A/n: Edited on 10/13/2019.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: I do not own TVD. The only thing I do own is the plots I write for this story and the Original Characters I create.

Chapter 8: Dance With The Devil

Mystic Falls

Present - January 28, 2011

She wasn't the one for staying in one place. There were always new places to explore, new ideas to think, new people to meet, and so much more. In general, people would typically stereotype her as a free spirit. Not that it bothered her, anyway. She was always like that. Ever since she could walk, she was always on the go wherever her feet took her. Never in her life had she ever thought of the answers she needed were in such a small town. Living in such a metropolitan city for so long does wonders to you.

Walking up the rickety wooden staircase to the first floor, she strode over to the backyard feeling the cold air seep into her bones. Stretching her arms above her head, she could feel more of her natural flexible muscles return from their stiff state. It felt splendid to be out of that stupid basement.

Her light blue eyes turned upward towards the stars. The night sky was blanketed with millions of them, and there was a full moon out tonight too.

Full moon…

That reminded her.

"What's the point of you checking on my wellbeing if all you've done is kept me at your beck and call?" She never liked that, but she had no choice.

Klaus chuckled darkly. "I haven't heard of you complain about it before."

She turned around, not surprised by who graced his presence to her. Or rather the other way around that would make more sense.

"That's because I was there for my friends. My family," she answered with her eyes second glancing towards the wolf beside him. Why? Are we all just broken souls in the bitter end of it all?

"You'll get what you want. All in due time." He reassured her, but it only took an opposite effect on her.

"I doubt that," she spoke. "In order to get what I want, I had to make a deal with the devil. How do you think that makes me feel? It doesn't have me feeling fine and dandy like at a Sunday picnic, Klaus."

Klaus sauntered closer to her until they were within five feet of each other. He already knew a long time ago about her uneasiness around other vampires since she was a witch. That nervousness grew even more when there was an Original vampire around because they made her edgy in the first place. It was a profound effect the Mikaelson family had. Genetic, also too.

"What's with the wittiness all the sudden? Usually that's not your trademark, love."

That was someone else's trademark. That personality itself can be very tiring sometimes dealing with. The smartass mouth that always came back with a joke and clever play on words. And of the things that really drove Klaus up with the wall, was the stubbornness. He was thankful he didn't have to deal with that right now.

"Someone has to keep up with you, and I wouldn't call it wittiness. I'd like to rather think of it as me being clever. I'm not just any witch, you know." She answered as if it were the most obvious answer in the world.

"I didn't forget. You were trained under the best. I was a witness to that."

The witch scoffed at him. "Like you would know anything about magic."

His eyes, which held its wicked mirth, darkened bringing back his previous anguish from before. His face was tense too which only added to the dark image. "I would tone down on the insults, love. Don't dig yourself a hole you can't get out of."

The she-wolf felt the tension filling the air and took precaution. She left Klaus's side and hopped into a defensive stance protecting the witch. Klaus stopped, the wolf snarling at him if he had made a move towards the blonde. Before anything happened, he stepped back chuckling darkly at the she-wolf.

Always loyal to the end to her family. Even after everything.

It was taking so much of the wolf's control to not let her heartbeat race with all of the adrenaline in her system. The stress of recent events had been pressuring, but she took care of it. She growled a warning to him, making him aware that she meant business. There were certain lines that will not be crossed. Harming who she cared about was one of them. The wolf didn't care about who he was or how his anger would be if she roused it.

She felt a soft hand stroking through her caramel fur from her head down to her back trying to ease the tense stance the wolf stood in. The witch had dropped to the wolf's height and gazed directly into her eyes as she petted the wolf. "It's okay, I can handle myself. You don't need to protect everyone. Take it easy."

The she-wolf would have responded, but no sound came out. As a witch with a keen eye and experience, she took note of this quickly. She was going to have a word about this to Klaus whether he liked it or not. There's no logic of having the she-wolf working so hard if it was going to have a negative effect on her health. She sent a heavy glare Klaus's way.

Begrudgingly, he waved his hand to dismiss the wolf. "Go on ahead for the night."

