Chapter 9
Lucy's house was a bright blue shotgun house on Treme Street. Elena was still in awe at how beautiful it was inside every time she came over. Light and bright in the front entrance and out into the kitchen with a lush greenhouse in the back of the house. Elena breathed deep and smiled as she took in the familiar smells of the dirt and herbs.
Lucy watched Elena smile comfortably and thought of how quick they had become friends. She felt a kindred spirit within her, not only that but she felt magic within Elena as well. She wasn't sure but she knew there was magic in her bloodline. She guessed that was also why she knew in her bones she could trust Elena with her life.
"It always feels like home here." Elena smiled as she opened her eyes.
"So mote it be dear friend." Lucy smiled back at her.
"Well should we get started?" Elena jabbed her arm and laughed. "What do I get to learn today oh wise one."
"Protection." Lucy laughed along with her and wiggled her fingers at her.
The girls spent hours looking through Lucy's grimoire that had been handed down. Elena loved her learning days with Lucy, it reminded her of something, like a deja vu, homey feeling she could never describe but it filled her with joy so she just enjoyed it instead of trying to figure out where the feeling was coming from.
"I did it!" Elena squealed with delight.
"Do you feel it like I described?"
"Yes! It almost feels warm, like I can feel a shield on my body."
"Congrats girl! Your first protection oil. I'd say you're a natural." Lucy smiled warmly at her friend.
"What do you think Vincent will think?!"
"I think he will be pleased he can spend a little less time watching your every move." Lucy laughed.
"Which reminds me I should get back to Marcel's soon. They hate when I come home after dark." Elena rolled her eyes.
"You deserve to celebrate. Take the long way home, ill text Marcel and tell him you'll be here for a little while longer, that should give you some time to wander. Besides that protection oil should protect against anyone wanting to harm you at least for a couple hours."
"You're the best Luce!" Elena giggled as she hugged her goodbye.
"Text me when you're back safe though!" She called out as Elena was half way out the door.
I took advantage of pretty much the first real alone time I had gotten since I ended up in New Orleans. My thoughts clear in the New Orleans night air. I'd come to love my new family in the weeks I had been here but sometimes I couldn't help but feel guilty even though I couldn't place why. I knew I probably had family and friends out there somewhere that I didn't remember, that were probably missing me. Sometimes I felt like they were better off without me without knowing why. It was the weirdest feeling. Like having a thought just at the tip of your tongue but you just couldn't grasp it.
I walked slower as I rounded the corner to Jackson Square where I could hear jazz music getting louder and my smile got bigger. A night for celebration it was and I was going to have a drink and enjoy it whether Marcel and Vincent liked it or not. They were too protective sometimes anyways.
Jackson Square came alive at night. Jazz music played wonderful upbeat music that you couldn't help but sway to as you heard it, crowds of people filled the square, artists painted for onlookers, the amazing food smells wafted from the open doors of the pubs surrounding the area.
First food.
As soon as the thought popped in a man danced over and grabbed her hand.
"Pity an old man and dance with me?" The man smiled widely.
"Why not?" Elena giggled.
They danced and laughed for a couple songs before she whispered under her breath and stared into the man's eyes.
"Let's get a drink over in that alley." The man glad fully followed Elena. "This won't hurt, don't scream."
Elena drank deeply from his wrist and felt the rush in her veins she felt every time she drank fresh blood.
"Mmm, thank you." She said as she licked her lips of the last drop. "Now, let's go get a real drink, you won't remember this." She smiled with her hands on both sides of his face.
Elena was on her 4th beer when she remembered the time. "Oh my god. Shit." She had been dancing in the crowd by herself living the night up to it's fullest. She grabbed her phone and saw the 3 missed calls from Marcel. She reluctantly called back. He answered on the first ring.
"Are you still at Lucy's? She said you would be leaving soon an hour ago."
"Well hello to you to Marcel." Elena giggled.
"Drunk at Jackson Square, are you?" She could almost see Marcels eyebrow cock up and smirk as he said it.
"Maybbee" She giggled
"Maybe you've been drinking too much."
"Oh come on 'no fun police' I was walking home and heard the music and wanted to celebrate and dance. Plus I have on the protection oil I made today."
