AN: Written for day 6 of AU Week, Myths & Legends. Hope you like ;)

Summary: Klaus broke his curse and killed Mikael in 15th century. He and his siblings celebrate his 1000th birthday in Florence when Kol decides to give him something quite unusual as a gift. Or rather, someone…


He liked pretty, unusual things.

Klaus was not afraid to admit that. Perhaps it was his deep-buried artistic soul peeking through or simply the fact that eternity stretched for an unthinkably long time - thus, leaving him in need of a hobby.

Many things could be pretty and even more could be unusual - it all depended on the eye of the beholder, after all. No two people viewed beauty and art in the very same way, contrasting notions and opinions painting the world in a prismatic waves of colours that still held the power to leave him in awe. He had nothing but contempt for those vampires who had grown bored with immortal life, unavoidably finding it more and more tedious with the passing years.

Pathetic, barren-minded fools.

The day he had become truly indestructible - his curse broken and his family's life on the run concluded with a swift plunge of his hand into Mikael's chest - was the day he had started to breathe again. The universe was vast and vibrant, his for the taking as he sat on his throne at the top of the food chain, the connoisseur of the world.

Sometimes the colours would become a smidgen washed-down, bland and dull, at least till a brand new palette emerged to hold his interest again, like a goal that nestled in his mind, a top of the mountain that begged to be reached, a dreamland to be conquered.

Well, she certainly could be his new dream.

Eyes set firmly on the creature in front of him, Klaus revelled in the exhilaration that came over him as she met his gaze with unwavering resolve. Trapped in a cage and yet, she looked nothing short of regal, pacing restlessly with her head held high while shiny blonde waves encircled her face like a golden mane. The air around her was simmering with magic and it felt old. Older than a spell that had turned his siblings and him into vampires, it seemed. Something ancient, something more that made his skin prickle with anticipation and his muscles tense with wariness. Klaus had seen enough of witchcraft and magic to suspect that the creature standing so proudly before him wasn't made by any spell. She simply was.

And damn him if that wasn't the most sinister possibility.

He didn't like it, the notion that there was someone out there, more powerful than him. Not when he had been adamant in ensuring that wasn't the case, snuffing out the mere idea of resistance the moment he saw little specks of betrayal lingering in the perpetrator's eyes. At the same time, the thought was…thrilling in a way. There was still something left to be conquered, another battle to amuse himself with.

"Tasty little thing, isn't she?" Kol's cheeky voice broke him out of his thoughts.

His younger brother had dragged him away from the party going on downstairs to Klaus' private studio, informing him that his birthday gift had arrived and insisting that they went to see it right away. Normally, he wasn't one to cater to his ridiculous whims but in this instance, he would lie if he said he wasn't intrigued what his pest of a sibling had come up this time. The upside to Kol's insanity was that he always found the most unusual gifts.

Klaus nodded noncommittally, keeping the harsh words that threatened to spill from his mouth inside. He didn't like his brother speaking of the woman so casually but he also resented the surge of possessiveness that washed over him upon hearing Kol. With his face formed in an emotionless mask, he asked instead, "What is she?"

Taking a huge gulp out of a wine bottle in his hand, Kol sauntered to the balcony and leaned against the railing. The view of Florence at night stretched behind him, their villa's location allowing them the perfect perspective of the city. Instead of answering, he rose the bottle to his mouth again, taking unusually long time (at least for him) to savour the drink.

"Kol," came Klaus' growl, the hybrid growing impatient with this stalling tactic.

With a long suffering sigh, he finally said, "I'm not bloody sure, okay? All I know is I lost twenty witches trying to catch her. None of their spells worked on her. And she ate half of them, Nik. Isn't that fantastic?"

He shook his head at the cheerful tone of his voice. Only Kol would be that excited over such carnage.

Actually, it must have run in the family, he mused internally as he felt the twinge of arousal pooling in his body when images of the blonde, bloodied and feral in the midst of the fight flooded his mind. "How did you capture her, then?" he asked hoarsely.

Kol's lips curved in a wide grin. "Greta threw herself at her when she was busy dismembering another witch. Managed to clasp that ancient magic-binding collar you once found in Greece around her neck. Apparently it weakens her enough that she cannot transform fully," he explained before adding, sarcasm seeping in his voice, "Valiant little witch, that Greta. Too bad our blonde beauty here snapped her neck before she could get away."

Whooshing towards his brother, Klaus snatched the bottle from his hand and smashed it against the railing. "You stole the Knossos Collar from me?!" he snarled, holding the broken glass against Kol's neck, droplets of blood already staining his crisp white shirt.

"I got your favourite witch killed and you're angry over some bloody artifact. Good to know you have your priorities in order, brother."

"Kol."

"It got you this pretty birthday present, didn't it? Why so uptight, Nik? Is your old age finally getting to you?"

The younger Mikaelson's voice held no hint of remorse whatsoever. And the truth was Klaus really wasn't that upset over Greta - however skillful she was both at magic and keeping his bed warm on occasion, he could always find another witch. It irked him that Kol had taken the collar but it was stored in the family vault so he shouldn't have expected anything better of him. What unsettled him most was that the piece of jewelry had been clasped around the blonde's this whole time and yet he hadn't noticed, too busy admiring her.