She looked from Klaus to the other witch, and then back to Klaus. The wolf narrowed her eyes and emitted a low growl, still wary of leaving one of the only people she cared for with Klaus. Hesitant, she walked slowly back in a sluggish manner into the mansion, hopefully to get more of the rest she deserved.

The witch watched the she-wolf do his bidding, wondering sometimes if this was even worth it. The she-wolf was protective of everyone she cared about, but was it really worth it to go to these lengths? However, the witch knew things would come to a head soon enough, and she didn't want to be there when that happened.

"I hope you don't take it too far with her." The witch stated in concern about the wolf's present health.

"She can handle herself. I'd like to think you should be worried about yourself, considering what you have at stake." The hybrid devil sneered.

The witch's rare anger began to seep into her bones, causing everything around her to slightly shake, but she had more control so it didn't come off as badly. "I only came here for information. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Oh, but I know that you are a very bad liar. I know there's something else, more like a certain someone pressing on your brain." Klaus smirked watching her. Her face was emotionless, but her eyes displayed the real message. What also didn't help was the old habit that refuses to die down even after a century. She kept biting her lip. He ensnared her now. "I might add that this certain someone's name with the initials D and S."

The breath inside of her lungs hitched at the mention of those two initials. Damn him. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Klaus flashed in front of her closing in on her face. "Don't lie to me, witch. Do you know how every cell in my body desires to eradicate them?"

How he could eradicate her in a heartbeat.

She was by no means a hostile individual, but she wasn't going to be threatened without her right to defend herself. Though several inches taller than her, the witch didn't back down. Looking at him dead in the eyes, she countered his question with her own. "Do you know how much I was just want to say to hell with your plans?"

"There are other witches I can use to replace you," Klaus threatened.

She highly doubted him as she called off his bluff. "Yet your threats are empty. Besides, where are you going to find a witch at this time of night? Currently, you're boxed in this small town due to my doing. No way in, no way out. Besides, there is no other witch like me."

Klaus scoffed laughing, but he knew deep down that she was speaking the truth. He was fully aware from experience of who he was contending with. Just because he was still the most powerful creature on Earth (under Silas), there were few who were still capable of going against him a few rounds. There were few, but it was enough to keep up his guard. Given of who she was trained under, she was definitely not to be underestimated.

"If you want the spell to stay up and running, you have to keep up your end of the bargain. Break it, and there won't be any satisfaction for you in the end. I don't take kindly to threats, Klaus. My loyalty doesn't belong to you."

"Duly noted."

The witch had nothing more to say to the hybrid. Klaus stormed back into the mansion leaving the witch alone to herself again.

She exhaled the heavy breath she had been holding inside her chest. All of the emotions finally came crashing down. Her legs became numb causing her to fall back into one of the lawn chairs; all the self-control was thrown into the wind when she was left alone. Gathering her legs, she wrapped her arms around herself, rocking back and forth slightly. Silent sobs shook her body, but she didn't dare to utter a sound. She wouldn't let Klaus or anyone else to hear her.

For the most part, the witch kept her problems to herself because she was usually focused on helping others. That was in her nature. There was so much violence and crisis all around the world, her generous heart can't help urge to try to heal that poor soul in some way. Though helping was one of the things that kept her going, fighting was one of the last things on her list to do. More of a lover than a fighter. Call her a pacifist even, who knows? Peace was an essential element that was integrated into her as an individual. Even more personally than her nature as a witch. It was mandatory. Growing up, her life was simple. It was her own little world, but her curiosity had won in the end.

There was more to her; something deep within her blood she can't figure out without some information. With that yearning for knowledge, she departed for the open road. It was simple until it came tumbling down.

The strain of everything weighted on her back. There was more to Caroline's death, more to being chained to Klaus's demands, and more than to keep the spell ongoing. She let her caring heart get in the way, and she was ashamed about it. She wasn't ashamed that she cared, but ashamed for not using her common sense that her mother gave her.

Especially, when that one man was the worst of them all to pick: Damon Salvatore.

God, how did it come to this?

Saints and Sinners

Inside the bar

New Orleans

Past - January 25, 1910

How many shots did she take? She lost count after three - no wait - make that four and counting.

