Alright, now this is a long one!
I told you we were entering a new part of the story, and behold; it is time to find out what has been happening in NOLA all this time... This means TO character POVs, and so I feel obligated to warn you all that Cami is now making her entrance into the fic. Note: I feel it is important to the story, and to the original actors, to be respectful of characters - even if they have been given a tough break. I don't believe in throwing dirt on other fandoms or hating each other, simply because we have different opinions on things. So yeah, I am a devoted Klaroline fan - but that does not mean I will avoid or just brush of the canon arch of Klamille.
With that said, consider yourselves warned. But trust me, the rest of the story will be worth the few moments that are Cami-centered.
Let me know how you like this one in the reviews! See you soon. xx.
Chapter 22: We never speak of the darkness
Present day
New Orleans, Louisiana
Fire.
Fire everywhere.
Everything was burning. She was burning.
What had they done to her?
Her veins were torching her insides. She jerked to try and get away, to shake the flames off, only to find that it was out of her control. "No..." she managed to get out and gasped when her body jerked again. She threw her head to the side. "No, put it out..." she pleaded and whimpered.
Suddenly she felt hands moving over her arms, adding even more heat to her body. "No!" she exclaimed and tried to get away from it. From the flames. The hands. "You have to put it out!" she whimpered and felt her tears run down her cheeks. "Put it out, please... Please, put it out. Put it out!"
Somewhere distant she heard a voice call on her but the flames surrounding her were far too distracting. "How did this happen?" she sobbed. "What did I do? What did I do?"
"Caroline."
She flinched; she had definitely heard that. Where was it coming from? There was just darkness and flames all around her... Who else was there? Where were they hiding?
"Caroline."
She realized she was closing her eyes. How long had she been doing that? Immediately she forced them open and saw light. So much bright light. It stung a little and she let out a grunt as she tried to keep her eyes open despite it. Then there was suddenly something blocking her view, blocking the light. A face.
It was too blurry to make out who it was but suddenly a pair of hands tried to cup her cheeks. She twisted out of their reach. "No... No more flames. Please." she sobbed and bit her lip as the tears kept on coming. "I can't… just please. No more..." she begged without knowing who she was really begging.
The hands started brushing away her tears, clearing her view and sharpening her focus as she finally recognized the face before her. "Klaus?" she breathed out with a raspy voice. He smiled at her and held her face with both hands, stroking her cheekbones with his thumbs. "Was it you?" she gasped before stuttering on. "Did you do it? Did... Did you start the fire?"
His eyes studied her for a moment before he shook his head. "There is no fire, love. That is the venom."
"Venom?" she echoed. "I was poisoned?"
At her words, his face fell hard and cold. He withdrew his hands from her abruptly as he turned dark eyes towards her. "No, Caroline." he said slowly, sounding pained by the words as he said them. "You were bitten."
"Did you do this!?" she gasped in pure horror. "You did this. You did this to me…"
"Caroline…" he tried to console her, but she flinched at his touch. "Sweetheart..." he tried again but she jumped back from him, kicking at the sheets underneath her and fighting to put as much distance between them as she possibly could.
"Don't touch me! Stay away from me!" she shouted as he tried to reach for her again.
"Calm down, Caroline. Breathe." he pleaded softly.
Shaking her head profusely as her body wouldn't stop shaking despite her efforts. "No, no! You're going to kill me." she hissed then, covering her face with her trembling hands. Shaking her head and trying to push the world away.
"You're going to kill me... You're going to kill me..." she whispered, rocking back and forth on her heels. "You did this. You did this to me. You tried to kill me. You want to kill me... You're killing me..."
Hands suddenly gripped her wrists, drawing a sharp scream of horror escape her and cut off her rant. But it only took a few seconds before she was transported. She froze up in chock as she widened her eyes at the sight.
There were no more flames. No fire. No heat…
Only mountains.
She stared out over the green landscape before her, stretching as far as she could see. Snowy alpine tops surrounding her as she stood in the middle of an open meadow. Turning around and smiling as she finally felt like she could breathe again. Her skin didn't burn anymore. Her body didn't hurt.
All she could feel was a serene and wonderful peace, filling her with a giggle that bubbled up as she spun in circles with her arms out in the air. She sat down and brushed her hands over the flowers by her feet, a wide grin etched on her face as she took in their smells. Nectar and dandelions and forget-me-nots... It tickled her nose and brought another giggle out of her as she admired the vibrant colors. She had never seen any place like this. And the strong contrast made her wonder…
Her thoughts were interrupted when she looked up to see a man standing in the meadow with her. She recognized him immediately and called out.
"Klaus, look!" she said, gesturing over her surroundings and tilting her head back to revel in the sunlight on her face. She looked back at him with worried eyes. "I think… Is this heaven?" she asked cautiously, earning a sweet smile from the man then.
He chuckled softly, the sound echoing through the landscape and confusing her shortly before she was distracted by him again. "Actually, love. It's Switzerland." he told her as he walked forward.
"Switzerland?" she echoed in bewilderment, wondering momentarily how they had gotten to a different country. And why.
He came to sit down beside her, lying back on the grass and flowers with a relaxed sigh. "It's a small village just north of Bern." he explained, his eyes warm and crystal clear and drawing her closer.
She leaned down on his chest and smiled when he wrapped an arm around her. Stroking her back gently while he spoke again. "Nowadays it is often filled with tourists, and it's not nearly as peaceful as it was when I first came across it." he said, sounding like he was dreaming of it all over again. "But in the summers, there are periods of time when the only people present are the locals. And the air is crisp and fresh, there are faint sounds of birds, deer and even alpine marmots lurking around in the woods. And for just a short moment in time, it feels like…"
He seemed at a loss for words as she looked up to study him. "Like heaven." she finished, earning a sweet grin from him.
"Yes. Like heaven."
She drew circles over his chest as he held her close, the peace filling her once more and making it easier to breathe. "Can we stay here?" she asked, looking up at his thoughtful eyes with a hopeful smile.
"As long as you want, Caroline." he promised softly, hugging her tighter as she nuzzled into his neck and sighed in content. Blissfully unaware that outside of this vision, she rested her head on his lap while he brushed her hair gently. The hybrid beside her had a pair of subtle tears rolling down his face, his eyes focused on her as she shook and convulsed under his hands. Her skin dark and bruised, blood spread over her clothes and her hair sticky with sweat.
But she couldn't feel any of it. For her, there was no pain - only peace. And sunlight and flowers. Her body finally relaxed enough for him to pick her up off the bed, carrying her slowly out of the room and down the stairs of the mansion. Eyes followed them as he walked in silence, his face set in a tormented frown while he cradled the vampire closely in his arms.
Her lips formed a smile as the vision played on behind her closed eyelids. In there, they talked about the mountains, and how pure the air tasted at the top of them. How the world would fade out below the apex, making it look as grand and magnificent as ever. And how trekking to it made your body ache and heart beat violently in your chest. How the view far exceeded the expectations from the climb... And how everything, for a single moment, felt like heaven.
The next time she started to come to again, she felt disoriented and sensed a migraine coming. Her eyes noticed different things surrounding her, one by one. She was outside, sitting up against a wall. Her legs were stiff in front of her, and her upper body felt sore and heavy.
"Please..." she croaked out, her throat scratchy and dry. "Please, don't..." she coughed weakly.
It took a long moment before she remembered what had happened. Her plan… Klaus biting her…
She tried to gather some strength to get off the ground and look for someone but couldn't get her body to listen to her. When she pushed to stand up, her legs and arms gave out and she fell down again. Eventually, she noticed a shadow by her side, someone standing in front of her.
Her eyelids became far too heavy to keep open, and she couldn't focus on who it was. But soon a pair of arms picked her up and threw her over a shoulder. A hand against her lower back and another holding onto the back of her knees as air brushed and blew past her.
She realized they were running. She and whoever had picked her up. And shortly she was happy that someone had come after all. But this time she didn't see the mountains or the field. The peaceful bliss had vanished, and Klaus was no longer there.
Instead, all she felt was the wind passing by her, sharp and painful against her skin. All she heard were strange and muffled sounds, not making any sense to her own mind as she tried to follow them. And immediately after that, she was swallowed by the darkness again.
Present day
The Other Side
The fog was lifting again. She could feel it in the air, a coldness sweeping past her and drawing trails of goosebumps over her arms. Perhaps she would be able to get through to them this time, perhaps she could gather enough strength…
Closing her eyes, she whispered the chant again. The same chant she had murmured to herself every day since that night. Every time the fog began to lift, there was a moment where she could reach past the border. When her body felt lighter and her mind freer, as she escaped her shackles and was absorbed by the magic of the veil.
In that short moment, she was dead again. And he couldn't anchor her to the world anymore.
She opened her eyes as she finished the chant, looking out over the dark horizon in an attempt to find her. Where is she? She thought to herself as the usual place turned out empty. It was the first time that she had moved like this, not physically but mentally. As if she had disappeared far, far away from her own body.
Choosing to adjust her target, she focused on him instead. His dark hair and equally dark eyes, the tilted grin and charming accent. She found him almost right away, his brows were furrowed, and his lips set in a pout. He hadn't been sleeping, and she could tell.
A voice called to him just before a tall, blonde woman joined his side. She could tell the girl was a witch but felt unsure of the strange aura that covered her magic. It looked like something ancient and dark… And it made her try to keep her distance, for now.
The woman told him something before beckoning for him to enter another room. She made sure to follow them, wondering if the woman's magic could be perceptive to her message. Or rather, desperately hoping. Because now would be the time for it.
"Hear me. Hear me. Hear me." she pleaded as she studied the blonde closely. "I need help. Please, hear me."
The witch stiffened, seemingly sensing her presence as she fought to focus on the stranger. "Hear me." she murmured again. "My name is Bonnie Bennett and I need help."
If she was given any further reaction, she couldn't see it. The fog began to rise again, her chest felt warm, and her fingers tingled. Quickly, she was expelled from the vision and the veil closed up before her. Shutting her out as she was forced back into her frozen body.
How long had it been now? she wondered shortly. Possibly a week… or two?
The voices returned from the shadows, informing her that she was stuck again. Imprisoned and alone. A dreadful shiver coursed down her spine as she felt him near her. A constant that was somehow both comforting and unnerving at the same time.
Because he was always there. Always watching her. Always guarding. And continuously keeping her from waking up.
Present day
New Orleans, Louisiana
Despite the fact that she had been asleep for so long, Caroline felt absolutely exhausted. Deflated. Like she had been to the gym and tired herself out beyond her physical limitations. Her body felt numb, but her bones hurt. Her skin was hot, but she shivered from a mysterious cold. The thought occurred to her that perhaps she had been beaten down and torn apart or thrown around and pounded on…
After a while she managed to open her eyes and took a few seconds to try and identify her surroundings. She was lying in a bed, her clothes were ripped and bloody, and her body seemed intact… So, where was the blood coming from? Was it someone else's? That's when she remembered what had happened, nearly jumping up in chock as she realized where she was. Lucien's bedroom.
First, she was happily surprised that her plan had actually worked. But she was quickly unamused when she realized that it meant Lucien was there. And that she had a role to play… One which she would need to work hard to keep up.
Her hands massaged her sore shoulders and neck, faint signs of the bites remaining on her body. Making it easy for her to pinpoint exactly where they had been. As if she had gained deep scars from them.
"Good evening, Alice." Lucien suddenly entered the room with a tray in his hands and a grin on his lips.
