Thanks to my guest reviewers and I just want to repeat it again: Vampire's cannot procreate, non of them, so no, there will be no baby!;)
Enjoy this chapter=)
Family Tree - Mathew West
A hand reached unconsciously over the sheets when consciousness called her back out of a silent sleep. Caroline turned her head sleepily and without opening her eyes she searched the empty space next to her for that warm body that was always lying next to her. She always searched in her sleep unconsciously for his arms, his comfort and his protection.
She jerked up and opened her eyes looking around: "Niklaus?"
But only silence and emptiness greeted her. Her dead heart stuttered to life and started racing out of no obvious reason. He wasn't next to her and he wasn't in their room. Where was he?
Caroline tried to calm down from the sudden shock and somehow she had the feeling as if he was close. There was no explanation, but she just felt that he was fine and probably somewhere inside the house.
She threw the covers back and put her naked feet carefully onto the ground. Covering herself with a thin cardigan over her pyjamas she tiptoed over to the door and looked into the dark hallway.
Everything was quiet, but Caroline had a hunch of where she might find him. Her naked feet on the floor made no sound when she sneaked down the dark corridor.
There under the door of the studio was a fine line of light which made Caroline draw a relieved breath. She shook her head at herself. Silly girl, she had never wanted to be this dependent, but to him she was, especially since the mating bond seemed to tie them together. Two life lines unconditionally and irrepealably interwoven with each other.
Carefully she pushed the door open with her hand. "Niklaus?" She whispered and peeked through the small opening.
He looked at her from behind a tall easel and smiled when he saw her. "Why aren't you sleeping my love?"
She closed the door quietly behind her. "You weren't there." She shrugged and wanted to step closer, but Klaus held up his hand with the brush in it.
"No, stay where you are, I am not quite done yet."
She grinned. "Oh come on!" But she didn't move when Klaus shook his head.
"Have you been painting all night?" She asked and sat down on a chair near the wall. She pulled her legs up making herself comfortable while she watched Klaus starting on his work again.
"Almost."
"Why?"
He smiled, but didn't look up from the canvas. "I had the sudden urge to finish this, because I really want you to see it."
Caroline's stomach fluttered and she pulled the cardigan tighter around herself. The light was dim, because there were only two floor lamps burning, one next to the easel and one next to Caroline's chair. It was rather unusual, because Klaus loved good light when he was painting. She studied his highly concentrated face and couldn't stop noticing how peaceful and relaxed he seemed to be. Klaus could let go while painting, it was his fashion of forgetting the world around him. It brought him peace whenever he needed it and the soothing knowledge that a beautiful piece of art would remain left him satisfied.
Caroline blinked sleepily and she lost her sense of time. It could have been merely minutes or even hours when Klaus put his brush down into a glass of water. He took a step back and crossed his arms over his chest, one hand resting on his chin, while he studied the canvas in front of him.
Caroline slowly tilted her head to look at him curiously. Klaus nodded unconsciously.
"I'm done." He said in a low voice and goose bumps ran over Caroline's arms. She rose from the chair when Klaus walked towards her. He took her hand and whispered. "Close your eyes."
Caroline grinned amused but did as he told her. She felt his lips on her forehead in the next moment before he pulled her along with him. Letting him pull her along she felt her deep trust for him in every cell of her body and so she followed him without blinking.
He placed her in front of the canvas before he wrapped his arms around her from behind. His chin rested on her shoulder and his stubble caressed her cheek.
"Open your eyes, Caroline." He whispered right next to her ear, his tongue lingering on the last syllable. Shivers ran down her spine and then she opened her eyes.
Caroline held her breath and her jaw dropped.
Klaus's eyes followed her every reaction and it intrigued him to see her speechless. She wanted to stretch out her hand to touch the lively creature on the canvas, but she didn't dare to. It was as if she was looking right into a dream. Klaus gave her time to look at the picture and take every detail of it in.
Caroline looked at her herself, a much more beautiful version of her that was.
The woman on the canvas looked over her naked shoulder that was only half covered with a transparent white fabric that seemed to lightly float down from her shoulder. Her eyes looked down and were covered by large black eyelashes. The blond curls fell weightless down her back. The skin seemed to glow, illuminating the foreground against the dark background. A pink tulip was tugged behind her ear, the bright colour building a strong contrast to the rest, but it didn't drew all the focus on it. The focus was certainly on the face.