She sighed heavily as she glanced at herself in the mirror across from her in the bar. The young woman in her reflection was a stranger to her. Clearly, she wasn't the same girl she once was. Her bangs getting in the way of her eyes again, she brushed them aside, only for them to be stubborn and go right back to their original place. Fine, fuck it. They can be stubborn all they want. It's not like she cared.

When she was only supposed to be in her early twenties, it was like she was pushing forty instead. Feeling run down, but not fully was the weirdest feeling in the world. Even though she was a supernatural creature, there were still consequences for her actions, especially after these last several months with her deeds. Who'd thought she would get into one of her father's nastier habits? Drinking was always bad, but what can she say? Some wicked things can run in families that you'd never thought to experience. Her habits weren't exactly healthy with the drinking involved. Her skin lost its natural slightly tanned complexion - never mind. It's too much to list.

People can change over time, and sometimes not for the best. She was a personal witness to that. Everything about her was messy and complicated. Becoming a werewolf does do that to you.

Werewolf or not, she just wanted to get away for a little while, even if it was a temporary release. She knew what little drinking did to solve anything, but she didn't care.

Her mama used to say, "Drinking just eats away at the soul. Before you know it, you're drowning in it and it'll be hard to come up for air."

Her mother's words fell on deaf ears. After all, her mother was dead for some time now, and she wouldn't be the only one who would throw a conniption fit letting herself go like this.

However, there was no one anymore. At least, no one that the werewolf knew. Most of them were dead.

Moments later, her nose caught a whiff of a very strange scent. It was familiar yet it wasn't. Keeping herself inconspicuous, she resumed her drinking, but her eyes added up to who had the unexpected aroma. In the mirror across from her, she surveyed four people coming through the entrance. She had enough knowledge to know it wasn't just ordinary humans.

The one she was most familiar with was Marcel. She never associated with him, but whispers among the supernatural knew who the head honcho of New Orleans. She may have only been of the supernatural nature for a few months, but you learn hard and quickly who was on top of the food chain. She wasn't afraid to fight. Often as of late, she had been caught up in a fight or two needing a release of the pent up emotion inside of her.

Next, was the young blonde woman with the calm yet…cautious façade? Gulping another shot making this the fifth one, the woman watching knew what the blonde was like the back of her hand. She had been practically raised around it even though the power of magic was not in her bloodline. She knew of a few herbs here and there thanks to growing up around a witch for company.

The last two people were the most unknown, but she could tell both were dangerous. It was hard to make out which was more dangerous: the male or the female. The cocky brat she had seen before, but never recollected on his name. She had gone to a party once or twice getting caught up with the drinking and craziness. He was a total party animal, and he wasn't the only one capable of being a smartass.

At last, she observed the other blonde girl over there who almost reminded…that was a while back, but the scent threw her off. It was so familiar to her own. To her own kind. But, it couldn't be possible. Almost like…that was when she knew.

Before she could get up, a white-hot pain pulsed through her abdomen making her body lurch forward.

"Not now. Damn it, not now." The werewolf grunted in pain.

She held her stomach trying to get up from the stool and away from the bar avoiding attention. Straining, she paid the bartender and jogged quickly as she could to get away from prying eyes. It couldn't be tonight, though. It was too early. Why now in public? It was torture enough as it is.

Struggling, she ignored all of the confused eyes on her back making her way to the powder room. Hastily, she locked the door behind her, crawling in pain to lean against the back wall to keep herself up. When another round of torture coursed through her body, a muffled cry of pain came through her throat as she bit her tongue to silence herself. She tasted the coppery taste of blood from her mouth just reminding her of what was to come.

Beads of sweat started to form across her forehead, perspiring her skin and making her feel slick and grimy. Everything around her became hotter making it harder for her to breathe. She stripped of her dress in vain trying to make herself cooler.

She still didn't get the picture though. The whole logic behind this madness was too difficult to comprehend. How could her family glorify this damn curse as something to be good? How is breaking every bone in your body as something to be proud of? How are wolves supposed to be superior over everyone else?