She stared at him as he put the tray down in her lap and lifted the lid off a plate to reveal a bag of heated blood. Caroline didn't need to fake her eagerness to dig into it, she could barely keep herself from ripping the bag apart as she opened the top and quickly started drinking from it.
Her dry and sore veins reacted to the blood as if it was medicine, it softened her aching muscles and smoothed over her skin. When she finished the bag, she looked up to find Lucien having taken a seat next to her on the bed and studying his guest intently. "Thank you." she croaked out.
He nodded at her then. "Let me know if you need some more."
"Where am I?" she asked instead, looking around the room in feigned confusion. Trying not to make it obvious how she searched for the secret lock that opened the secret room full of secret objects…
"Do you remember what happened to you?" he asked her, making her close her eyes for a moment as she tried to remember what her cover-story was supposed to be.
"I was walking, and these men stopped me and started bothering me." she said. "They attacked me, and I tried to fight back and…" Her hand flew up to her neck as she stared down at herself in fright. "I could've sworn…"
"What, dear?" he asked her, his eyes curious as she pretended to try and put the puzzle pieces together.
"They were werewolves." she breathed out sharply. "They bit me."
"Luckily for you, I heard the whole ordeal and swooped in to save you just in time." he said with a joyful smile.
She shook her head in disbelief, again no need to fake that. Remembering suddenly what he'd told her when he entered the room. "Wait… Did you say evening?"
"Yes, I'm afraid you've been asleep for… Well, it's close to thirty hours now."
Blinking in shock, she stared at him with her mouth opening and closing. Unable to form any words. Finally, she looked down at her arms again and was reminded of the next strange thing about the whole ordeal. "Why am I not healing properly?"
"I didn't manage to feed you any blood until now." he told her, walking up to her bed and picking up the tray. "I'll let you rest some more before we start." he determined as he saw her genuinely confused look.
"Start what?" she asked.
"Getting to know each other." he grinned and exited the room.
She tried to keep her breathing steady, searching for her cell phone and gulping hard when she couldn't find it anywhere. Her eyes caught on her purse in the corner of the room, and she struggled out of bed to reach for it. Slowly, she made her way to sit on the floor and searched inside. She didn't find it there and realized that Lucien must have taken it.
As she pushed the bag away and carefully got back up on her feet, she noticed something else was missing... Her daylight-ring. It was an unpleasant surprise, even if she probably should've assumed that he would take it from her. Perhaps in order to gain some leverage or keep an eye on her… And it only proved that she would need to work hard to gain his trust after all.
The most frustrating part was that her plan had worked, she managed to get inside his home, and she could even start turning him to her side… And despite all of that, she couldn't help but wish that she was back at the mansion instead. With Klaus.
Her lips burned at the thought as she was reminded of their fever-kiss, how her head had spun like crazy due to it… It was possible that it had only been a hallucination, brought on by the venom from his bite. But the tingling on her skin felt too real, too strong, for it to have only been in her imagination. She caught her flushed face in the mirror and shied away from her reflection, feeling her stomach churn with worry and unease. Realizing she probably shouldn't have done that. She shouldn't have pushed him so far… She shouldn't have kissed him. But she had, and her having been swept up in the moment was just not enough of an excuse for it.
She brushed her fingers through her hair and took a deep breath, gathering courage and steeling herself for what awaited her now. It was time to start the charade, and she was less than excited about it. Deciding to get it all over with, she took another strengthening breath and went to join Lucien in the living area.
He was busy on the phone, walking around and moving some bags and suitcases into the room. He gave her a wave as he noticed her presence and nodded to a sofa for her to sit in. Carefully she moved to follow his request as her body continued to protest her wishes.
Apparently, the cure wasn't quite as effective as Klaus' blood. Good to know.
Lucien hung up the phone then and dropped it on a table next to him. "Gone a few days and the voicemail is already filled with frustrating messages." he whined and picked up a whiskey glass with what seemed to be blood in it. "Does that ever happen to you, Alice?" he asked as he took a sip and sat down in a chaise opposite her.
"In my experience, that's what happens when you have people who care about you. And who are waiting for you to come back home." she thought aloud as she rubbed her shoulder, wondering if Klaus was trying to reach her as well.
His dark eyes studied her closely, making her more and more anxious by the minute. "Are you still feeling sore, dear?"
She nodded at that. "Yeah. A little. It's weird, but I guess that's what happens when you fight with werewolves…" she murmured in an attempt at humor.
He hummed in reply, turning and spinning his glass absentmindedly. "How much knowledge do you have of them?"
"Not much." she lied, shaking her head slightly. "I didn't even know they existed until, I think, a year ago."
"And you are certain these men were werewolves, nothing else?" he asked, something in his eyes made it clear to her that he was testing his new houseguest.
She shrugged her shoulders. "Well, yeah. I mean, what else would they be?" she muttered and nodded towards him. "You were there, did you get a good look at them?"
He smiled, showing his satisfaction with her answer. "You are probably right. What else would they be?"
"Um, can I ask you something?" she said as he got up to put his glass away.
"Go ahead, love."
The last word gave her a strong shudder, making her sigh with relief as he had turned his back to her. "Did you take my daylight ring?"
"Ah, yes." he replied and returned with another blood bag in his hand, throwing it to her.
She caught in and looked at him with furrowed eyebrows. "Why?"
He grinned at her shortly before nodding. "I decided to keep it close." he shrugged and leaned back in his seat, gesturing towards her with his hand before explaining himself further. "In case you would start… showing symptoms."
"Symptoms?" she echoed as her hand moved to the faded scar on her arm by reflex. Looking down at the skin and realizing she needed to address the obvious marks on her body. "I was bitten."
"Yes." he told her with a shrug. "Several times actually."
"But how…" she sighed and shook her head. "How am I still alive?"
His eyes showed something alarming in them as he pouted shortly. It left her biting the inside of her cheek as she waited for him to tell her what she already knew. "Truth is, Caroline…" he began, the change in his use of that upsetting nickname of his not bringing her much hope. "Under ordinary circumstances, a werewolf bite is lethal to a vampire. However, your case was anything but ordinary."
"What do you mean?"
He got up and crossed the room then, grabbing a suitcase and opening it up as he spoke on. "If anyone else had found you the other night, you would surely have succumbed to the venom by now." he continued as he picked something up and turned towards her. Holding the familiar vial between his thumb and index finger. "This is the reason for your recovery."
"What is it?" she stammered out, fidgeting with her hands as she tried to keep him from seeing through her poker face.
"It is the cure for a werewolf's bite. The only one of its kind. Without it, you would be dead."
She found his phrasing strange, considering the fact that there was an entirely different cure out there in the world as well. The source of which lived in a manor down by the French Quarter. "So, you gave it to me?" she asked, hoping her voice didn't give anything away as she spoke. "You cured me?"
"I did." he nodded before storing the vial away again. Locking the briefcase and moving to join her on the sofa.
"But why?"
He chuckled shortly at that, shaking his head as he gazed away from her before responding. "I suppose I was feeling generous." he told her with a sad look in his eye.
Deciding not to push his motive further, she gave him a short smile and laid a hand over his knee. "Thank you." she whispered. "Really."
His face softened at her words as his eyes fell on her hand. She was just about to pull it back from him when he gripped her wrist and kept her in place. He turned her arm over slowly, his other hand brushing over the scar left there. She gulped as she tried hard not to flinch at his touch, watching him silently instead as she waited for his next move. He traced a finger across the dents on her skin made from Klaus' teeth, the gesture filling her with guilt for some reason. Like he was stepping over some boundary, breaking some rule... Violating something. But she didn't really know what. All she knew was that she absolutely hated having him touch the scar on her arm, and she wanted him to stop.
"Why isn't it healed yet?" she asked, choosing to try and change his focus.
"I'm not entirely sure, dear." he told her with a shrug, sighing as he finally let go of her then. "The elixir is a fairly new invention. It's possible that the reaction varies, depending on the recipient."
"You made this cure yourself?"
He cleared his throat at that, and swiftly got up from his seat. "I had some help." he told her cryptically before taking a blood bag from the side table and holding it out to her. "Why don't you rest, Alice? Maybe it will accelerate the healing process."
She nodded at that, accepting the blood as she tried hard not to stroke her arm, as if wanting to brush off the feeling of him. "Do you mind if I take a shower?" she asked carefully as he headed for the kitchen area.
"Of course not, love!" he called out to her, turning her stomach at the endearment. "There are towels in the armoire, and you can borrow a change of clothes from the closet."
"Thank you." she called back before hurrying to escape his presence, closing the bedroom door behind her, and leaning towards it as she breathed out deeply.
You can do this. You are Caroline Forbes. Come on, you basically invented the blonde-distraction act! You have gone head-to-head with Original vampires, hybrids, travelers and even Silas. You totally got this!
Her pep-talk wasn't as efficient as she had hoped, and she slumped down to the floor with her arms wrapped around her knees. Wishing silently that she hadn't insisted on this stupid plan in the first place. And resenting Klaus a little for letting her go through with it... She grunted in frustration, knowing she had no one else to blame but herself. Fidgeting with her hands slightly, her eyes went to the blood bag that she was apparently still holding. Feeling baffled by how she had managed to forget about it.
Two bags in one day felt like an overindulgence and she decided to put it away for now. Standing up and leaving it on top of the dresser before turning to find some towels. She managed to find a pair of sweatpants and a shirt that wouldn't look all too big on her and put them on the bed. As she turned towards the bathroom, she walked past the dresser and her eye caught the bag of blood shortly. It affected her more than she had expected. Her breathing quickened and her hands shook as she suddenly couldn't think about anything else. In the moment, she didn't care about anything but emptying that bag. Right now.
Her hands ripped into it quickly as she all but inhaled the blood, finishing it off so fast that she found herself scouring the room for more. As she looked back over at the bed, she located a mini fridge underneath the nightstand. She was on her knees and digging into the contents within second. Dropping the empty bag in her hands and immediately moving onto the next one without missing a single beat.
One after one, she sucked them all dry.
When she crumbled up the last bag and threw it away, she took a long breath and felt her face itch with her vampire features. Licking some residue blood off her fingers, she stood up and caught her reflection in the mirror. Standing frozen at the view as she couldn't recognize herself. Not only had her face turned, but it refused to turn back. And along with the red liquid dripping from her lips and smudging her cheeks... She really did look like a monster. And it quickly brought her back to another time when she had seen the same look in her eyes before. The last time she had been bitten.
Gulping hard, she shook her head and stared down at her arm again. The scar was still there, albeit still somewhat faded. Yet, she had to convince herself that she was in fact cured. That she wasn't dying. That she was fine. Totally fine...
Because, shortly, she didn't feel like any of that was true.
The tickling of leaves and grass against his cheek woke him up. It caused him to let out a long breath before stretching his limbs out over the forest floor. There was a pleasant soreness throughout his body, and it brought a warm smile on his face. He listened to the soft sounds of the wind passing through the treetops and reached for the woman by his side, as he suddenly needed to pull her closer and hold her tight. Instead, he felt his smile falter as he only found more leaves in her place.
Opening his eyes then, he squinted against the harsh sunlight and glanced over his surroundings. Where is she?
He felt an excited flutter in his chest as he stood up to try and spot her. "Where did you go, love?" he called out, the playfulness clear in his tone as he thought of her hiding somewhere – waiting for him to come find her.