"What do you think?" He asked and kissed her temple.
"It is so beautiful." Caroline whispered overwhelmed and Klaus tightened his grip on her. Caroline leaned back against his chest and ran a hand up and down his arm. He smiled against her cheek while he pressed his soft lips against it. She turned around inside of his arms and wrapped her own arms around his neck. Klaus' hands caressed her sides before he pulled her closer. She smiled and he closed the distance between their lips. Her eyes closed and she felt the soft sign of love and passion embraced her whole body. When his tongue ran over her plump lip she granted him entrance and sighed heavenly. The small sound got to Klaus and his stomach clenched when a shiver raced down his spine. The kiss deepened and drew lovely sounds from both of their mouths. Their bodies tingled while their tongues battled each other.
They looked deeply into each other's eyes smiling. Caroline played with his short hair running her fingers softly over his scalp. Klaus put his hands onto her ass smirking.
"However, I believe that you romanticised your model a bit too much."
"On the contrary, my love, this is exactly how I see you, but you are right a simple painting cannot do you justice." Caroline swallowed and felt her temperature change from cold to hot and back again. "Do not believe I haven't noticed the struggle you are going through." He referred to the Camille business so Caroline dropped her head onto his chest. He chuckled. "You have been quite nasty."
"I am trying." She spoke against his chest.
"I know and you don't have to apologize to me."
"Did I ruin it?"
He shook his head and started to play with her hair. "No. I don't think that she knows anything anyway." She rubbed her cheek against him and his hand ran over her back a chill following his touch. He kissed her hair.
Hayley took the last bite of her breakfast. It felt good to eat some proper food. They hadn't eaten much on their journey from the north to the south of America. She licked the spoon and smiled satisfied. The tall wolf with the sandy hair, Reese, came to sit down next to her.
"You look better." He stated simply. "Haven't eaten much lately, have you?"
She shook her head no. "Food was not our preoccupation." She told him and wrapped her arms around her knees. The trees around here were higher than the ones in Montana she noticed. High up above in the treetops were birds singing their songs. She tried to see them, but they were too high up, too close to the sky.
Leaves shuffled between boots and Tyler and the alpha wolf, Cortez, reached them and sat down as well.
"So, Hayley, you are looking for your roots." Cortez said and left the question hanging openly in the air. The young wolf girl nodded. "Yes."
"There was another pack on the other side of New Orleans, close to the bayou."
"Was?" She asked and frowned.
Cortez nodded. "It was an ancient pack with a long history. They were very proud and arrogant." He squinted at her, because he was sure that he had seen traces of those he had described in her. The big eyes and the arrogant pout of her full lips for example. Cortez stood up and started pacing. "Some rumours say that they are descendant from the loup garou, the original werewolves, if something like that exists."
Tyler frowned at him and wanted to ask a question, but Cortez held up his hand to silence him. Tyler gnawed his teeth and the alpha noticed it out of the corners of his eyes. This young…wolf…was too arrogant to be here. He was an alpha animal himself and wouldn't be easy to handle. Cortez knew that he had to be careful with him around. He would give him the courtesy he gave every guest, but he would make sure that the young warrior wouldn't overstay his invitation. There was only so much he was willing to offer and his own pack was not such a thing.
"To our knowledge we have always been there, have always existed. We are older than vampires and maybe older than witches. We are bound to nature, because we are a part of it even though or maybe especially because we are two creatures in one. Wolf and human, both are natural creatures. Witches only have a contract with nature which they willingly serve in order to keep the balance and with it their own powers, but their magic is supernatural, not natural." The leaves shuffled under his feet. "Vampires were created by a witch who broke the contract. She suffered the consequences, because a vampire is nothing but unnatural. They aren't bound by nature, nor do they serve nature."
He looked pointedly at Tyler who stared fearlessly back and Cortez straightened his back to keep him in his place. "There is more to you than you are saying." He stated and looked from Hayley to Tyler and back again. "Why are you really here?"