With a malevolent smirk spreading across his face, Klaus relaxed his grip on Kol and patted him on the chest. "You're absolutely right, brother. This is indeed the most stunning gift. Now I wish to be left alone with it," he admitted graciously, enjoying the look of confusion on the other man's face at his sudden change of attitude. "Thank you, Kol," he bristled through his teeth before throwing him over the railing and walking back inside.

It was time to talk to his guest.


"That was quite rude of you." The blonde's vibrant voice welcomed him.

"Don't say you feel bad for Kol, love. He was the one to catch you, after all."

"I didn't say I disapproved," she quipped resolutely, sneaking a glance at him from under her lashes.

Klaus could feel the intensity of her gaze on his skin, scorching right though to his bones. There was a certain allure to the way she would meet his stare head on, slightly tilting her head as she looked at him, seemingly deep in thought as if he were her favourite puzzle to solve. Tracing his lower lip with his tongue, the wolf in him purred in delight when he saw her repeat the gesture, her eyes following his every move. It was as if she was inviting him to play.

And who was he to deny the lady?

"So it seems you have eaten my most useful witch," he stated, lifting his brow.

The woman chuckled, her head dipping back and exposing the creamy curve of her neck. His gums ached, fangs ready to emerge and sink into that delicious flesh, to save the taste of her blood on his tongue. He held back though, even if it took a lot of his self-restraint. But he didn't want to spook her, at least not yet anyway - for now he needed her willing and talking and sharing her secrets. Besides, she didn't seem like to type to be easily scared, if her nonchalance was anything to go by.

And if he were honest with himself, Klaus would admit he didn't really want to see fear in those ocean blue eyes, not when she looked at him.

As if she heard his thoughts, the woman's eyes shot back to him, her irises filling with vivid mixture of greens and yellows, giving her gaze somewhat catlike appearance. "I like witches. They're tasty," she purred, flashing him a smile that was all teeth. "I wonder what flavour you'll leave on my teeth once I get out of here."

"A little bloodthirsty, aren't you, sweetheart?"

"It's like I don't take too kindly to imprisonment. Shocking."

"It's only a precaution. As soon as I know you pose no threat, I will free you."

The blonde cocked her brow at that, clearly doubtful, "Really? Because I recall being referred to as your birthday present. It doesn't really fill me with confidence in my impending release."

"Oh, believe me, love, I would crave nothing more than to keep you. But whatever my faults, I've' never taken a woman against her will," he said, stepping closer to the cage.

His captive let out a huff, clicking her tongue before she drawled, "Well, aren't you the epitome of all man virtues, Niklaus Mikaelson."

"So you know me. Splendid," Klaus smiled amusedly. "Although it leaves me at disadvantage for I don't know who you are, sweetheart."

A glint of yellow flashed through these beautiful eyes as she leaned towards him, her fingers wrapping around the metal bars. "I know many a thing, Niklaus. And I will figure out how to get that ridiculous necklace off - hell burn those bloody Greek witches who spelled it - and then I will leave that cage. Free me now and I'll be benevolent."

"I believe you're in no position to negotiate, love. I've got the upper hand."

"Oh, the arrogance of youth! I might eat you anyway, if only to teach you a lesson," she groused, rolling her eyes.

"I'm hardly a youngling, love. And you still haven't told me your name or what you are."

"Age is such a subjective thing though, isn't it?," she mused, "and the name's Caroline, so you may as well stop calling me those ridiculous pet names."

A wave of disappointment coursed through Klaus as he heard her answer the question so fast. Somewhere deep, he hoped she wouldn't cave so soon, that she would spar with him some more. "Caroline," he repeated, enjoying the way the name rolled off his tongue with ease no less.

Once again, it seemed as if she saw right through him. "Disappointed? Worry not, this is just my human name. Irrelevant in the grand scheme of things although I'm still quite partial to it."

"What are you, Caroline?" he prodded stubbornly, his wolf restless and anxious under his skin.

Shooting him a dazzling sweet smile, she beckoned him closer with her finger, her voice a honeyed whisper as her breath trickled down his ear and neck. "That's for me to know and you to guess, Niklaus."

With a step back, Caroline let out a low hiss of pain as her body struggled to change, the strain her bound magic had on her visible despite her best efforts to hide it. The dress she was in ripped in the back as huge, feather-covered wings began to emerge from her shoulder blades. Talons grew out of her fingers and toes and she hissed, showing four long canines sticking out of her mouth. Something sprang out of her back and Klaus' eyes widened as he realized it was a tail, possibly resembling that of a lion.

Caroline straightened, her chest falling and rising rapidly as she breathed, in and out. She bore her eyes into him, sending shivers down his spine as he noted how feral and hungry her gaze had turned. He couldn't help himself but take one step closer, this unearthly creature mesmerizing him with every breath she took.

His brother was right. There were many tasty little things in the world. But her?

She was exquisite.

"What am I, Niklaus? Answer and maybe I will spare your life."


AN: So what do you think of this one? Can you guess what kind of mythical creature Caroline is? Do you think Klaus will guess :P ? Please share your thoughts with me ;)

Thank you for reading and all your support,

Kate