Just like he always would. Forever.
When no answer came, he only chuckled with amusement and shook his head as he began his search. "Come on, sweetheart. At least give me a hint!"
His voice only echoed through the empty forest, the silence around him growing eerie and strange. But just as he was about to call her name, he noticed a shadow pass by some bushes. The smile returned to his face then as he hurried to catch his running beauty. Flashing past the trees and following the sounds of a light, fluttery giggle from afar.
He stopped by a clearing with large rocks, turning slowly to try and determine which way to head next. "You know I won't leave until I find you." he told her, waiting to hear her laughter in response. "And I will find you. However long it takes."
He saw the blonde hair glowing in the distance and grinned before sprinting towards it. Reaching a deep part of the woods, the sun seemingly fading and his surroundings growing dark. But it didn't matter, because there she was. Her beautiful blue eyes twinkled as she wore a brilliant smile on her fair face.
"I told you I would find you." he crooned as he moved towards her slowly. Her face turned strange as he spoke, the smile disappearing and being replaced by a strained frown. "What's wrong, love?" he asked, reaching out to touch her arm just as she jerked away and glared at him.
"You did this." she said, her voice flat and hoarse and filled with anger.
"Did what?" he stammered with wide eyes.
She looked down at her hands as they pressed against her chest, drawing his attention to it then as blood seeped past her fingers and down her arms. His body froze in horror as he watched her slowly move her hands away and reveal a gaping hole where her heart would be. He rushed towards her as she suddenly slumped down to the ground, her eyes rolling back in her head and her skin turning gray.
"No." he breathed out as he held her body in his arms, trying to hold her intact with the sheer force of his will. "No, no…"
"You did this, Klaus." she whispered to him, her words breaking something deep inside of him. "You ruined me. Just like you ruined her."
Shaking his head violently, he looked over her face and stroked her cheek. "No, no, I would never do this to you." he promised as his eyes stung with tears and his hands began to tremble. Her cold skin became covered with veins as she desiccated before him. Her face set into the accusatory scowl and hard eyes that tore him apart inside. "No!" he yelled out as she became heavy in his hold.
"No, no. I didn't. I swear!" he bellowed in agony as he tried to shake her awake. "Caroline." he whispered, his voice breaking at the sound of her name as she remained lifeless and gray. "Caroline… Caroline!"
Caroline.
The sharp cry that escaped him as he sat up in his bed was most likely loud enough to wake the entire neighborhood. He panted heavily and ran a hand over his sweat-covered forehead as the hollow despair still echoed inside his chest. His body ached as the horrible words echoed in his ears…
"You ruined me. Just like you ruined her."
He rushed up and hurried to his studio, immediately reaching for the hidden drawer behind one of the wooden panels in the furthest wall. It took only a second for him to grab onto the leather sketchpad and the set of coal crayons inside. Flipping through the different pages filled with shadowed motives, hasty sketches and dark faces until he found an empty one.
He sat on the floor as his fingers went to work, quickly sweeping across the paper as he extracted the haunting image from his mind. Soon, he saw her displayed before him again, her skin pale and covered in veins and blood as her eyes glared up at him from the drawing. The look in them dark enough to steal one's soul. His breathing started to slow down as he studied it, brushing a finger over her features as he tried to figure out what he had done to deserve the dreadful expression.
"You ruined me. Just like you ruined her."
Her voice rang in his ears again, causing him to shut his eyes and grit his teeth as he felt his entire body hurt at that. His hands moved on their own accord as he looked down at the pad again, flipping quickly until finding a different nightmare. Her face was still and relaxed, it looked like she was sleeping. Except for the line of blood across her slashed throat. It spoke the gruesome truth. Bringing him shortly back to that horrid night when he'd woken up to find Camille dead beside him. It had been so long since he last thought of it, but now the memory was as clear in his head as ever.
"Just like you ruined her."
The words vibrated through him and turned his blood cold as he pieced the dream together then. Covering his face with his hands as he tried to push the images out of his head. Finding her voice etched to his mind as she lied dead on the forest floor.
"You ruined me. Just like you ruined her."
After a relaxing shower and a short nap, Caroline went to join Lucien in the kitchen. Her hair was still damp, so she dried it quickly with a towel.
"I hope you feel better, Alice." he grinned at her as she put the towel away and leaned against the kitchen island to study him. "Dinner will be served soon."
She recognized what he was making as Louisianan étouffée. "I've always wanted to try this." she said honestly as he directed her to peel the crawfish and shrimp.
"It is one of my favorite dishes." he crooned, smiling as he stirred the base sauce and checked on the boiling rice.
"So, this is what old, British vampires like you do? Cook?"
He chuckled and shook his head in amusement. "Every now and then I come across some free time on my hands, why not use that to learn a new recipe?"
"You have a point there." she snickered softly and hummed as she tasted one of the crawfish tails in the bowl in front of her.
"May I ask something, Alice?" he said, making her nod shortly. "Why were you investigating those murders?"
"Oh…" she drawled before clearing her throat. "Well… Because I think the person who killed those people is someone with connections to a man who's been after me and my friends for the last five, six years." she explained. "He took someone close to me and I was hoping they would help me find out where he's keeping her."
He nodded at that. "What's this man's name?"
She studied him for a long moment and suspected this was his way of admitting to being the person she'd been looking for. While at the same time feigning innocence to the murders in question. "Um… Julian." she replied honestly. "I don't know his last name… Just that he's about four or five hundred years old and that he used to run with a family of witches."
Lucien nodded again before he took the bowl of peeled crawfish and shrimp and added it to the sauce. "Would you open that bottle of wine for us, dear?" he chimed then and pointed to the kitchen island.
She noted the change of subject but decided to play ball for now, pouring the red wine and smelling it lightly. "It's... different."
"Taste it." he told her, making her question his motives shortly. If it was a test on his part, she refused to fail it.
Bringing the glass of wine to her lips, she inhaled the scent deeply before taking a large sip. She pouted slightly and stared at her glass, surprised and confused by the added accent to the rich taste. "Blood?" she asked and looked at Lucien with raised eyebrows.
"Yes." he beamed. "Have you had it before?"
"Not really." she confessed before taking another sip. Closing her eyes as she relished in the mixed notes of oak, cedar, red fruits… Finding that the blood actually worked really well with this particular wine. "If you're not careful I might just end up keeping the rest of the bottle for myself." she half-joked.
He chuckled and shook his head in response. "That's alright. This is all part of my plan to win you over, Alice." he teased and winked at her before taking a sip from his glass.
She bit her lip and shrugged shortly. "Well, the food smells delicious. So, I'd say you're doing a great job so far."
The answer seemed to please him greatly, as he smirked and nodded towards her. "Help me serve this up then, hm?" he asked as he handed her a couple of plates and cutlery.
"Of course." she smiled before turning to prepare the table in the dining room.
He came in and filled their plates before sitting down with his wine in hand. "Go on, I'm dying to hear what you think." he urged her as soon as she grabbed a chair.
She nodded at that, not at all disagreeing with the incredible plate of food before her. Mouth even watering at the sight as she eagerly sampled it. The rice was well cooked, not too watery or mashed. The seafood was seasoned to perfection and tickled all the senses. "Mm, perfect amount of heat." she noted and nodded in delight.
"I'm glad." he crooned. "Oh, before I forget. This is for you." he pushed a little paper bag over to her with a grin before turning to his plate.
Opening it, she spotted a velvet box along with her cellphone. However, it was the box's content that eased her mind the most. "My ring." she breathed out in relief.
"I had it polished up for you."
"Thank you." she smiled softly as she put it on, feeling much better now that she had it back. She checked her phone quickly but unsurprisingly it was out of battery. Deciding to deal with that later, she turned towards him again. "Thank you for everything."
"Of course, Alice. What else are friends for?" he chimed and sipped his wine. His eyes studying her carefully across the table.
"What?" she giggled as she noticed his glance.
"Nothing, dear." he smirked. "I'm just glad I found you before it was too late."
Her smile faded away and a frown formed on her lips. "Yeah." she murmured and lifted her glass to her lips. "Me too."
"Do you have anywhere to rest until you feel fully recovered?"
"Yeah, I'm staying at this place near Frenchmen Street."
He nodded and gave her another smirk. "How long were you planning to stay in New Orleans?"
"Not much longer, my work needs me back in a week or so. Why?"
"I was wondering if you would you consider staying here."
The words made her hand freeze in the air, the fork halfway to her lips. "What?"
"Seeing as you still happen to be experiencing some discomfort… I thought it may be best if you had supervision during the next few days."
"Oh, that's really not necessary…"
"It's no bother, dear." he interjected with a smile. "I wouldn't mind having some company. The least of all such a pleasant one as that of yours."
She tried to think of a fast reply that would get him to drop the subject, but it was clear that he had made up his mind. And changing it would not be an easy task. So, she settled on a compromise instead. "What about this?" she began as she straightened up and looked him over with a determined face. "Tonight, I stay at my hotel, get some rest and change into some clothes of my own… And tomorrow we have dinner and drinks together to catch up."
He pouted shortly, tilting his head to the side as he seemed to think it over. "Counteroffer; you return in the morning for brunch. Say, at eleven?" he chimed. "And perhaps you could help me with a small errand afterwards, it won't take much time."
"What kind of errand?" she asked with narrowed eyes.
"I would like to bring attention to your accident the other night." he said nonchalantly. "I have been meaning to discuss the issue of our werewolf population for some time now. And I believe this makes for the perfect opportunity."
"You have a problem with werewolves or something?" she pressed with a scoff. "I thought this city was built on the symbiosis between the different supernatural groups or whatever."
The flashing of surprise on his face made her realize that she may have said too much. That glimpse of her real self for him to see, suddenly a bit too revealing. "Trust me, my dearest Alice." he purred as he leaned forward with a dark grin. "I have my reasons for all I do."
Three years ago
New Orleans, Louisiana
Davina was wakened by the knocking on her front door, her head shot up from the pile of books that had acted as her temporary pillow. She straightened out her rumpled clothes shortly, before deciding it was futile and gave up. Kicking over some journals and notepads off the sofa, she got up and hurried to answer the door. Letting out a tired smile when she was met with her guest.
"Morning, Marcel." she murmured with a raspy voice, her eyes stinging slightly from her lack of sleep the past few weeks. Or years.
"It's four in the afternoon, D." he pointed out as he took her in slowly.
She sighed and pushed off the doorframe then, letting him inside as she walked towards the kitchen. Her mind fully set on filling up on caffeine as her friend glanced around.
"It's been two months." he pointed out as she prepared the pot. "How do you still not have a bed?"
"The couch is more practical."
He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the kitchen counter. "Well, I wanted to check on you before-"
"Before you leave, again. I know the drill." she muttered before glancing back at his frown with guilt tugging at her heartstrings. "You always do this, Marcel. You say you're going to stick around, but then you find some super-important reason to leave and disappear for another month or two."
He winced shortly before he looked her over with a shrug. "While on the subject of not doing what we said we'd do..." he began with a shaking head. "This was supposed to be your fresh start, Davina. Moving out of the Quarter, taking classes at Tulane..."
She grabbed a mug and put it down on the counter with a sigh. "What's your point?" she asked but froze up when he grabbed her elbow and forced her to meet his serious eyes.
"Josh tells me you barely ever go outside, you're constantly buried in spell-books and journals instead of the assigned course literature... And now you're apparently planning to go see some coven in Scotland?"