Tyler stood up and Reese rose as well balling his hands into fists. He would fight for his alpha and his pack if need should arise. Tyler looked at him surprised and noticed that the other pack members were gathered around them hidden behind the trees, but ready to pounce. Hayley noticed it as well and got slowly up to her feet looking uneasily around.
Cortez raised his hand to motion for his pack to stay back. He clasped his hands behind his back. His raven black hair was shaggy and the wind rushed through it now. Hayley noticed just now the cold air around him. He seemed to be friendly, but he was as much a leader as anyone she had met before.
"What are you?" He asked and stepped closer to Tyler, so close that everyone would have stepped back, but Tyler simply straightened. Cortez squinted. "I have given you a place to rest for the night out of hospitality, but you are no true werewolf are you?"
"No." Tyler answered. His eyes flashed around considering every wolf around him. "I am a hybrid."
Whispers and murmurs came out of the forest. Cortez tilted his head. "I have heard the stories about the original hybrid." His tone was wary.
"Well, then I am sure you know that he is back in town." Tyler said in his characteristic steady voice. "And I have unfinished business with him." He said with a scowl but suddenly Hayley pushed herself between the two male and interjected. "Uh, no way, Ty! I told you that I don't want to have anything to do with Klaus!" She turned to Cortez. "Listen, I really just want to find my family!"
Cortez looked at her and nodded showing her that he believed her, but when his eyes went back to Tyler his face hardened again. "Vampires rule the city nowadays there is no place for us and I won't tolerate anyone putting my pack in danger. You may stay for another day, but take your personal vengeance elsewhere. As for you wolf girl, you may stay if you like. The pack you are looking for started a fight with the witches in this town, some might still be there, but I wouldn't bet on it." His voice was calm, but his stares at Tyler were full of warning signs.
Tyler looked at Cortez' retreating figure when he disappeared between the tall trees of the forest. His glance wandered to his arm when Hayley grabbed it.
"Ty, please, just let it go! Go to Cortez and ask him to stay. Leave Klaus alone! Help me find my family." Her big eyes begged him to reconsider his plan, but Tyler just stared coldly back at her. He yanked his arm away. "I can't Hayley! It is all I can think about! Listen I will help you find your family, but you can't keep me from giving Klaus what he deserves…and Caroline." There were angry lines on his forehead when he mentioned her name and Hayley bit her lip. She didn't like that someone else had such a strong hold over Tyler, especially because she knew that she would never be that one. She felt her own hatred building up inside of her for that blond superficial homecoming queen bitch. Looking back she didn't understand why Tyler and Klaus liked her so much. "That bitch doesn't deserve half of the attention you are still giving her! What about me Ty? Stay for me!" She clasped his arm again and her big eyes pleaded. "Let them go for me!"
Tyler tensed his jaw and hesitated for a second, before he yanked his arm away again shaking his head. "Sorry Hayley, but I can't."
He turned around to leave and Hayley contorted her mouth to keep it from quivering. Angry tears formed in her eyes and she kicked the dirt in front of her.
"You sure you want to hang it up in here?" Caroline asked frowning. She had one arm over her stomach supporting the other that held her chin.
"Why not?" Elijah asked stepping next to her. "It is a beautiful piece of art."
Caroline looked at him somehow torn. "I know it is, but…that's me." She said waving her hand."And…it doesn't look like me at all."
"Sweetheart I told you before that is absolutely ridiculous!" Klaus said who was standing on a chair adjusting the picture to the wall.
Elijah nodded. "Truth be told Caroline you don't give Niklaus enough credit for capturing yourself on canvas."
"Oh, that's not what I meant." Caroline said almost stomping her foot. Elijah and Klaus chuckled because they were well aware of the fact that Caroline had another intention than insulting Klaus' artwork. It was rather due to her insecurity than anything else.
"A bit more to the right, brother." Elijah said while staring at the painting. Klaus moved the painting to the right to make sure that it wasn't crooked. Elijah nodded but Caroline wasn't yet sure if she liked hanging on a wall for everyone to see.
The door bell rang and Klaus jumped off the chair.
"I wonder who that could be." Elijah said and Klaus smirked.
"I have a hunch." He walked swiftly over to the door to open it.
