apron pocket. It was enough stones to keep her under water she thought, as she slowly walked towards the lake. The water was cold and chilling but she was determined. She uttered a silent prayer to God begging for forgiveness. The water was now up to her waist and she figured she will walk to the part of the lake where she can't reach the bottom anymore and the stones will do the rest. She was in a trance like state now, that she didn't even hear the man calling her until two strong hands pulled her out of the water. She abruptly turned her head; afraid her father found her and is pulling her out. As she turned her head she met a pair of green eyes looking at her worriedly.
"Are you alright?" –he asked.
"What do you think you're doing?" – She yelled at him, struggling out of his embrace.
He looked at her with a confused look, then his eyes widened when he got it "You were trying to kill yourself, weren't you?"
"It's none of your business." - She sad turning around and walking towards the middle of the lake again. She felt his hands grabbing her again, she struggled out of his hold but he was too strong for her.
He carried her out of the water and put her down on the grass shore.
"You won't let me kill myself, are you?" – She asked already knowing his answer.
"Why would you want to kill yourself?" – He was intrigued now, he did thought of it himself once.
"I don't see why it would concern you?" – She answered him, but when she saw that he was actually concerned she figured why not, she didn't really have anyone to talk to, and he is the first person to actually care.
"My mother died giving birth to me and my father always saw me as the reason for her death. He made sure that I never forget it. I always hoped that one day I'll escape my hell by marrying someone, but my father made sure that I don't."
Tears started rolling down her cheeks until they fell on the yellow material of her dress vanishing, leaving behind a wet spot. Her hands were shaking now and he felt an instinct to protect her. He knew what it was like to be tormented by a person that was supposed to protect you.
She was sobbing now and she hated it, this wasn't her, she wasn't weak, but something about this stranger made her open up, maybe it was just the fact that emotions were bottled up inside of her for so long that when she finally found someone who'd listen it just started coming out, and now it won't stop. She can't stop herself from crying, she slowly feels the warmth around her as she lets the stranger hold her. They sat there until her sobs died down and she fell asleep. She was shifting in his arms, crinkling her brow so he decided to give her a dream, to ease her mind a little.
Klaus looked down at the girl in his arms, now that he had a better look, he could see that she was an exquisite beauty. Her brown locks were framing her face now red from crying but somehow making her look even more beautiful; he wished he had his canvas here so he could paint her. She was tougher than she looked, but there in his arms she looked so vulnerable and he couldn't explain it but there was something about this girl that drew him in.
Victoria slowly opened her eyes, it was almost noon now. She felt someone behind her shift helping her prop herself up, she remembered again were she was and who she was with. She turned her head to face the stranger, and her eyes met his, a faint smile spreading across his lips.
"You feel better now, love?" – He asked.
"Mhm, yes." - She mumbled. He made her feel calm but she wasn't fine, she was too smart to kid herself; she would need a miracle for her life to improve, and even though he was kind, she knew there were rules and he couldn't save her. She tried to savor the moment; she looked at him one more time as if he is going to disappear. She tried to speak but her throat felt so dry she could hardly let out a sound now. He handed her a glass with a red liquid she assumed was wine.
"Sorry I had nothing else but wine with me, but that should help you with your dry throat." – He smiled, and she noticed his dimples, which sent electrifying impulses down her spine.
She reached for the glass brining it to her lips and taking a large sip; the wine tasted sweet and she felt that with every sip she was regaining strength, she noticed him looking at her, and she couldn't help but smile back at him, her eyes now stopping at his lips wondering what they taste like, when suddenly his lips were grazing hers, it was like he could read her mind. Once she felt the sweet taste of his lips she wanted more, and he knew it. His lips pressed harder against hers. He slowly moved down sucking on her neck as her fingers tangled through his blond locks drawing him in closer. His hands were now under her dress, grazing her thighs as they lowered to the ground feeling the soft grass beneath them.
Her skin felt soft under his hands, as he trailed kisses along her neck down to her collarbone, all he wanted was to sink his teeth into her fair skin. As he moved away to take off her overdress he noticed the bruises on her thighs, upper arms and back, he suddenly felt a spurt of rage, how could anyone hurt an angel like her, he felt an urge to mark her, to make her his. He felt her whimper as he moved his hands over her bare thighs moving in to settle between them. She trembled under his touch and it made him harder, he thrust making her clasp to him even tighter drawing him in burying her face in the crook of his neck. She was arching her back as a moan escaped her, she felt ecstatic as she came and he let out a silent growl coming himself.
