My first full Klaroline story! Hope you all enjoy.
Note: The chapter titles are the songs that inspired the chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Diaries.

Chapter One

Monster, how should I feel?
Creatures lie here, looking through the window.

Caroline Forbes took a deep breath, standing in the middle of a giant ballroom. Her dark blue ball gown made her feel like Cinderella—minus the poofy sleeves—as she gingerly lifted it, moving towards the bar. As she strode with false confidence, she felt her hastily-thrown-into-a-bun hair threatening to fall out of its precarious hold. Grabbing a flute of champagne, she tore her hair out of its hold, letting the curls fall to her shoulders haphazardly. Was she supposed to be so nervous for some stupid supernatural ball?

After her vampire parent—the woman that had changed her—ditched her in her home town of Mystic Falls, Caroline had been working to find out how to be a vampire without going crazy. Somehow, she'd ended up in England, using powers she didn't know she had. Then, as if they knew that she was there, she received an invitation to the Annual Mikaelson Supernatural Ball.

Whatever the hell that was.

But she was determined to find someone that could help her learn about her new nature, help her control the urge to suck a human dry just because they had nicked themselves shaving the morning before.

Glancing down at her hand, she stared at the ring that gave her the ability to walk around in the sunlight, the only gift from her absentee creator she'd received. It was a little tacky and large, but the lapis lazuli shone beautifully in any light, flickering with something akin to the magic it held.

"Excuse me, everyone, but it seems the last of the guests have arrived, so we will commence with the ball."

Caroline's head shot up at the voice. Slow, controlled, and casually accented like most British royalty. The owner had short, well-styled brown hair and a perfectly coiffed tux. Knowledgeable hazel eyes scanned the crowd, catching hers for a brief moment before passing over. He was handsome, she determined, but cold. Probably not the best person to go to for advice on being a vampire. She didn't know how long she could be around such an old-fashioned man without wanting to pull her hair out.

Next to him was another man, much younger, that looked almost exactly like the other, though his eyes held a flash of mischief. His bow-tie had been undone, making him look rakish. His eyes went through the crowd, checking out all the ladies, even doing so to her. A lopsided smirk met her annoyed gaze when he saw that she had caught him in the act.

Rolling her eyes, she looked at another of the men. He seemed bored, his longish hair parted and laying flat. Because of his disinterest, she wondered if maybe she should go to him.

"You know, it isn't polite to stare."

Caroline spun on her heel, catching knowing blue eyes. Before her stood a beautiful blonde, dressed in a gorgeous empire-waist green gown. There was a slit to show a long, pale leg and her make up was done perfectly. She was looking Caroline up and down, judging her.

"I'm sorry," Caroline said quickly. "I've never been here before."

"I know. I would recognize you if you had." The other woman leaned forward, just barely moving into Caroline's space. "You are quite young to be here alone. Who are you here with?"

Caroline glanced down at her feet, feeling uncomfortable. "I am here alone. I received an invitation, so I came, hoping to get some help with the transition between human life and...vampire life." She looked back up to the other woman, taking a deep breath for strength before sticking out her hand. "My name is Caroline Forbes; I guess I should have said that before."

Smiling, the other woman took her hand, saying, "Hello, Caroline Forbes. I am Rebekah Mikaelson, the youngest of the Original vampires. Do you know what we usually do with baby vampires that have no sire with them, especially within the first year?" Rebekah dropped her hand, suddenly completely calm. "We tear their heart out. They are a liability that our race cannot allow to run amok."

Caroline gasped, taking a step back. She was going to die. That much was clear in the Original's eyes. She'd be dragged off somewhere, her heart torn from her chest before she'd had a chance to really live. Hell, she was barely twenty-one! Wasn't there supposed to be more life now? Eternity to find out who she was?

Deciding she was going to try to run—though she knew that older vampires would easily outrun her—she turned on her heel in a flash, running head on into a solid chest.

"Whoa there, sweetheart. Where's the fire?"

She looked up, finding a face that mildly resembled that of the man who had spoken and Rebekah's. Rusty-brown hair was styled just enough to pass off as trying, though she doubted he had. Dark blue eyes held a mysterious vibe, the smile on his face not quite reaching them. He stood just a few inches taller than she did in her heels, arms strong and well-muscled.

"I..." Where the hell had her voice gone? As a human, Caroline had never been at a loss for words. Now, as a vampire, she wasn't sure of who she was, what to say. She didn't know anything about this world and she was pretty sure she wasn't going to live to learn anymore about it.

"Niklaus, she came here without a sire. She can't be more than a year old. You know our policy on vampires that are left so soon after they change. We can't have her making the humans aware of our existence." Rebekah's voice was surprisingly bored when talking about someone's life.

Caroline glanced between the two of them, wishing she could take a step back, disappear into the shadows without them noticing. But, somehow, the man's hand had found its way to the small of her back, subtly bringing her closer to him.

His smile was all teeth, fierce fangs flashing. "Then I'll take care of her."

Both women stared at him in shock, though Caroline's eyes held a little more fear. He was going to take care of her? He didn't even know her!

Rebekah glared at the other blonde, snarling, "Fine. But if she steps out of line, brother, I will kill her myself." She disappeared into the crowd, leaving Caroline in a little frightened of what would happen with this new man.

Glancing over at him, she tried to be discreet, but he was watching her closely, as if knowing her worry. "You have nothing to fear, love," he said, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. "I won't let anything happen to you." He stood once more, leading her to the dance floor. "My name is Niklaus Mikaelson, but you may call me Klaus. It's a pleasure to meet you." There was that toothy smile again.

"Caroline," she murmured, allowing him to dance with her.

Perhaps this trip to Europe wasn't such a bad thing. She could learn about what she was and maybe make some friends in high places.

These chapters will be much shorter than my other stories. I hope you all liked it!