"Marcel! What a nice surprise." He said and Caroline and Elijah looked at each other, lips pulled into a thin line. "Come on in, mate. Can I offer you a drink?" Klaus asked cheerily.
"I won't stay long." Marcel declined his offer walking into the living room where Caroline and Elijah were still standing and waiting for what was about to happen next. Marcel just looked at them without any greeting. Klaus appeared behind him and leaned against the door frame.
"What can I do for you mate?"
Marcel's eyes had caught sight of the painting on the wall. An angry frown appeared on his forehead and he screwed up his face. His look landed on Caroline who looked a bit taken aback and Elijah stepped unconsciously closer, but Marcel spun quickly around to Klaus who didn't show the least bit of irritation at his dark look. The usual smirk was glued to his full raspberry lips.
Marcel came menacingly closer. "Stay away from Camille!" He snarled.
"Ah!" Klaus put his fingers together and in front of his lips grinning. "Now I know what this is about." "She has nothing to do with whatever there is between us!"
"Oh, I know." Klaus said walking over to the liquor cabinet and pouring himself a glass. "I tried to avoid her, but she seems to be drawn to my dashing looks." He turned around looking full of sarcasm while he sipped his Bourbon. Caroline rolled her eyes at Elijah who pursed his lips, but Klaus achieved what he wanted to achieve. Marcel was fuming.
"I told you to tolerate you if you abide to my rules."
"Oh, and I did." Klaus said cockily putting the glass on a table. "Didn't I? I was told not to kill anyone."
Marcel moved closer to him to show him that he wasn't afraid of Klaus. His head tilted slightly and he looked up at him out of raging dark eyes when he warned in a low voice. "Stay away from Camille Klaus!"
"Or what!? Mate?"
"You will regret it believe me!" Marcel's eyes flashed over to the painting up above on the wall and even though it was just the briefest of moments it made Klaus gnaw his teeth in anger. He flashed in front of Marcel's face and wrapped his hand around his throat. "Don't you dare to threaten me! One bite and you are dead." Marcel choked on the tight grip and found himself losing the ground beneath his feet.
"What do you want?" He choked out but the words were barely making any sounds.
"No one has the right to take what is mine." Klaus threw him onto the floor where he landed with a loud banging sound making Caroline jumped a tiny bit backwards. "How do you control the witches?"
Marcel laughed hoarsely while he tried to get up. "I don't make any business with witches."
He was back on his feet and Klaus stood tall in front of him with angry lines around his mouth. "Do not underestimate me, my friend. I built this city and your services have become useless to me. Remember that on your way out!" He hissed intimidating and Marcel had no choice but to back off even though the look on his face screamed of rage.
He held up his head proud when he left the room, moving past Caroline, closer to her than she liked, but Marcel avoided looking at her for another time.
Elijah looked at his retreating figure with raised eyebrows. He watched how his brother's body tensed, his muscles seemed to tremble and he hit the glass on the table. The sound of cracking glass against stone still rang in Caroline's ears long after it had already ceased.
The body lay lifelessly on the ground in the brushwood close to the city boundaries. The skin was grey and from his chest protruded a large wooden stake. Right in the place where the heart was.
Everything was quiet and if someone had found his body he would have thought that a crucial murder had had happen. Someone mad had played Van Helsing and staked another person in the old-fashioned manner out of the handbook: how to kill a vampire. Only some of the inhabitants of New Orleans would have been shocked, most of them would have shaken their heads about it and went on with their life.
The fingers lay dead on the ground and didn't stir when a mouse brushed them, but a low sound suddenly filled the air. It became louder and the moan turned into a groan and finally into a scream.
The mouse quickly escaped when the hand suddenly flew up into the air. With an uncomfortable sound accompanied by screams did the hand pull the wood out of the chest.
Another scream mixed with pain and anger escaped him while his skin colour slowly returned back to normal. He sat slowly up and the veins under his red eyes pulsated violently.
The vampire looked around and tried to orientate himself. "I hate witches!" He grumbled while he got up and cracked his bones loudly before he flashed off towards his home.
"Seriously?" Josh laughed. "Never?"