She couldn't believe the feeling; it was unlike anything she felt before – she thought as she looked at the stranger lying beside her. He was sleeping now looking peaceful with his arm folded under his head, and his marvelous body unclothed, he looked like a perfect statue carved out of marble stone. She smiled to herself as her hand swept across his chest. The moment was perfect, it felt like they were the only two people on the planet and they had all this nature just for themselves, she wished she could stop time so they could remain this happy forever but she knew she couldn't reality would catch up with them soon enough. She planted a light kiss on his lips before she slowly got up and put her dress on. She picked up the apron lying on the ground and started collecting the scattered stones that fell out of the pockets, placing them back. She stepped into the lake again, the water felt colder than before but she was determined, she walked towards the center of the lake. She kept walking until her feet couldn't reach the floor anymore, the stones were pulling her down as the instinct to survive was forcing her to fight the currents and reach the surface, but the stones were too heavy and she let them pull her down. She thought that the drowning would go faster, but she was holding her breath against her will, it was like her brain was telling her that she was making a mistake, giving her time to change her mind, loose the apron and swim to the surface, catching the much-needed air her lungs were so desperately craving for. But the thoughts were soon replaced by a piercing headache, she could swear her head was going to explode, and she finally opened her mouth. The water was entering her mouth, chocking her as she fought it, and suddenly everything around her turned black.
Her eyes shot open when a piercing surge of pain went through her lungs, she starred in bewilderment around her, trying to figure out what happened, where she was, she died, she could swear she died.
"Easy love." – A calm voice spoke, as a hand was helping her prop up. He was giving her another cup to take a sip from. Again the liquid inside the cup was red, but the smell was different, more overwhelming and she couldn't hold herself back from emptying the cup in one gulp. The liquid felt so good against the inside walls of her mouth and throat and she immediately felt the pain in her chest disappear.
She recognized the voice and her head instantly turned to the stranger. "You?, But I… I died. How… how am I alive? For a second she thought that she was in heaven, maybe I died the first time, and I was dead the entire time.
"You're technically not alive." – He let out a chuckle.
"I know, because I died, I felt it, I felt death. Is this heaven, are you an angel, I knew you were to perfect to be a human."
He let out another chuckle, louder than the previous one. "No, sweetheart you're not in heaven and I am far from an angel."
He observed her eyes widening as his face morphed into his vampire form, the veins under his eyes getting darker more distinct as his fangs grew, too large for his mouth to contain them.
She hissed as she flung herself backwards, her back tight against the tree, which started cracking from the force she inflicted upon it. "You…you're a demon." – Her voice was shaky, as she watched his face slowly returning to his usual angelic form.
"I need you to calm down, alright, before you break that tree in half." – He said moving towards her, with his hand stretched towards her, his open palm facing upwards, inviting her to take his hand.
She turned around and saw the tree almost broken in half, she looked at her hands, which were shaking now, did she do that. She looked at him again, fear in her eyes, she didn't know what was happening to her.
He slowly grabbed her by the arm, forcing her to look at him. "Love I need you to calm down, alright?" – He spoke softly to her, trying to calm her down.
She ran towards the lake, trying to take a look at herself in the lake's surface, despite the fact that it was pitch dark around her she could clearly distinguish her face. Dark veins were pulsating under her eyes and her fangs were peeking from her mouth. She gasped at the image before her, taking a step back. "You" – She screamed at him. "You did this to me."
"I saved your life, it's a gift. You are stronger now, faster, you will live forever, stay young forever."
"Why would I want to live forever? Why would I want to continue my hell on this earth a minute longer?" – She was angry, tears streaming down her face.
"No one will ever be able to hurt you again, you are stronger now. No one will be able to touch you now." – He spoke, his voice echoing through the meadow, trying to make her listen, consider what he gave her.
She looked at him now, she stopped shaking, and just stood there contemplating what he just told her. He … he won't be able to hurt her anymore. - A smile spread across her face as she realized her newfound position.
"I want you to come with me, you can live with me and my family, they are like us and I can teach you everything you need to know about being a vampire."
Vampire was that what he was, what she was – she thought for herself. She remembered old tales she overheard as a kid about demons sucking the blood of humans, yet she never thought that it could be true much less that she would be one.
"What?" – She looked at him. "But you can't take me with you, there are rules and…" – she was cut off by his laughter.
"We are vampires we have no rules." – He gave her a devilish grin and offered his hand once again, this time she took it.
"What will your family think, won't they mind." – She tried to look at him as they made their way through the woods, the moon lighting them the way, everything looked so much clearer to her, she felt stronger, just like he said she would, everything was so heightened.