It kept coming in waves at first. She closed her eyes tightly as she braced for the impact. The white hot pain shot through her, giving her little time to recuperate and prepare for the next cycle. And, it was only the beginning. Soon, it would be never ending.

It wouldn't be long before she would bring hell to another batch of victims. Her agony would repeat like it had happened the first time, and it will always repeat.

Looking to the cracked window above her, the wolf caught a partial glimpse of the white moon, only confirming her fears.

Meanwhile...

"You're the king of New Orleans?" Caroline's words slipped from her tongue.

Marcel took no offense. The way he looked at her was more of pure fascination. "Ah…King…you know, I never get tired of that name. It suits all too well."

Marcel's dark eyes shifted to the other young lady standing beside Kol. He distinguished the fact that the younger girl was a witch, and she was also was probably the same age as the other blonde girl in their little trio. There were subtle differences in the girls. While the witch had a more relaxed attitude, the peculiar feminine creature had more of a fire to her. He definitely liked that.

He offered his arm to Caroline. "Shall we, my lady?"

Caroline stood undecided for a second, but with some courage, she took his arm linking them together. Marcel escorted Caroline to his private table leaving the witch and Original vampire left. Kol also offered his arm to the Charlene being a gentleman for once. "May I?"

Charlene sighed. "You might as well go for it."

She copied Caroline's action linking herself to Kol's arm. They followed Marcel and Caroline to an exclusive table, which had a very good view of the dining tables, bar, entertainment, and the gambling portion of it all.

Marcel sat at his position as head of the table with Caroline on his left and Charlene on his right and Kol sitting right next to her. The vampire-king wasn't one for manners generally, but only on an occurrence once or twice. This magnificent creature really caught his intrigue, but it's a matter of how long that interest will last. Marcel can get bored rather easily.

"Bring out the champagne," he ordered one of his servants.

Charlene stiffened at the mention of anything alcohol. Caroline noticed this, and she wasn't the only one.

"Is there something wrong?" Marcel inquired.

"No, not at all. Just a bit chilly." Charlene answered shaking the edge off. It wasn't that she didn't like drinking; it's just that a lot of what comes out of her mouth is uncensored with enough drinks in her bloodstream.

Caroline and Charlene exchanged glances, but Charlene nodded to her letting her know she would be okay. The compelled human servant did what he asked by bringing four champagne flutes on a silver tray while wheeling in a bucket filled with ice; the expensive bottle of champagne laid well inside the ice nice and cold. The servants passed out each a flute to Marcel's guests, pouring in the sparkling champagne in each one.

After the servants finished Marcel's demand, he stopped them once again. "Wait a minute. Kol, don't you think that something's missing for this?" He asked giving him a knowing glance.

Kol caught the gist of it. "Oh, I know exactly what you mean."

Without warning, both Marcel and Kol seized a compelled human servant for their own, biting into their neck with their true nature showing. Charlene naturally cringed from the grotesque display of what was to be their normal eating diet. Caroline restrained herself from her vampire part taking over, but she even knew that the smell of fresh blood was appetizing. The veins around her eyes glinted dark for a second, her true nature aching through.

"Aren't you going to join us or are you one of those vegetarian diets?" Marcel asked finishing the use of his human's neck dripping blood into the flute.

"It doesn't take much, darling. Just take a quick bite. Just like this." He demonstrated by going in for a second bite of the current hostage he had hold off. The second bite brought in a fresh session of blood dripping into Kol's glass as an added bonus from before. It amazed Charlene that none of the compelled even uttered a sound in reaction.

Caroline eyed a male servant standing close to her. He was average, but it was good enough for her thirst. Still caring enough, she stood up in her seat and stared directly into his eyes. Her eyes dilated and in so doing beginning the compulsion. "Don't panic. Let me take care of things. You can go after that, okay."

"Okay." he understood repeating her last word like a robotic drone.

Her fangs gave in to the throbbing, and lengthened out revealing her white teeth. Holding his wrist, she broke the skin just enough to draw enough a good decent flow of blood that trickled into the champagne. She let go of him and dismissed him. "You can go."

Marcel let all of his bitten servants go to their business by clapping his hands. "Away, all of you." He scoured them away like common rats, and then resumed his conversation with the other three. "So, where were we? Oh, yes. Since I introduced myself, I would like to know who you are."