"They are known for keeping close connections with the dead. Something about a magical crystal." she explained shortly before pouring the coffee and sipping on it. "Why? You wanna come with?"
"Davina. We had a deal."
"Don't tell me you're gonna go with the whole 'as long as you live under my roof' bit." she snickered back.
"Well... I did pay for it." he shrugged, earning a roll of her eyes. "I'm just worried about you."
"I'm fine."
"Are you?"
She looked down into her mug with a frown, not really sure of the answer. It had been nearly three years and she had still not managed to keep her promise of bringing Kol Mikaelson back from the dead. And it just got more and more hopeless and difficult and heartbreaking with every passing day.
Marcel watched her as she remained silent before squeezing her shoulder. "I have an idea. Maybe you need a side project. You know, something to get your mind off things."
"I don't think so." she scoffed out.
"Hear me out. I know Freya is running on fumes and have no leads left to chase by now. Maybe you could help each other?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, if she manages to find Aya and finally stop this whole prophecy threat once and for all, she'll be free to focus on helping you with Kol."
She mulled it over shortly, feeling hesitant of turning to the Original family. Especially since they all seemed to have turned their backs on their brother ages ago. She had in turn given up on expecting any kind of help from them on the matter. But maybe that could change?
"Fine." she told him finally, catching his relieved sigh before speaking again. "But if Freya refuses to help bring Kol back, I'm out. I don't owe that family anything and I refuse to be used by them over and over again."
"You're right." he agrees grimly with a nod. "You don't owe them anything. But that isn't enough of a reason to refuse help to someone in need."
She scoffed at that and shook her head, hating him for knowing her so well. For being an expert on changing her mind... "I'll help her." she concluded softly then, earning a smile from him. "No strings attached."
The young hybrid found Lucien at the same construction site which he had spent all week at. He was ordering the crew around when he noticed her and flashed that creepy grin her way. "Good morning, Hayley." he crooned cheekily before picking up a tablet and looking over some documents on it.
She decided to get to her point right away, not at all appreciating the easy attitude of the man currently tearing his way through the Bayou. "What's this I'm hearing about you going forward with the demolition plans?"
"Well, there happens to be loads of profitable opportunities on the land." he shrugged. "I would be a fool not to invest in it before anyone else does."
"I thought I told you to put this to rest." she pointed out firmly, glaring at him until he finally met her eyes.
He sighed before shrugging again. "I decided to pick it back up."
"You know that land is the only safe haven for my werewolves during the full moon."
"I thought they were all gifted with your little self-control trick now?" he snickered nonchalantly. "What does it matter to them what happens with their little changing spot if the needn't change anymore?"
"The new additions don't have access to the same powers yet, Lucien." she interjected. "The pack is growing, and you are getting in the way."
"I am creating over ten million dollars' worth of real estate, sweetheart. If anything, I am solving the housing crisis and creating hundreds of jobs." he sighed before giving her a determined nod. "Surely, your wolves can appreciate the various new options for a roof over their heads. Or you know, tarp."
Her hand found his throat on pure instinct and gripped it tight. "I don't know what your problem is with the pack and frankly, I don't care. Just stay away from the Bayou or I will bury you under those pretty little condos you're so eager to build."
He grinned at her and wrapped his hand around her wrist, carefully pushing her away. "Don't embarrass yourself, dear. You may be half wolf, but you are still a half-breed. And therefore, no threat to me."
She smiled back shortly before snapping his neck in a swift move, sighing with relief as his body hit the ground by her feet. "Much better." she crooned to herself.
"You were supposed to have a civilized and proper discussion with him." a voice snickered behind her, turning her face into a bright grin as she spun around to face him.
Elijah Mikaelson, looking as polished and flawless as ever. He was dressed in his usual attire, an expensive dark suit to match his sculpted features. His hand in his pocket and a tiny smile on his lips.
Her stomach always flipping at the sight, she felt an added reaction to him now that they had been apart for so long. "Yeah?" she teased, crossing her arms over her chest as she walked towards him slowly. "You mean that wasn't civilized? I thought for sure that I showed the appropriate level of restraint."
He smirked at her as he stepped forward and reached for her face, stroking her cheek softly as his dark eyes took her in. His touch sent tiny shivers across her skin and made her lean closer into him. "My brother proves to be a terrible influence on you." he teased as she chuckled shortly.
"Well, that's what happens when you leave for months at a time." she pointed out as she looked up at him with a daring grin. "My only other source for socializing is a toddler whose current phase is one where she does the exact opposite to whatever I tell her."
"I suppose I will need to bring you along next time then." he shrugged. "Leave Niklaus to care for that little hellraiser of yours on his own."
"Or…" she drawled before standing on her toes and holding onto his collar. Leaning in and kissing him deeply. "We could take some time away on our own." she whispered against his lips.
"What do you suggest?" he murmured as he moved his hand to braid in her hair and keep her face tilted towards his. "A vacation?" he whispered before kissing her back and holding her close to his body, making her see stars when he pulled away. "Or honeymoon?"
She beamed up at him and wrapped her arms around her neck. "Elijah Mikaelson, is that a proposal?" she snickered and nipped at his lips playfully. "Didn't we have an agreement?"
"Ah, yes." he grimaced and raised a brow while nodding towards the unconscious vampire still on the ground. "And since you have already displayed the fashion in which you act towards a breaking of such…" he sighed and backed away from her then, shrugging as he created space between them. "I wouldn't dare attempt to challenge your restraint."
Shaking her head in disbelief, she bit back a chuckle and pressed her hands to her hips. "I never pegged you for a coward."
He chuckled at that and winked over at her. "Rather a conscious coward than a spineless corpse." he retorted, turning away from her then.
She lunged forward and spun him, jumping into his arms and circling her legs around his waist. "I missed you." she said softly as he moved them towards a nearby tree, pressing her against it while his eyes raked over her face.
"Does that mean you will consider my proposal?" he crooned, earning a deep sigh and groan from her as she tilted her head back in frustration.
"Fine, I accept your terms." she responded then, smiling to herself as his lips moved across her jaw. "But I expect a renegotiation at your earliest convenience."
"Excellent." he concluded before leaning down and kissing her vigorously. She responded to his lips and raked her fingers through his hair, grinning inwardly as she imagined him becoming beautifully disheveled in result.
A throat clearing nearby caused them to break apart. They turned to the source of the noise as he carefully dropped her on her feet again but kept his arms around her waist. She groaned silently as she met Klaus' mocking smirk. "What will Freya think of this being the reason for your tardiness, brother?" he asked while crossing his arms over his chest.
"Certain things are simply worth our sister's wrath." he shrugged before leaving a soft kiss on Hayley's head and taking her hand in his.
"Does this mean you've popped the question, then?" the hybrid teased on, earning an eyeroll from her.
"You really need to get a life, Klaus. Instead of living vicariously through others." she snickered as they walked together towards him, Elijah subtlety fixing his ruffled hair with his free hand as she smiled at him softly.
"Why the aggression, little wolf? I simply aim to share in your joyous pre-wedding bliss." the Original hybrid retorted with a wink. "Now, let's go before our sister decides to punish us all for missing supper."
She shook her head as he turned to walk ahead of them, her lips returning to a grin as Elijah raised her hand and kissed it tenderly. "Oh, and just so you know…" she drawled cheekily. "I may not care about the ring, the wedding or the rest of it. But I definitely will hold you to your promise of a honeymoon."
He smiled at her and chuckled softly. "Anything for you, beautiful." he promised as they left for the manor with equally glowing smirks on their faces.
Present day
New Orleans, Louisiana
Several bottles of wine later – and meaningless conversations in attempts to get Lucien on her side – Caroline finally managed to slip out and leave for her hotel. Her head somewhat dizzy, having attempted to fake her drinking with the goal of keeping her poker face intact. But she had discovered that Lucien wasn't very easily fooled, and as it turns out, he was quite persuasive when he wanted to be too.
He had shared stories of his travels over the years, she in turn told him of her job in Chicago and the different celebrities she had met during the different shows. But when she succeeded to convince him that she needed her rest, and solitude, the weight of it all began to hit her hard. And all she wanted was to close her eyes, wrap herself in her duvet and just be. No more charades, lies, poker faces, pageant smiles…
She reached her hotel in about twenty minutes and rushed up to her room, impatient to finally let her walls down. Closing her eyes and whispering a 'thank god' to herself as she unlocked her door. As soon as she entered the room, strong arms quickly wrapped around her in the blink of an eye. Pushing her against the door and closing it shut. She gasped at the sudden movement, the room spinning slightly due to the amount of wine she'd had throughout the night.
Then her eyes focused on her 'attacker' and her heart fluttered wildly in her chest at the sight. He was gorgeous even in the dark, his green eyes studying her intently with his full lips parted. His scent and warmth so comforting and exciting at the same time.
"Hi." she whispered and held his face in her hands, brushing her nails over his stubble and pressing her thumbs against the small dents on his cheeks where his dimples would be.
He exhaled deeply and closed his eyes for a moment while resting his forehead against hers. "Hello, love." he murmured softly with a genuine smile, bringing out the dimples then.
She felt the intense urge to just hold onto him tightly and never let go, but the thought was quickly squashed as she started feeling weird about their intimate proximity. Clearing her throat as she carefully slipped out of his embrace. "I-I didn't expect to find you here."
"Nor I you." he replied, his eyes glancing over the distance she had abruptly put between them.
She raised her eyebrows at that. "Then what exactly are you doing here in the middle of the night?"
He smirked and shook his head slightly before looking back up at her. "I missed you."
The words, the tone and that stupidly sweet look on his face was starting to tear her apart. She snickered and ran a hand through her hair. "And uhm… How did you get in?"
"The balcony." he replied with a shrug, looking as innocent as could be.
She sighed and glanced over her shoulder to look at the glass doors across the room. They stood ajar, letting the wind sneak its way inside, but it seemed highly unlikely that she had left them that way. She decided not to call him out on the lie, because truth be told she was glad to find him there.
Turning to him again, she saw him nearing her carefully. His gaze seemingly scanning her for injuries, and his frown telling her that he found the scars she had hoped to cover up. "You haven't healed yet." he stated with sadness in his voice, making her sigh again as he closed the distance between them and brushed her hair back. Revealing more paled bruises, his fingers traveled over her neck and examined them slowly.
"Yeah, I think Lucien's cure comes with some side-effects... The scars are one thing, but I'm also really tired. And hungry. I had like ten blood-bags and I still want to rip someone apart." she explained quietly. "I guess I'm not doing as well as I had thought." she added with a sigh, regretting her words when she saw his painful expression. "Don't look at me like that, Klaus." she pleaded.
He held onto the back of her head and pushed her forehead against his, closing his eyes as he breathed deeply. "Please, do not ever ask me to do that again." he whispered hoarsely.
"Bite me?" she guessed as she looked up into his sad eyes.
"Leave you hurt and alone." he corrected.
She swallowed hard and nodded lightly, feeling like it was something she could surely get behind. His hand massaged her neck as she took a deep breath, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the silence between them. Finally feeling relaxed, and safe.
"Does he expect you back?" he asked under his breath, seeming just as afraid of breaking the moment as she was.
"Tomorrow." she replied with a short nod, frowning as she found herself pulling away from him and crossing her arms over her chest. Reality becoming just too hard to ignore after all. "He wants me to help with something. I don't know what exactly, he was very vague about the details."