"Don't worry about them, they won't mind. I am pretty sure Rebekah will be thrilled to get a new friend." – He spoke with amusement in his voice.
"Wait!" – She said stopping in her tracks.
"What? What is it? Are you alright?" – He looked at her trying to figure out what made her stop.
"I have to go to my house first." – She said quickly.
"It's alright love, I am pretty sure you can borrow Rebekah's dresses to wear."
"No, I have to get my locket, I left it behind. I need it." – She was determined. He gave in, sensing that it meant a lot her.
"Ok fine, we will get your locket and then we should go for a hunt, the blood I gave you won't be enough."
She felt uneasy approaching her house. Her father was probably inside sleeping, if she is quiet enough she can get in, get her locket and leave without having to deal with him. – She thought to herself.
"You ok, love?" – He asked her, his hand resting protectively on her lower back.
"Yes." – She said with a shaky voice.
She slowly opened the door leading to the kitchen letting him in and closing the door quietly behind them. He went for the stairs leading upstairs, assuming her locket is in her room, but she gently pulled him by the arm, pointing to the stone stairs leading to the basement. He crinkled his brow in confusion; he assumed it was in her room why would she lead him to the basement. They entered the basement, it was pitch dark but thanks to their vampire senses they were able to see without having to light a candle. He stopped immediately when he saw the mattress on the floor, a folded sheet and a small pillow lying on top.
"Do you sleep here?" – He sounded horrified, the basement was dark and damp, there were no windows, and it was a few degrees colder than upstairs.
"Yes." - She answered swiftly as she picked up her pillow, revealing the silver locket hidden under it.
"I got it we can go now. We should leave quickly before he wakes." – She said, hurrying towards the stairs and he followed her out. He passed through the kitchen door first, as she was about to leave someone grabbed her by the arm. She turned to see her fathers enraged face, suddenly she felt a heavy hand slap her across the face. She let out a scream, more from the shock than from the fact that it hurt. He was still grabbing her hand as she tried to break free, suddenly she felt a rage building up and she pushed him away, he stumbled backwards tripping and hitting his head on the wooden table. The smell of blood filled her nostrils, and she felt her fangs coming out as the veins under her eyes started to pulsate violently. She crouched eyeing her father's shocked face as he looked at the monster in front of him. She felt a hand on her upper arm holding her back.
"Victoria lets go before you do something you will regret." – He wanted to persuade her to leave. He knew the feeling after killing your parent; the memory of ripping his mother's heart out still hurt as much as the day it happened.
She broke free from his hold, giving him a look before leaping towards her father. She sank her teeth in his neck, feeling the sharp teeth tearing through the skin of his neck, tearing through the flesh finding the artery, piercing it until blood filled her mouth, it felt so good she couldn't stop herself. She pushed away Nik's hand once again, sucking on the artery until the blood stopped flowing; she stopped to look at her father's face, it was white and lifeless, his eyes open, frozen in a shocked stare. She let the body fall to the ground as she stood up.
"Are you alright, love? How do you feel?" – He asked her worriedly, placing his hand on her shoulders, looking into her eyes, trying to read her emotions.
"I have never felt better!" – She said excitement in her voice flashing him a smile. "Let's get some more." – She said grabbing him by the hands.
He smiled at her, "Let's go home, I think you had enough for one night, we can hunt tomorrow. Let me just take care of something first." He flipped the lit candle and soon the table was on fire spreading to the corpse on the floor. He looked at her searching for a glimpse of remorse or sadness on her face, but she just turned around and left, he followed her closely. She turned around once more to take a last look at her childhood home being swallowed by the now raging fire, she felt sad for a moment but also liberated, she was finally free.
He gave a handkerchief to wipe the blood from the corners of her mouth, and cupped her face gently, planting a kiss on her lips, which she returned smiling at him. "Thank you." – She whispered.
"So what you're not mad anymore?" – He raised an eyebrow.
"I have never felt like this, strong, fearless, free. You gave me a gift, you saved me and for that I am thankful."
He smiled at her. "We should really get going before the sun comes up and it fries you to death." – He said jokingly.
"Ah, does what?"
"Vampires can't go out into the sunlight."
"But you can?" – She was confused.
"I have a ring, see." – He showed her his lapis lazuli ring by raising his right hand. "A witch put a spell on it to protect us from the sun."
"Oh, so I will never be able to go out during the day?" – She said with sadness in her voice.
"Don't worry about it love."
"Here we are." – He announced as they arrived in front of a grand gray castle, the walls covered with high reaching ivory. She stood there taking in the view in front of her; large windows taking most of the wall's space giving of a luminous yellow light revealing the life going on inside.