"It got Lucy's stamp of approval huh?" Marcel found it so hard to be stern with Elena, her good mood was contagious.
"Yes it did!"
"Well-"
"Don't finish what you were going to say Marcel Gerard." Elena flirted.
Marcel thought for a second and spoke again.
"Fine, you got me. I don't ever want to be referred to as the 'no fun police' again. Let me come escort you home at least."
"No really it's ok. I want to feel like an independent adult for one night ok? I'll-" She stopped when she saw him. The hottest guy she'd laid her eyes on since seeing Marcel (who even she couldn't deny was hot even if he was her best friend but mostly protector) was sitting by the artists painting, looking at her smiling. Their eyes locked the second she spotted him like he had been waiting to get her attention.
"Hello?"
"I-" She watched him get up slowly and start walking towards her.
"Hello? Earth to Elena?"
"Sorry Marcel, I'm gonna go ok? This song is begging me to dance to it. I'll be home by midnight."
"Be sa-"
She didn't hear anything else Marcel said as she hung up. Her eyes never leaving the mysterious man that was walking towards her.
"Hello love."
"Hello, mysterious hot stranger." She said as her eyes blazed with passion.
"I couldn't help but notice how much fun you looked like you were having, much like everyone else here." He smirked to the side as she finally noticed others looking over to the pair.
"You actually have-" he stopped talking as he gently swiped his finger across the corner of her lip and wiped off a drop of blood that had been left over from her last meal. She watched as he licked it off his finger tip, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Oh" She was at a loss for words. She felt her skin blaze where he touched her.
"How long were you watching me." She smirked.
"Oh I noticed you as soon as you walked in. I would've introduced myself sooner but I figured I'd let you enjoy your meal first." He smirked back challenging her.
"Are you from around here? I feel like I know all the local vampires at least by face." It sounded cocky coming out of her mouth but she couldn't deny that she really did know pretty much all the locals since Marcel was basically king of the quarter. Plus she felt such a draw to him there was no way she could've missed him.
"No I'm new to the area, my brother and I recently moved in over by Rousseau's. "
"They have the best gumbo! Maybe we can get some soon?" Elena knew she couldn't leave without knowing she'd see him again.
"The first moment you are free I'll be expecting a date." He leaned in and kissed her hand.
Elena felt her hand blaze as his lips left her skin and blushed.
"Dance with me?" He said not even waiting for an answer as his hand wound around her waist moving her to the dance floor.
Elena found her body moving perfectly in tune with Niklaus's without even trying and full belly laughed as he twirled her around.
"You laugh like a child." He laughed in return.
"Hey!" She jutted her bottom lip out in a fake pout.
"In the best way possible, it's contagious." She turned her frown into a smile as she noticed his smile, it followed through into his eyes and made her melt.
"I could say the same about your smile."
"Flirt." He whispered into her ear and ran his hands slowly to her lower back, which in turn sent a shiver down her spine almost enticing a moan of pleasure.
They both felt the buzz of a phone in his pocket and slowly stepped away and blinked out of the fog they were in.
"I'm being summoned." Niklaus reluctantly smiled. "Can I get your number?"
"No, let's try something a little different."
"Then your name?"
She smirked at the chance to temp the fates, "If we're meant to meet again, it'll happen. Au revoir" Elena waved as she sauntered away, forcing herself not to turn around and see the look on his face.
Elena smiled as she walked slowly back to the compound remembering the feeling of their bodies swaying together. She was in a daze thinking of how good it felt to laugh and be so close to him. She was in that daze until she unknowingly bumped into Marcel in the entry way to the compound.
"Oh!" Elena was jolted out of her daydreaming.
"Midnight on the dot. I didn't think that would actually happen miss tipsy." Marcel laughed.
"I told you." Elena said disapproving.
"You seem distracted.." Marcel cocked his eyebrow up.
"Oh yeah, I guess I kinda am." She slurred as she touched her lip getting distracted by the thought of the mysterious man again before remembering she was in the middle of a conversation with Marcel. "Sorry I just had a good night and I'm slightly drunk."
"Go to bed." He laughed as he moved her by her shoulders to the hallway where her room was.