"I should let you sleep, then." he said with a short smile and glanced over at the door before nodding towards her again. "You will need your strength."
She chewed on her lower-lip as he begun to turn away, a panic rising in her chest and taking her over. "Klaus, wait." she called out, stopping him and causing him to look at her with a confused face. "Would… Uhm, would you stay?" she asked, fidgeting with her hands nervously as she heard how weak and pathetic she sounded.
"I mean you don't have to. You can go, I don't know what I was thinking." she stammered on with an anxious chuckle and shook her head. "I just… I don't really want to be alone right now."
Slowly meeting his gaze, worried of how he would react, she instead was surprised to see him smiling warmly at her. "Of course, I'll stay." he said, looking like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Seriously, you really don't have to..." she stuttered out but stopped when he reached for her hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
"Believe me, love, you would be doing me a favor. Not the other way around."
"You were really worried." she noted as she watched his tired face.
"More than you know." he sighed and stroked the back of her hand softly.
"Okay. I'm just going to change." she said and pulled out of his hold, turning to grab some clothes and head for the bathroom then. Quickly taking off the borrowed outfit from Lucien and putting on a pair of comfortable pajama bottoms and a tank top.
When she stepped out again, he was sitting on the side of the bed with an uncertain look on his face. "You okay?" she asked, earning a scoff from him as he shook his head incredulously.
"I am fine, Caroline. Don't even think to worry about me."
She pouted shortly before giving him a pointed nod, gesturing for him to scoot over. He lied down on the bed as she got in and pulled the duvet up over her shoulders. Covering him with it as well as she moved closer to his body, the warmth radiating off him calling her in. She shivered involuntarily and scooched even closer then, smiling when he opened his arms and wrapped them around her. Inviting her to lean on his chest and take in some of his heat.
"You're cold." he stated disapprovingly as he stroked her back and shoulders. Holding her tightly to him.
She nodded as she nestled into his side, her freezing nose pressed against his neck. "Yeah… I can't seem to keep warm."
"Perhaps another side-effect."
"Mm." she murmured as she leaned deeper into his neck, inhaling his scent with a content feeling in her chest. Her face warming up already as she closed her eyes and took a long breath. "Thank you for staying."
"My pleasure." he whispered against her hair as he massaged her scalp lightly. Eliciting a soft hum from her as she fiddled with his collar, feeling sleep slowly pulling at her mind.
"Hey, how is Enzo?" she muttered quietly, realizing he hadn't mentioned him yet.
"He's fine, love. He and Freya have been in contact with the French Quarter Coven. They're working on locating the candle, and with it, Bonnie Bennett."
She smiled at his words, wrapping her arm tighter around his torso and tucking her hand under his shirt. Wanting to absorb as much of him and the overwhelming sense of safety he gave her as absolutely possible. "Thank you." she whispered against his skin.
"For what?"
"Name your pick." she huffed lightly.
The feeling of his lips pressed to the top of her head made her smile again. "Goodnight, Klaus." she breathed out before a heavy sleep took her over. Barely hearing his voice as he mumbled back a 'goodnight' in return.
Three years ago
Shreveport, Louisiana
It was days like these that Camille O'Connell wished she was still human. The weather was unusually cool today, despite the humid season, and people were taking full advantage of it. Having picnics in parks and playing with their children outside... She remembered what it used to be like when the heat broke back home. It would be such a relief. And those days were usually her favorite, because that was when she could truly appreciate New Orleans. She would take a long run through Lafayette Park or spend the day in the botanical gardens studying. Sometimes she would grab a coffee and a bag of beignets and look out over the Mississippi from a nice rooftop cafe... But it just wasn't the same now that she was a vampire.
She sat in a sweet and charming little coffee shop within a bookstore, her eyes wandering to the 'help wanted' sign in the window as she fought hard to enjoy her cappuccino. But all her senses had changed since turning and the drink she used to be just short of addicted to, was now strange and bland to her instead. She could taste the beans in a different way now, the notes of acidity hitting her tongue in a less than good way. The foamed milk smelled of its bovine origins and upset her stomach. Even the added sugar or flavored syrup could do nothing to salvage the taste. Because drinking anything nowadays, only reminded her of what she wished she was having instead.
Blood.
It was still such a bizarre thing for her to get used to, the way she craved it so intently. It didn't matter what she was doing or how she was feeling. The hunger was always there, clawing at the back of her mind. And just like any other great summer's day, where the wind was refreshingly cool outside, she wished she could feel something other than that insatiable need scratching her throat.
She sensed Vincent's presence long before he appeared within her sight. Waving at her friendly as he walked over to her table. Being a witch, he had a certain energy around him, like a distinct light or smell that differed from others. And perhaps it was due to their close relationship, but she just always seemed to feel more at ease when she was with him. As if, for a moment, she wasn't craving the blood. She could feel human again. If only for just a few short minutes.
He leaned over to give her a peck on her cheek before taking a seat on the other side of the table. "Sorry, I'm late. I had to stretch my last session, it made me miss my bus." he explained with a sigh.
"It's fine." she told him with a smile. "I got you Earl Grey."
"You always know what I need." he grinned back with a happy exhale before picking up his mug. Holding it up to his face and breathing the aroma in, a content expression on as he closed his eyes shortly. "So, tell me. How was your day?" he asked with a warm smile.
"I found us a house."
"We already live in a house." he teased.
"We live in an apartment." she corrected. "I just think it would be nice to have some more space, you know?"
"Alright then, where is this house?"
She bit her lower lip shortly before answering. "Baton Rouge."
"Cami..." he sighed as she hurried to sell him on it before he could protest.
"It's got its own three-acre land right by this adorable lake that's known for its incredible crawfish. The house has three bedrooms and a fully upgraded kitchen..."
"Wow, you're really invested in this idea."
"Vincent, I feel like..." she sighed deeply before leaning forward in her chair and meeting him square in the eye. "We came here to get away, take a beat and figure out what we should do next. It was always supposed to be temporary, we just ended up staying for longer than expected."
"Funny, I was thinking that we came here to get a break before eventually returning to New Orleans."
"I'm not going back."
"Because of the Mikaelson's?" he asked with wide eyes, earning a long silence from her as she stared down her mug. Not ready to bring on that topic quite yet.
Thankfully, he leaned forward against his elbows and cleared his throat before changing the subject. "Marcel called today." he told her, making her sigh as she had hoped for the new topic to be less NOLA-centered. "He said you've been dodging him all week."
She shrugged at that. "Honestly? I was worried he would ask me to come back." she confessed, noticing a slight twitch on his face and grunting in realization. She had been right. "What does he want?"
"Apparently, Davina isn't doing too well lately. And I guess he was hoping the two of us would go visit for a while. Just to check in and talk to her."
"You mean psychoanalyze her?"
Vincent grimaced at that before nodding. "He sounded genuinely worried, Cami."
"Worried about what?" she drawled, hoping she wouldn't be right about the source of her friend's pain.
"Kol." he replied, confirming her thought yet again.
She chuckled slowly, leaning back in her chair with arms crossed over her chest. "Why don't we just get her to come to Baton Rouge with us and leave that whole mess behind?" she suggested, only half-joking.
"Wait, we never agreed on Baton Rouge yet." he chuckled back with a finger pointed towards her. "And don't change the subject."
"I thought Davina's wellbeing was the subject."
"You just think all problems can be solved by avoiding the root of them." he shrugged, sipping his drunk slowly as he let the words sink in.
"Wow." she scoffed in disbelief. "You did not just turn your analysis against me. That's classic deflecting."
"And here you are, still avoiding."
She bit the inside of her cheek at that, choosing to lower her defense as he really seemed to try and understand her thinking, not judge her for it. "If I go back. And he's there... It will be difficult."
"For whom?" he pressed cautiously, giving her a glimpse of how he probably is with his patients.
"For me, mostly. I still haven't really forgiven him, and I know it isn't fair. Which will make it hard for him as well." she explained before tilting her head and attempting to avoid Vincent's gaze. "I know that he would want to make it up to me and make things right. I know he would want to... Well, try again or something. And I'm just not sure whether that is what I want too."
He nodded slowly as she looked up at him again. Earning a reassuring smile before he reached for her hand, holding it warmly in hers. "Just because you decide to bury the hatchet, or even just put the past behind you, it doesn't mean that you need to go back to how things used to be."
"Yeah? You don't think there's a risk of me slipping back into old patterns?"
"You know what I think?" he chuckled softly. "You are going to live a particularly long life, Camille. Now, just how much of that do you want to spend holding a grudge?"
She pouted as he pulled back and continued to sip on his tea, making her roll her eyes slightly as she hated to admit to herself the truth. That maybe, just maybe, even an eternal life was one far too short for hatred. Especially when the object of that hate was an immortal being such as Klaus Mikaelson.
Present day
New Orleans, Louisiana
Streams of sunlight crept onto Caroline's face and brought her out of her peaceful slumber. Her body still felt sore and heavy as she stretched her arms and legs out and sighed contently. Finally feeling well-rested and relaxed for the first time since arriving in New Orleans. She didn't notice the weight around her waist until she tried to get out of bed, blinking her eyes open in bewilderment over the sudden restriction. That was when she realized that the weight holding her down was an arm, and said arm belonged to the man sleeping behind her. His soft breathing tickled her neck and brought a gentle smile to her lips.
She turned to meet his still face and felt the smile growing into a grin, a warm feeling spreading in her chest at the sight. He looked so peaceful, calm, and… young. The usual frown lines were all smoothed out, his lips were parted, and hints of a dimple showed on his cheek. It genuinely hurt to look at him, her heart just short of breaking at the gorgeous man. She tried to think back to a time where she didn't want to kick someone out of her bed first thing in the morning and realized it had been a long while since last. And for that streak to be broken by this particular man, was just incredibly ironic. And perhaps it was also very simple in its own way. Because aside from the darker parts of their history together and despite his temperament and questionable morals, he was just a man. A man who likes to paint, who has a very unique perspective of the world, who cares and would even die for his family. And damn, if he wasn't easy to look at too.
You can't stay here forever, a voice in the back of her mind told her rudely. Insisting on breaking the serene and comfortable quiet. She let out a silent groan and took a determined breath as she decided to get along with it. To pop the sweet little bubble that seemed to have surrounded them. She looked back down at his arm around her, trailing a path across it with her fingernails. "Klaus?" she whispered softly, glancing back at him and waiting for him to respond. "Wake up."
His eyes fluttered open as he searched her face for a while, looking distant and dazed as he slowly stirred awake. A smirk shaped his mouth as he hummed shortly before closing his eyes again. She giggled at him and attempted to remove his arm, only finding it holding onto her even tighter now. Fighting to pry his hand away and possibly slither out, but it was like trying to push against a wall which simply refused to budge.
"I need to get up." she pointed out to him, earning a grunt of protest in response.
"No, you don't." he insisted, his hoarse voice making her throat suddenly dry.
"Yes, I do." she chided, the grin on her lips taking the edge off her words as she was met with his eyes again. He took a long breath before conceding and finally freeing her, pulling his arm away and rolling onto his back. His hands clasped under his head and sis eyes closed as he settled to go back to sleep again.
"I had no idea you were such a grouchy old man in the morning." she scoffed mockingly as she sat up, glancing back to see him grinning with amusement.
"Well, I am a thousand years old, love. I believe I have earned the luxury of occasionally sleeping in." he muttered with a smirk, making her roll her eyes at him in response.