"Come on." – He said as he pulled her by the hand, leading her towards the massive front door, made out of dark brown oak, the doors looked heavy and they made a screeching sound as he pushed them open.
The doors revealed the inside of the house, high ceiling holding a massive chandelier which illuminated the entire room, on both sides two grand staircases leading to the second floor, where she assumed their chambers were. On each side were two doorways leading to two big rooms, she could only catch a glimpse of from where she was standing. She stood there for a minute taking everything in; she could hardly believe that she was really here.
All of a sudden a blonde woman entered the room.
"Nik, where have you been all day, oh who is this?" - Rebekah stopped when she saw the woman holding her brother's hand.
"This is Victoria." – He spoke to the blonde woman.
"Victoria, this is my sister Rebekah." – He turned to look at her, giving her an encouraging smile. This is when she realized that she was standing a step behind him.
"Oh, hello." - The woman spoke now, pulling Victoria into a hug. "Welcome to our home."
"She will need new clothes I trust you will take care of that." – He spoke to the blonde haired girl now.
"Don't worry about it." – She told him. "You look like you could fit into my dresses for now, until they make you your own." – She gave Victoria a bright smile.
He made his way to the right into a great room; she assumed was their gathering room. A grand fireplace was keeping the place warm, candles lighting up the room. In the center stood massive armchairs on each side a small table, with flowers on them. The burgundy walls were covered with paintings in massive golden frames. She noticed two men in the room. The older one was sitting in the armchair closest to the fireplace, reading something, the younger man stood next to the fireplace sipping on his drink. Both men looked towards the doorway the minute they entered the room.
"Brother, where have you been so long, our sister got worried for you." – The older of the two men spoke smiling at them. "I see you brought company." – He said when his eyes fell on Victoria.
"Well, well brother who is the lovely young lady in your company." – He spoke with a cheeky grin, eyeing Victoria from across the room. In seconds he stood in front of her, kissing her hand. "My name is Kol, and yours."
She felt uncomfortable by the young man and before she could answer him, the blonde girl cut in.
"Her name is Victoria, and I am pretty sure you are making her uncomfortable." – She spoke grabbing Victoria's hand and dragging her across the room to one of the armchairs.
Klaus let out a chuckle at the remark, and patted his little brother on the shoulder, as he stood there slightly bent one arm stretched out holding an invisible hand. "Leave her alone Kol."
"I was just introducing myself nicely." – He straightened himself up giving his brother a wink.
"I mean it Kol." – Klaus' words were sterner now and it seemed his brother understood.
"I apologize if my brother made you uncomfortable, my name is Elijah and welcome to our home."
"Victoria, pleasure to meet you." – She said lowering her eyes, she was used to talking casually to Nik, that she almost forgot how to behave in the presence of nobleman, which they most certainly were.
Oh my God! Victoria thought to herself, I just snapped an Original's neck and the most vindictive one on top of that, but she was angry at him, what was he thinking trying to compel her. She picked him up by the shoulders and started dragging his body into the alley behind the bar. God he is heavier than he looks. - She thought to herself as she dragged his body over the concrete to the empty alley behind the bar and covered him with some nearby cartons. She looked around her to check that no one has witnessed her little stunt. When she made sure no one was watching, she walked out of the alley and towards her car.
"Hey, anybody home" – Victoria spoke as she walked into the house carrying shopping bags in both hands, as a man walked behind her carrying a lot more bags.
She entered the living room to find Elijah in the armchair reading as Haley sat on the sofa flipping through the channels on the TV.
"Hey I come bearing gifts. I was stressed, and whenever I am stressed I go shopping, so I was walking down the street when I saw this boutique selling maternity clothes, and I saw this dress which was perfect for you , so I went in, and then I saw all the stuff they had in there. Dresses, blouses, pants for different months of pregnancy and I couldn't stop myself." "Oh my god, I am sorry." – She spoke as she saw Haley's surprised face. "You probably wanted to buy this stuff yourself, but I saw you didn't bring much stuff with you and I assumed you probably didn't have these clothes yet so I bought them. I can return them again."
"No it's ok, I am not a shopping person anyway, but this is too much I cannot take this." – Haley looked at the pile of clothes in front of her.
"What? Yes you can, don't worry about it." – She smiled at her Haley.
"So Victoria what happened with Niklaus, did you talk to him." – Elijah interrupted the two women speaking.
"Yes we talked, he showed me what an arrogant ass he is so I snapped his neck and left." – She spoke fast hopping Elijah wouldn't catch a word she said.
"What?" – Elijah spoke with an alarmed voice. "You did what?"