Charlene decided to get it over with saving Caroline the effort. "I'm sure you know Adelaide from what I can see of how you interact with Kol. He does tend to let his mouth run away with him from time to time."

"I'm going to have to agree with you there." Caroline laughed as Kol glared a bit by the witch's clever statement.

"Well, these two interesting ladies have been under Adelaide's wing for a while. The lady you just heard speak now was the ever clever witch, Charlene Davis. Now, the other stunning young woman you see next to you is Caroline." Kol explained with evil thoughts of draining Charlene running in his brain.

"Charlene and Caroline." He tested their names letting them roll off his tongue as if he was trying new food. "It suits you well. It's just like how my title does with me, but enough with the pleasantries. We need to get this running along."

"At least you've finally come to your senses. Usually, you jump right into the entertainment." Kol said with a smirk.

Marcel smirked in return and raised his glass in a toast. "Pour une bonne santé et à la gloire de la Nouvelle-Orléans."

Everyone followed suit raising their glasses. Charlene and Kol had no problem communicating back in French from what Caroline could reckon, but it still left Caroline helpless not knowing what they're saying. Not wanting to embarrass herself, she raised her glass silently, and lifted it to her mouth tasting the blood-added champagne. Trying to work through her confusion, she silently mouthed to Charlene, "What did they say earlier?"

Charlene shook her head and mouthed back. "Don't worry about it."

"Do you know the history of New Orleans, Caroline?"

Caroline shifted in her seat uncomfortably feeling the weight of the vampire-king's stare on her. Carefully picking her words, she answered. "I've never been anywhere else outside of my hometown."

"And that would be if I may ask?" Marcel drank a sip of his champagne waiting for Caroline's reply.

"I'm from a small town in Virginia. It's no big deal, really." Caroline answered honestly. Mystic Falls wasn't missing her that much, anyway.

"You must have come a long way to come down here." Marcel mused. Oh, he had no idea how long way she did get to here. And not in a way like he thought so either.

"Oh yes, but it was worth it. She certainly made it more interesting with her as company." Charlene started with a friendly smile.

Caroline smiled back; glad to have made a friend in this whole messed up situation she was in.

"Well, let's dig into some dinner. While Louisiana is rich in life itself, it also has a define richness in flavor when it comes to the cuisine too. Bring everything in." Marcel clapped his hands with the servants scrambling again to get his orders right.

Caroline and Charlene exchanged looks again fully agreeing that this was going to be a long night.

Outside just a couple of miles away from Saints and Sinners...

"Please, don't hurt me! I won't say anything." The young redheaded girl pleaded for her life, unable to move her body due to the compulsion. But, he didn't care. She was just a meal.

"It won't be a problem, love. Besides, you'll be dead in just a bit. Goodbye," he purred to her with false security in his tone. He walked behind her smelling the fear that leaked from her pores. Oh, how he craved it. That natural fear of the prey being caught by the predator was an addiction. It was a role he lived up to naturally in his life. This was his stage and he was the star.

He brushed back her hair back over to the side exposing the pale-freckled flesh. Holding her still, his hands felt around her skin almost caressing it. His eyes became dark and red, and his long pointed teeth tore into her neck. He drained her of the succulent blood that previously flowed throughout her body. Once he was finished, he tossed the lifeless carcass aside not caring who caught on.

He was an Original. The strongest of them all, and he couldn't get caught. He wouldn't get caught while he still had something to say about it.

Coming back to New Orleans, Klaus had his reasons. He only used the excuse of searching for Kol to cover his real motives. Hey, there's nothing wrong with killing two birds with one stone.

Klaus was always one with a plan. He had to since he had ran from his father for so long. He almost had it perfected. There was always a motive to the ulterior motive.

The vampire's mind had racked with questions for a while too. A very strange occurrence came to pass not too long ago. He didn't ponder too long on the date of when because it was too much of a waste of time. But, he didn't like to have questions unanswered. There was a certain instinct that drove him to here. His stormy blue eyes caught the place of where his answer was: Saints and Sinners.