"Whatever you say." she snickered while throwing the duvet off her side, resulting in covering his smug face with it. She held back a laugh as he turned to wrap the blanket around himself closely, looking like a little child in a sleeping bag for a second.
Choosing to let him be for now, she stretched her arms out over her head and felt her ribs and back protest slightly. She combed through her hair with her fingers and set it up in a quick ponytail, bracing her hands on the edge of the bed as she tried to gather enough strength to take on the day. A soft touch against her shoulders made her glance back at the Hybrid. His gaze was fixed on her skin, reminding her of the still visible scars over her body. He wore a pained expression as he examined the marks cautiously, his fingers brushing over the bites as if trying to smooth them out with his touch.
"It's not as bad as it looks." she assured him with a short smile as she read the guilty thoughts running through his mind and wanted to ease them. "I'm fine, Klaus. Don't worry." she chimed before standing up and moving away from his touch.
Walking towards the full-length mirror in the corner of the room, she pulled at her top to check her back along with shoulder-blades and the sides of her torso. "I think they've already started to fade." she noted as she looked over her injuries. A flash of memory hit her while she straightened out her clothes again. The thought of a time when she was human. When her body was covered in unhealed bites and bruises. It made her still as she felt a cold shiver run through her at the image in her head. As if it was standing right there, looking back at her through the mirror. Terrified eyes, trembling lips and tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Let me heal them fully." Klaus asked with a firm tone, making it sound more like a request than question. His hands held her shoulders and kneaded them attentively as he suddenly stood right behind her. She froze for a moment before leaning into his touch with a long exhale. The image disappeared then, and she preferred to shrug the memory off as fast as possible. "There's no need for you to still have them. I don't understand why they are still there in the first place."
She winced slightly as she felt his hands elicit a stubborn ache all the way to her bones. Causing him to freeze up and meet her eyes in the mirror with caution in his. "And when Lucien asks about my sudden recovery?" she asked, reminding him that there really was a need for the marks after all. He began massaging her again and she sighed as she relaxed under his touch.
"You feign ignorance and claim it a miracle." he suggested.
"And risk him getting suspicious? That's not very good for the plan." she countered, earning a shrug from him in return.
"Then we'll make a new plan. I was never too fond of this one anyway."
She turned around to look up at him, the frown on his face mimicking her own. "I realize you don't like this, Klaus. At all." she began as she lowered his hands from her shoulders, squeezing them shortly before letting go. "But you have no idea what it means that you're actually standing back and trusting me here."
He remained unconvinced as his hands raised her arm and studied the bite mark over it silently. "I never cared much for the victims hurt by my hand. Less yet by my bite." he murmured lowly. His lips turned into a straight line as he looked up at her neck next, brushing over the scar there with furrowed eyebrows. "This is a new emotion for me, Caroline, and I can't say I enjoy it."
"Yeah." she scoffed out under her breath, finding it funny that she had managed to somehow give the ancient man a new experience. "But it's working." she insisted with a try at a smile. "Lucien brought me in, cured me and asked me to help with whatever his agenda is – that's all got to amount to something, right?"
His face refused to change, and it bothered her intently. She sighed and moved closer, placing her palms over his chest and trailing upwards to his shoulders. Trying to assure him but finding herself at a loss for how. Her hands reached for his shirt collar as she brushed her fingers over the exposed skin by his sternum. It occurred to her that he wasn't wearing the necklaces he normally did. Well, at least he used to.
The air shifted between them, the distance seeming to decrease on its own and she looked up to find his eyes filled with warmth and admiration. They called out to her and made her heart break with every inch of space between them. She found herself being swept up in it, tilting her chin up to find him just a breath away. Her mind replayed the memory of when he bit her. How he had managed to make it intimate and charged, and how it had led to them kissing. She had been surprised by the intense electricity between them, and a part of her wondered how it would feel now. Without the venom burning its way through her veins, without the urgent circumstances and whatever underlining traces of lust that had survived their time apart. Would it be the same?
She felt his hands holding onto her sides, moving to circle his arms closed around her. His lips slightly parted and close enough for their breaths to mix together, making her lean forward to kiss him – only to be interrupted by the phone in his pocket. He closed his eyes in a bitter sigh, his face so close to hers that she nearly wanted him to ignore the phone and lean in the final distance instead. But after a quick glance at the screen, his face advanced from frustration to something else.
He scowled as he quickly pulled away from her and moved back. The moment clearly gone as he turned around and read through the message. It made her feel cold and weird and awkward, she crossed her arms over her chest and looked around the room. To the desk, to her bags, to anything really that wasn't him. In the corner of her eye, she saw him angle his head back slightly in an inaudible groan before straightening up and turning to her again.
"I have to go." he told her bluntly, sounding annoyed with himself for saying the words in the first place.
"Right, yeah." she shrugged with a shy smile, clearing her throat and reaching for her toiletry bag. "I've already kept you long enough and I need to get ready anyway. I have a brunch to go to in a few hours, so..."
He pulled at her elbow and spun her to face him again. "Caroline…" he whispered quietly before sighing to himself. Looking like he wanted to say something, or a million 'some things', but just didn't have the time for it. His hand stroked her cheek softly before he leaned in and pressed a fluttery kiss to her temple.
"I'll see you soon, love." he breathed out against her skin before flashing away and leaving her alone with a mind in total turmoil.
Three years ago
New Orleans, Louisiana
A long time had come to pass since the family all gathered over dinner last. And to Elijah' surprise, it had gone better than expected. No one snapped anybody's neck nor incited magical embolisms on another… Not even one was stabbed by their sibling with a silver dagger dipped in white oak ash – and that was already a bar set high for the Mikaelson's. Although, there was one aspect to the evening that had cast a shadow over all their moods.
One unused chair at the table. One without its usual occupant.
Rebekah.
At some point over the past two years, it had become easy to put her out of his mind. To focus on his and Niklaus' task of hunting down the last followers of Aya Al-Rashid. Time never did make that big of a dent in the Original's life, and if he kept himself distracted with other matters, it was simple to forget that any had passed at all. But when it stared him in the face, the way that empty seat had done through the evening, it was impossible to avoid.
He had moved her coffin a year back, realizing it would be difficult to keep her safe when hidden away in a storage unit outside of New Orleans. But in doing so, he had stirred the suspicions of his siblings, mainly Freya. And he felt her circling the truth of the events that had transpired that one night two years ago. Which meant it was time to move her again.
His hand brushed over the polished wood as he fought against the memory yet again. He had become nearly an expert at it by now, at keeping it locked away in his mind. But as he stood by her body now, he felt his dead heart break. He opened the casket quickly, feeling a desperate need to see her face. It really had been long, and it felt longer yet now that he was the one keeping her this way.
Her face looked like stone, cold and gray with lines covering her skin. His gaze moved to the dagger again and he felt her words echo in his mind.
"Hide my body. Don't tell a soul."
"This is our burden to bear, yours and mine."
Yes, that had been the intention with the charade, he thought to himself as he turned her arm over to examine the skull-shaped weal. "You may be the one to wear this mark, Rebekah, but it is I who has been cursed." he said softly. "Cursed to carry our secret alone. And it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep it so."
He closed his eyes and held her still hand in his, wondering if she knew even then that he would not be able to wake her. Not the way they had intended.
"And when the year that the prophecy foretold is over, have Freya work out a cure, wake me up, and throw me a hell of a party."
However, said year had passed and still there was no guarantee of the prophecy having been broken yet. Aya was still hiding away with a handful of witches, whom undoubtedly would be able to find a new solution together. Tristan and Aurora were still alive, and despite being encaged and neutralized, they continued to be a danger to his family.
"And then there is you, my dearest Rebekah." he whispered solemnly as he thought of how much longer he may need to keep her hidden away.
Prophecy or not, sooner or later the threat towards the bloodlines would return to New Orleans. And his family would be unsafe again.
It was only a matter of time.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming!" Davina called out through the apartment as she hurried to meet the knocking on her door. Raising a hand and closing her eyes, she pierced through the dividing steel between her and her guest. The face surprised her, as she had expected it to be Josh or Marcel and found someone entirely different on the other side of her home.
She unlocked the door and was met with her blonde hair and wide eyes. "Cami?" she stammered out before a wide grin spread over her face. "I can't believe you're here!" she said happily as she stepped forward and wrapped her friend in a tight hug.
"Yeah, neither can I." she chuckled in response, earning a laugh from the witch as they broke apart. "Wow, you look… Older."
"I hope that's not a bad thing." Davina chided as her friend laughed and shook her head in reaction.
"No, it is actually a great thing." she chimed, her eyes twinkling with something that looked like longing, and wistfulness.
"Well, please. Camille O'Connell. Come into my own apartment." the young brunette chipped as she pulled at her hand. The blonde stepped inside then, her eyes roaming over the open space, high walls and huge windows. "I know. I'm pretty much an adult now." she joked, causing Cami to shake her head again.
"I'm impressed." she said before pointing over at the duvet and pillow on the couch. "No bed?" she asked, earning an eye-roll and sigh from the witch.
"Yeah, haven't had the time honestly."
"It's perfect, Davina. Way more grown-up than my first apartment!"
They laughed together at that before the younger woman pulled at the blonde again. "Well, one good thing about actually aging…" she drawled as they moved towards the kitchen. She reached for a bottle from her wine rack and held it up to her guest. "I can legally drink now."
"Yes, I believe that qualifies as one of the better merits." Cami agreed cheerily as she begun to fill two glasses with a red Syrah.
"So…" Davina sighed out and looked up at the blue eyes with an involuntary frown. "Are you staying?"
"I don't know... Vincent wants to come back, but I'm just not there yet." the vampire replied with a shrug, smiling as they raised their glasses in the air. "To you growing up." she chimed before they clicked them together and sipped on the drink.
"Do you think you're ever going to get there?"
The question seemed to sadden the blonde as she frowned and shrugged again. "We'll see." she said, not giving anything more. "So, how are you? How are your classes?"
"They're fine." Davina whined with an eye-roll. "Please don't tell me you're only here to make sure I'm fulfilling my dutiful notions as a young adult!"
Camille chuckled at that. "No, I heard you might need a friend. That's all." she admitted with a shrug before reaching for her purse and placing it on the kitchen island. "And a house-warming gift."
Davina frowned slightly in confusion before examining the contents of the bag. Her face lighting up as she recognized the pencil wrapped in a red bow. "Is this…?" she gasped softly, picking the pencil up and studying it closely in her hands. "It is, isn't it?"
"According to my uncle's files, it can be used by anyone. Witch, human, anything." Cami explained.
"When focusing on an internal image, a thought or even a memory, the pencil will draw it for you." Davina finished, beaming up at her friend. "Thank you. I really appreciate it."
"You're welcome, sweetie. Just promise not to use it for cheating on your exams."
"I promise." she giggled and shook her head. "Okay, this calls for ice-cream too." she announced before turning towards her freezer. "Chocolate brownie fudge or cookie dough?"
They shared a look before Davina smiled and nodded her head. "Both it is."
Present day
New Orleans, Louisiana
When Caroline knocked on Lucien's door later that morning, she had showered and moisturized and curled her hair, and it all made her feel like herself again. Having washed off the smells that had lingered from Lucien's less than impressive assortment of shampoo and body wash. Dressing up in white ankle-long linen pants and a lace blouse, the borrowed clothes in the bag in her hands. She felt stronger, better and ready.