Davina laughed as well and Josh decided that he liked the sound of it. "Never." She shook her head so wildly that her hair danced around her ears. She looked at him through some strands of hair and laughed again. Josh leaned forward supporting his weight on his arms. Davina was sitting opposite of him on her large bed. The sun shone through the colourful glass window in the attic and illuminated their surroundings with blue, yellow, red and green. My end of the rainbow, Davina had once said to Marcel.
"For how long have you been up here?" He asked and looked at her. Davina leaned a bit away from him and shrugged. "I'm not sure." She answered honestly and played with the hem of her white T-Shirt. "For me, it seems like years, but I am sure that it might not be more than three months."
She stood up and walked over to the window. Her hand stretched out to touch the blue glass, but she pulled it back before it met the cold surface. She shrugged. "Marcel keeps me save."
Josh shook his head. "I am not sure if I understand that. The witches want you dead?"
She nodded, her sad eyes looking at the ground. "They have to complete some stupid ritual in order to save the greater good."
"But, you are a witch." Josh said standing up. "Can't you protect yourself? Cast a spell or something?"
Davina shook her head and walked back inside the room. "I am not that strong, besides, I have hardly any knowledge about magic." She faced her pictures. "Before anyone could teach me properly I was caught up in that stupid ritual. They killed three girls. I would have been the fourth, but Marcel got me out."
She walked over to a candle and lit it with a wave of her hand. She smiled at Joshua's surprised look. "That's basically all I can really do, besides throwing things through the air." Her hair brush was suddenly lifted into the air by invisible strings and it flew from her bedside table to the other side of the room, demonstrating Davina's powers. "And telling when another witch does magic in town."
Josh's eyes were still on the brush that lay now motionlessly on the floor. He had never witnessed magic being practised before and he still tried to fathom what had just happened. He waited for the brush to make a move, but it lay as lifeless on the floor as it had before next to the bed.
Davina's chuckle made him avert his eyes finally. "It's funny to watch you." She said.
"I…" He stuttered, looking for the right words. "I have…just…never seen something like that."
"For how long have you been a vampire?"
He sighed. "About a year now."
Davina stepped closer with a thoughtful look and Josh turned around when he noticed pity in her eyes. "You don't seem to like it much…"
"So, you are telling Marcel when the witches practise magic?" He asked quickly changing the subject. She couldn't help him anyway. She didn't know the spell…
"He saved my life. It's the least I can do. He says that he can protect me better, when he knows what they are up to all the time."
Josh nodded, trying to find out if it made sense what she was telling him. "So, you trust him?"
Davina faced him with a frown on her forehead. "Why shouldn't I?" Suddenly she looked very suspiciously at him and Josh back away remembering the hair brush on the floor.
"No, I just…" He sighed. "I should think before I speak. I am a rather suspicious person, I guess. You are right, why shouldn't you trust him?"
She looked a bit longer at him and Josh grew uncomfortable, but finally she nodded and went over to her easel. She grabbed a pencil and started to sketch.
Josh drew a deep breath. His thoughts wandered to Elijah who wanted him to spy on Marcel and it made him wonder. Why?
He looked at Davina who started humming. She was so young, had no idea about magic, but had somehow managed to get herself into the middle of a war between witches and vampires.
He had liked her from the beginning on and the question that became louder inside of his mind made him flinch and feel as if he had betrayed her.
Why had Marcel saved her from being sacrificed in that ritual? What was it to him?
Saving the greater good?
The door smashed loudly and everyone in the household perked up his head.
Klaus walked out of the study into the hallway to find out what was the means of the commotion. He frowned at his youngest brother who was in full vampire mode looking worn out and pretty pissed.
"What happened to you?" Caroline asked curiously who came out of the other direction.
Kol snarled under his breath and walked without another word into the study. Klaus and Caroline looked at each other questioningly before they followed with Elijah on their heels.
Kol walked over to the liqueur cabinet to pour himself a glass of something. He downed it in one gulp before he turned around.
"I have a message." He said drinking up another glass.
"Where have you been over the last two days Kol?" Elijah asked and Kol grunted.
"The witches want to meet us."
Tyler really didn't end up as my favourite character...sorry guys.
I will upload the next chapter at the weekend.=)