"I snapped his neck, ok. You should have warned me about him, he is intolerable. I tried talking to him but he was so smug and full of himself I couldn't take it anymore and when he tried to compel me I snapped his neck, and I'm not sorry, he is like that because you all let him behave like that."
"He is going to kill you, you know that." – Elijah was worried.
"He won't and he can't enter the house anyway, so I will be fine for a few days until he calms down. Where is Sophie?" – She asked as she didn't see her and couldn't hear another heartbeat in the house.
"She went to look for you." – Haley said.
"Oh, I should call her and tell her that I'm fine." – She took the phone out of her purse dialing Sophie's number when the doorbell rang.
His neck hurt as he moved his head slowly. He opened his eyes and slowly propped himself up two cartons sliding of his body. Everything around smelled of urine and rotten food. He now remembered where he was and what happened. She snapped my neck. - He felt the blood in his veins boiling with rage as he remembered how he ended up here. He stood up quickly and made his way towards the street. She was probably at her house now. – He thought for himself. The house that he can't enter. – He was furious now, trying to come up with a way to lure her out of the house. Suddenly he stopped as he saw the younger Deveraux witch walking out of the bar. He quickly grabbed her covering her mouth as she tried to break out of his hold.
In matter of minutes he was in front of Victoria's house. He ringed the doorbell, still holding Sophie.
The doorbell rang echoing through the house. She sped to the door swinging it open. Nik stood in front of her holding a frightened Sophie.
"Hello Vicky." – He grinned at her. "How about you invite me in."
"Let her go!" – She spoke to him.
"You invite me in, or she becomes one of us." – He said moving Sophie's hair to expose her neck, fangs coming out of his mouth.
"Brother, let her go." – Elijah and Haley were standing now behind Victoria.
He just looked at them before looking at Victoria again. He moved his head closer to Sophie's neck, his teeth grazing her neck.
"Fine, come in." – She screamed out.
He pushed Sophie away, grabbing Victoria by the throat pushing her across the room pinning her to the wall.
Sophie stumbled from the push, but Elijah quickly caught her from tripping, helping her regain balance. He ordered her and Haley to go upstairs. She tried to argue with him but he lifted his hand silencing her, giving her a reassuring look. She reluctantly went upstairs followed by Haley.
Victoria was hissing trying to free herself from Klaus' hold, but he was too strong.
"Brother let her go; you don't want to hurt her."
"Elijah stay out of this, she snapped my neck and left me lying there on the street."
"You tried to compel me and I didn't leave you lying there on the street I left you in the alley behind the bar." – She pushed the words out.
He tightened his grip, and she was fighting for air now. "You are not in the position to be sarcastic love."
"Don't call me that." – She managed to spit out.
He had this evil look in his eyes as he smiled revealing his fangs. He quickly buried them in her neck.
His teeth ripped through her skin as she started feeling lightheaded, the memory of them blood sharing centuries ago shot through her head, when suddenly he released her from his grip. She quickly regained her balanced and looked at him. He was grinning at her smugly.
"Wow you bit me, what are you five, I am a vampire I heal see…" – She grabbed her neck were he had sunk his teeth just minutes ago. The wound hadn't healed, it was still fresh, the place around it still bloody. She suddenly felt feverish and weak. She sped towards the closest mirror inspecting the wound on her neck. It wasn't healing, it looked infected, and that's when it dawned on her - werewolf bite, he was part werewolf.
"You poisoned me!" – She spoke in shock, her worst fears were confirmed when she met Elijah's worried look.
"Of course you won't just let me die easily; you'll make me die in agony." – She could barely look at him now, she was going to die, and she was the only one to blame - Why did she have to taunt an Original vampire. Sophie! She will be all alone now, she failed her again.
"There is a cure." – Klaus spoke now looking at her amused.
"There's a cure?" – She looked at Elijah with hope in her eyes, looking for confirmation.
He didn't look that reassuring. "There is, but…"
"But what, I'll do anything."
"I am the cure." – Klaus spoke, a satisfied grin spreading across his face as he looked at Victoria. "My blood is the cure, and all you need to do is apologize to me."
She narrowed her eyes, anger in her eyes. "Apologize to you? First of all there is nothing I would have to apologize for and second of all I will rather die than kiss your feet!" – She spoke with spite and anger in her voice; she would rather die than give him this satisfaction.
"I will be in my room; I wish not to be disturbed." – She spoke, as she felt weaker, the venom spreading through her body. She slowly walked up the stairs, her legs barely holding her, and towards her room. She lay on the bed and closed her eyes.