The door opened to reveal a half-naked woman with long dark hair and even longer and darker legs. "You here for the party?" she asked, her eyes scanning her quickly as her face turned into distaste.
"Uhm…" she began, feeling completely disoriented and confused before realizing that the loud music coming from the apartment probably would have been a clue. "I was supposed to meet Lucien." she said firmly, deciding already to turn around and leave if he came to show up as disheveled as the girl in the hall.
"Come on." the woman sighed out as she let her inside, closing the door behind the vampire. When turning around, she noticed some marks on the woman's body that resembled her own, and it made her furrow her eyebrows shortly. "Is that for Mr. Castle?" the woman asked, stopping her train of thought as she pointed to the bag in Caroline's hands.
"Right, yes." she stuttered out before clearing her throat shortly. "Should I just come back at another time-?"
"Alice!" the loud greeting made her jump in surprise as the homeowner finally appeared in the hall then. He wasn't undressed, but his eyes and smile matched the heavy scent of strong alcohol coming from his breath as he wobbled over to her. "I am so glad to see you again, dear." he purred and raised her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles swiftly before she could protest.
"And you brought something, too!" he beamed and nodded towards her bag.
"Yes, it's the clothes I borrowed from you." she explained.
"Ah, you should've kept them. I wouldn't have minded at all!" he teased while putting the bag away and inviting her inside. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders as he led her through the apartment and towards the large living area where the sounds of music and giggles were coming from.
They passed another two half-naked women, doing body-shots off each other and squealing with a ridiculously drunk joy. But the light clothing was not what bothered Caroline – it was the bite marks over their necks, legs, arms… Everywhere. And suddenly, they entered the next room, and her self-assured spirit was crushed into pieces. As nothing in the world could have prepared her for what she faced; the sight of Klaus Mikaelson with a woman in his lap while feeding off her wrist.
The girl wore a tiny slip-on dress and the most malicious smile ever, seeming completely indifferent to the blonde visitor. A hand of perfectly manicured nails stroked his face as she smugly whispered something in the hybrid's ear. Caroline had no interest whatsoever in hearing what she said. In fact, if it wasn't for Lucien's arm around her shoulders, she just might have lunged forward and ripped the skank apart. But only after she strangled the idiotic original jerk to death first.
"Nik, greet our guest!" Lucien called out as the other women came in after them. Each taller and darker and more gorgeous than the other. "This, my dear friend, is Alice!"
"Caroline, actually." she corrected. The hybrid's body seemed to freeze for a moment before he fixed his eyes on her. As if not having noticed her presence until she spoke.
He swiftly pushed the woman off him and wiped away her blood from his mouth. Standing from his seat and walking over to her with a lopsided grin and empty eyes. "Charmed." he crooned shortly before sweeping the drink in his hands and sashaying past her to refill his glass.
She had to fight hard to not convey the awful turning of her stomach as she nodded to the 'stranger'. However, the words seemed to ring true in her mind for now. Because she couldn't recognize this Klaus, his face forming a strange grin and his eyes completely blank to her.
"And what is your business with Lucien, dear Caroline?" he asked, his voice sounding rough and strange to her as he barely glanced over his shoulder to look in her direction. "Don't tell me he invited you to the celebration?"
"Celebration?" she echoed, crossing her arms over her chest as she decided to mimic his nonchalant behavior.
"Excuse his manners, love. We decided to catch up as old friends and we must have forgotten about the time!" Lucien explained before pulling at Klaus to meet Caroline's eyes. "This is Nik. My sire."
Clearing her throat, she squared her shoulders and reached out her hand to him. "Pleasure to meet you, Nik." she chimed happily as she refused to show any other emotion whatsoever.
"Klaus." he corrected before taking her hand in a polite shake, forcing her to gulp down the familiar tingle of his touch before quickly pulling away. "Bourbon or whiskey, love?"
"Oh, no thanks..." she stammered just as the woman formerly tied around his waist showed up beside him.
"Bourbon, please!" the girl exclaimed as she clung to his shoulder. Turning narrowed eyes in Caroline's direction, a scowl on her face as she seemed to be marking the Original as her territory. If the goal had been for her to intimidate the new guest, she had failed. Because all Caroline could think about was the bite marks and bruises over her arms and neck.
She wanted to heal her, compel her to leave and forget about the horrible men who had done this to her. But she stood back and waited, trying to understand the meaning of this whole scene. She couldn't help but feel like it was another test from Lucien. Or maybe a game? Maybe his sire was the one who had taught him all his twisted ways from the start and now Lucien wanted to pass his knowledge onto her? But she didn't understand what it was supposed to prove, or not prove, or teach her or – whatever. She just wanted out.
"Forgive us, Alice. But as Nik said, we are celebrating!" Lucien chuckled, tearing his face away from the woman currently wrapped around his neck.
"Oh?" Caroline said, trying not to glance back at the stranger next to her who had taken over Klaus' body. "What are you celebrating exactly?"
"The demise of a common enemy." Lucien replied cheekily, raising his glass in the air as Klaus did the same. They shared a pair of nods before finishing their drinks with one gulp.
"I see." Caroline snickered, fidgeting with her hands lightly as she sensed Klaus' eyes on her. Lucien smiled shortly before handing a glass of whatever they were drinking to her.
"Thanks." she murmured, accepting the drink but deciding against drinking it for now. "I didn't mean to interrupt you, maybe I should come back later?"
"Ah, nonsense! I promised you brunch, and I keep my promises." he announced with his arms outstretched in a pointed gesture. "Come along, Alice. This way!"
He led her to the kitchen where the table was already set up with an incredible spread of bagels, fruits and pastries. She was trying to focus on Lucien as he went over the different options before her, but all she could manage was to smile and nod as something else filled her mind. The sound of Klaus speaking to the women in the other room.
"I believe it is time for you ladies to leave now. Thank you for your assistance." the hybrid purred smoothly, but he didn't seem to be compelling the women. And that bothered Caroline even further as they dressed and left the apartment with suspicious and gruesome marks all over their bodies.
Lucien sat her down in a chair and quickly served her coffee and mimosa, patting her shoulder before taking a seat opposite her. "I hope you had a good night's rest, Alice."
She quickly turned her attention to him again and nodded. "I did. And I have none other than you to thank for that." she told him with a smile.
"Is that so?" Klaus' voice pressed as he came to sit next to her then, nearly causing her to fly out of her chair and choose the seat furthest away from him in response.
"Get your mind out of the gutter, Nik." Lucien snickered amusedly before winking over at the blonde. "I was never the kind of man to kiss and tell anyway."
She nearly choked on some fruit at that, clearing her throat shortly before forcing out a chuckle. "Yes, you're quite the gentleman." she teased cheekily, earning a deep chuckle from both men in return.
"Don't worry, love." Klaus purred with a mischievous glint in his eye as he leaned closer to her then. "You'll have plenty of time to change your opinion of him." he teased, his breath hitting her cheek and causing her to nearly turn around and slap him hard. Or turn the opposite direction and violently throw up.
Instead, she directed a pageant smile at him before quickly turning to the host again. "So, what was it you wanted my help with, Lucien?" she asked before leaning back in her chair and sipping her coffee. She stiffened when she felt Klaus' arm resting across her seat, leaning forward again quickly as she avoided his touch like he was sick with the plague. She hurried to reach for the little crystal jar of sugar at the table and busied herself with sweetening her drink.
A thought occurred to her and she quickly voiced it in an attempt to turn the tables in her favor. "And please don't tell me it is for the same reason that you wanted those other girls here. Because I've already had more than enough experience with that whole scene, and trust me, I have no interest in doing it again any time soon."
Her sharp remark caused Klaus to chuckle breathily and Lucien to point an impressed glance her way. "No, darling." the latter assured with a smirk. "That is not the case."
She smiled a little and nodded at that, flinching as she felt the hybrid's hand gently touch her shoulder then. "Do you want some coffee with that sugar, Caroline?" he mocked as he gestured to her cup, bringing her attention to the white mountain building in her drink.
Clearing her throat, she shrugged before twirling her spoon in the coffee. "I like 'em sweet." she threw back, glancing over at him to meet a challenging smirk and cocked brow on his face.
"Really? I would have picked you for more of the bitter type." he countered cheekily. The words making her grip the side of the table tightly in an attempt to keep her temper.
"Nope!" she snickered, smacking her lips a little at the 'p'. "But don't worry, Nik. You'll have plenty of time to change your perception of me."
He widened his eyes shortly in surprise before grinning and shaking his head, clearly keeping a laugh back at her retort.
"You see why I adore her?" Lucien crooned then with a nod towards Klaus, who grinned in response while he finally pulled back from her chair.
"Yes." he replied cheekily. "I believe I got the message loud and clear."
She had to fight back a victorious smile at the comment as she could finally lean back in her seat comfortably.
"Now, dear. Allow me to explain." the dark-eyed host chimed as he refilled his mimosa. "I need you to meet with someone and relay the story of your unfortunate incident the other night."
"Why?" she asked, her voice muffled by her mouthful of strawberries as she tried to dodge the coffee by her side that was undoubtedly poisonous with sugar now.
He reached for something in his shirt pocket and put it down on the table before her, revealing an envelope with beautiful calligraphy on it. His nod urged her to open it and read the contents. She wiped her hands shortly before picking it up and reading the letter inside.
It was an invitation to an event with the date set for only a few days from now. "A ball?" she asked incredulously before looking up at him in question.
"For the Strix." Lucien added, only earning another confused look from the young woman and deciding to explain it further with a shrug. "It is an elite group with highly connected vampires and witches."
"And you want me to-?" she drawled slowly as he smirked in response.
"I need you to speak with the host of the event and leader of the Strix; Marcel Gerard."
Her mind began to race as she studied him closely, wondering whether to acknowledge that she already knew Marcel or not. "So, you want me to tell him about the attack?"
"Yes." he nodded with a smile. "I am convinced you will divulge every last ghastly detail of the wolves."
"I don't understand... Do you think he can help me find them or something?" she stammered out before feeling Klaus' knee press against her leg, as if trying to tell her to wait and see where the vampire was going. Or rather, if he would reveal his endgame to them.
"There is a certain accord in the French Quarter." Lucien said as he stood up and walked over to one of the panorama windows, looking out over the view shortly before continuing. "You called it a symbiosis last night, and it is quite close to the truth. You see, werewolves, vampires, witches, humans – we all live in a carefully constructed harmony. Rules are agreed upon of how the various groups are expected to behave towards the others."
"And werewolves attacking a tourist, is in violation of those rules." Klaus continued with a short glance her way.
"So… What happens to the person who breaks the rules?" she pressed with cautious eyes as she worried about asking too many questions.
There was no reply, Lucien simply turned back towards his guests with a wicked smile. His hands clasped behind his back, a move that seemed to be inherited through the entire sire-line - or maybe just to the vampires that Klaus himself had turned.
He sat back down in his chair and looked over at them with a serious face before speaking again. "Nik, I need you to take her to Marcel's."
The hybrid scoffed in response. "What am I, your maid?" he snickered before sipping on his bourbon. "I have better things to do with my time than transport your guests across town."
"Niklaus..." Lucien sighed out before glancing over at his sire again. "Don't you see what Marcel intends to arrange with this ball?"
Klaus was silent for a short moment before placing his glass on the table and running a hand over his face. "Davina." he muttered lowly, shaking his head before glancing back at Caroline. "He's right. We need to speak with Marcel."
"We?" she echoed with a nervous gulp of her over-sweetened coffee.
"Ah, you needn't fear Niklaus, dear." Lucien chuckled mockingly, that trademark wicked smirk of his back on his face already. "He happens to have a soft-spot for blondes." he chimed and winked at her before turning to the hybrid again. "You won't kill her, will you Nik?"
"Not if she doesn't give me a reason to." Klaus replied with a shrug.
"Wait, you're not coming?" she stammered towards the other vampire as he chuckled in reply.
"I have other business to attend to, unfortunately." he shrugged, a pointed look shortly directed at his sire then.
Caroline swallowed hard and nodded. "Okay." she drawled, her glance passing between the men quickly as they both got up from their chairs. "You mean right now?"
"If you don't mind." Lucien purred, earning another determined nod from her as Klaus gestured for her to leave first. She followed them to the hall as Lucien kept a hand low on her back. "I will see you later for that dinner and drinks as promised, dear Alice." he told her softly before taking her hand in his and bringing it to his lips. "I did take the liberty of programming my number into your phone last night. Don't hesitate to put it to use, yes?"
The sleezy look in his eyes was hard to ignore as she fought to keep her smile easy and warm. "Of course." she chimed while he let go of her.
She nodded a silent 'goodbye' to him before turning to Klaus as he waited to escort her. He held out his arm for her to take, causing her to second-guess herself temporarily before accepting the gesture.
"Hold on tight." he murmured lowly before using his speed to take off with her.
Caroline and Klaus reached Marcel's apartment in practically the blink of an eye. Klaus barged right in, leaving Caroline to feel kind of awkward before she stepped inside. Memories of the last time she had been there flashed through her mind, making her blush when she saw Marcel walking out to greet them with only a pair of loose sweatpants on.
"Caroline. I didn't expect to see you here again." he said with a look mixed between amusement and surprise.
The words made Klaus glare back at her with a scowl. "You've been here?" he asked. "When?"
She crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes at his tone. "When did you start walking around with a woman attached to your lap?" she bit back.
"Rest assured, sweetheart; we will be discussing this later." he said as he pointed at her angrily.
"Did you guys just come to have a lover's spat in my home, or did you actually need something?" Marcel groaned as he walked towards them with two glasses of scotch. Klaus reached for one of them, but Marcel dodged him and turned to Caroline instead. She grinned widely as she accepted the drink and clinked glasses with him.
"Such a gentleman." she crooned, glancing back at Klaus pointedly before turning to Marcel again. "And actually... We wanted to ask you about this ball you're throwing."
"Ah, yes!" he grinned back at her. "In fact, I was hoping you would consider planning it with me."
"Really?"
"Yes, I had some men look up your credentials. I hear they are quite… extensive." he beamed with an impressed sparkle in his eye.
"Oh, why thank you!" she giggled and pushed at his shoulder playfully.
A grunt caused her to glance back at the hybrid again. "Don't make me throw you out, Caroline." he grumbled.
"I'm just catching up with my friend here, but of course that must be something unbeknownst to you." she sneered back, tilting her head in a cold smile.
His eyes shone as he moved closer to her with a daring smirk. "Easy, love. I am not above carrying you out of here myself."
She had to gulp down the sudden tension she felt, not at all hating the idea of him carrying her anywhere. Shaking her head before turning back to the other vampire again. "Anyway, Marcel." she drawled, meeting his charming smile with a grin of her own. "This ball, apparently it's a big deal?"
"It's an initiation ball." he told her with a kind smile. "The Strix throws one during the rare occasions when a new leader is appointed to the foundation. In this case, we will be crowning a new head of the coven."
"Davina." she said, remembering Klaus' reaction at Lucien's. "So, that's why you're doing this? To make her their queen or whatever?"
He chuckled warmly at that before shaking his head. "It's called The Dawning. There's a commencement ceremony during it that binds the coven's powers to the attending members." he shared before glancing at Klaus. "I was going to use it to strip the runaway witches of their powers, since we haven't been able to draw them all out yet. If they don't have magic, we won't need to worry about finding them anymore."
She nodded in understanding at that. "Well, we have a rouse going with Lucien already. So, I'm going to have to ask you to back off for now."
"Wait, what rouse?"
"He has taken me in, and I am trying to gain enough of his trust to possibly find Julian through him." she explained before glancing shortly at Klaus. Only to see him sulking in silence with his back turned towards them. "Apparently, Lucien wants me to stir up some drama between the werewolves and the vampires."
"Is he, now?" Marcel scoffed shortly and shook his head. "It won't be the first time he's attempted something similar. I'm just surprised you're going through with it."
"She's not." Klaus interjected then. "Considering his newfound interest in the Strix – I have reason to believe that Lucien is searching for his missing collection of weapons."
"From a few years back?" the younger vampire asked, earning a short nod from his sire. "I guess that answers some questions... Didn't he say that he thought Aya took them right before she fled?"
The hybrid sighed shortly. "Since we never did manage to find her, despite having scoured every last inch of the earth, I suspect that Aya has been using a cursed object to hide from us."
"She wouldn't have been able to keep his entire arsenal hidden by herself, no cursed object is that powerful." Marcel mused with a sigh. "Which means that someone in the Strix is helping her."
"Possibly even hiding the objects for her. At least that is what I would do." Klaus shrugged nonchalantly. "Lowers the risk of someone finding me by using said object."
"Which brings us to the candle." Caroline chimed in as she nodded towards Marcel. "The Candle of Hades. Is it possible that this Strix knows something about it? Could it have been one of the objects that were stolen?"
"If it is, the ball will work as the perfect bait for seeking it out." he concluded. "The commencement ceremony will allow for Davina to sense any secrets or threats within the Strix. She would be able to detect any additional magic or weapons that shouldn't be in the member's possession."
"So, she'd be able to sniff out the candle?"
"Along with any other objects that Aya allegedly took from Lucien's collection." he confirmed, his eyes turning towards the hybrid slowly.
Klaus scowled in reaction as they seemed to be reading each other's minds or something – and simultaneously leaving Caroline in the dark. "He never did relay how many he had stored away." the Original pointed out, earning a nod from Marcel then as Caroline raised her brows in confusion.
"Well then, Davina will find that too." Marcel said with a shrug.
"And you expect me to allow for her to gain such power?" Klaus pressed with a cold chuckle.
"She can handle it." The younger vampire insisted. "I won't let anything happen to her."
"Ah, well. If the great Marcellus promises not to let something happen…!" he chuckled back in disbelief.
"This is a good plan, Klaus." the other vampire told him. "We'll have them all in the same place at the same time. I'll have my nightwalkers search their apartments, hotels, cars, luggage – you name it. If anyone within the Strix is hiding the objects, or a single one of those daggers, we will find them."
"And get the candle." Caroline interjected, making sure the men didn't forget her part in it.
"And the candle." Marcel nodded in agreement, smiling at her with reassuring eyes.
"Fine." Caroline said then. "I'll help you throw the ball."
"Caroline…" Klaus began to protest but she gave him a glance that shut him up.
"You've expressed your view on the matter already, Klaus. I don't need to hear any more from you." she told him coldly, making Marcel smirk with amusement.
"I realize that you are upset. But don't confuse your anger towards me with your better instincts, love." the hybrid retorted, making her turn around in a heap of anger.
"Excuse me!? You do not get to tell me how I make my decisions, Mr. Get drunk with prostitutes in the middle of the day with my old party-buddy!"
"Prostitutes?" Marcel echoed with wide eyes and an equally wide smile.
"They weren't prostitutes." Klaus hissed defiantly.
"Well, they were there, half-naked, seemingly fine with doing whatever you wanted… Sounds like prostitutes to me!" she countered, earning a deep sigh from the Mikaelson as he stepped closer to her.
"Could we speak of this in private?" he gritted, making her chuckle coldly in response.
"Nope! Not happening! I'm planning a ball, so you should get out of my way and find me a dress to wear or something." she requested before turning her determination towards Marcel. "Now, what do I need to do?" she asked him, hoping to have moved on from the conversation for now.
"Come on, sweetheart." Klaus groaned at that. "I'll walk you home, we'll clear the air–"
"Don't think so, I might actually stay here for the night." she countered cheekily and glanced back at Marcel. "Would you mind?"
"Of course not." he winked at her in return.
"Not a chance." Klaus spat out, making her grit her teeth and ball up her fists with rage.
"That's funny, I wasn't aware that I was taking any suggestions on the matter!" she thundered back while turning a fuming scowl towards him.
"Caroline, I swear-" he began but she cut him off with the coldest look she could possibly muster up. It silenced him as they stared at each other for a loaded minute. He took a deep breath through his nose, seemingly trying to calm down before he spoke again. "I'm not leaving you here." he gritted out, enunciating each word firmly.
"And I'm not leaving." she countered in the same tone.
"Then you've forced my hand." he said curtly and suddenly flashed towards Marcel. A loud crack sounding as the Original snapped his neck, his body slumping to the ground with a heavy thud.
"Klaus!" Caroline yelled out in horror. "What the hell!?"
"I could ask you the same thing!" he roared back as he grabbed onto her arms and glared at her intently. "What has gotten into you!?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I was just under the impression that we'd decided to be friends and trust each other." she chuckled bitterly and pulled out of his touch.
"How friendly of you to accuse me of hiring whores."
"Well, I don't know the technical term. But you're clearly the expert, so you tell me. What do you call a walking blood bag in her underwear that will only leave your side at your command?"
"You just said, and I repeat: that we'd decided to trust each other." he retorted, making her snicker loudly in response.
"You were hurting them! Using them like some walking and talking express blood bank!" she countered with a flat laugh. "And the only reason you got away with it is because you look like you and they probably thought you wanted to sleep with them – not suck them dry."
"So, it would all have been justified if I had slept with them?"
"What? No! Y-you're missing the point!"
"No, Caroline. You are." he countered. "Now, please explain to me; Which part is it exactly that you have such an issue with? The fact that I fed on humans or that you believe I seduced said humans into allowing it?"
"Both, you dick!" she roared before covering her face with her hands in a deep groan before facing him again. "You're a jerk, you do know that, right? An obnoxious, self-centered and just impossibly moronic jerk!" she spat out bitterly.
He suddenly flashed in front of her and gripped her chin tight, his lips just by hers as he looked into her eyes. "And you are delirious." he gritted quietly, making her gulp hard as she fought to pull out of his hold. "Say, Caroline, do you intentionally look for reasons to keep me at arm's length? Or are you simply in such denial that you still think of me as being nothing more than this cruel and evil monster you have created in your mind?"
She managed to push him back from her then and took a deep breath while squaring her shoulders. Meeting his eyes with determinedly cold steel in hers. "If you really don't think that you have done anything wrong… Then I don't need to imagine what kind of monster you are."
He opened his mouth as if ready to say something in return but quickly closed it again. His expression turned dark as he shook his head slowly, turning around and walking towards the door. He stopped abruptly and looked over his shoulder as he spoke again. "I am glad that you have finally determined how you feel about me, love. It will certainly save me a lot of time in the future." he told her hoarsely, not waiting for a reply as he disappeared into the wind then.
Tears had already begun to roll down her face, despite her efforts to keep them at bay. The finality of the argument made her hug herself tightly as she felt like he had ripped her heart straight out of her chest.
