Hope you guys like this one, hard at work with the next! Would love to hear your thoughts in the reviews. xx.
Chapter 24: They do not know of your sins
Three years ago
New Orleans, Louisiana
He let out a grunt as he dropped the last bag in the storage room, the effects of the past few weeks finally taking its toll. But his face formed a smile as he listened in on the many rooms of the house. Hearing Freya as she cleaned her study, dusting off shelves and shuffling papers around. Focusing further until the sounds of a conversation between his brother and Hayley guided him through the building. Heading straight to Hope's playroom with determined steps as he looked forward to seeing his daughter again. It really had been a long trip this time, and one without result.
Klaus contemplated the possibility that they would not be able to find Aya in the nearest future after all. And perhaps there were better ways for him to spend his time than chasing dead ends all over the world. It would've worked before, when it was just him and when he had none other to consider as he went about as he pleased. Now, however, he had a family. He had Marcel, Hayley and his siblings. And most importantly – he had Hope. The three-year-old little girl that waited for him. One that had developed the fascinating ability to sense him before he entered a room.
"Daddy." she called out, rushing out the door in time to see him. The beaming smile on her face could melt even the coldest of hearts as he grinned back.
"Hello, my littlest wolf." he crooned before scooping her up and spinning her in the air. Her gleeful squeals echoing through the halls, her auburn hair covering her face as he hugged her tightly. "Did you miss me, sweetheart?" he asked as he pinched her cheek with a playful wink.
She nodded in response as a wide grin spread over her perfect little face. "I'm playing monster, daddy. Do you want to play too?" she asked just as another voice spoke up beside them.
"Let's give your dad a moment to settle in first, sweetie." Hayley chimed as she came to reach for the toddler, looking up at Klaus with a pointed glance. "You have a visitor."
The hybrid blinked shortly as she nodded towards the end of the hall, listening in to hear a different heartbeat in his room that he hadn't noticed before. Klaus squeezed Hope's hand and gave her a final smile. "I'll be in to play with you shortly, sweetheart."
"Okay." she chimed as her mother carried her back into the playroom. Leaving him to turn and face whatever, or whomever, awaited him.
He wasn't sure of what expectations he had as he entered his room, but the sight of Camille O'Connell standing by his bedroom window was not one of them. She was lit up by the afternoon sun, looking like something out of a daydream in her yellow dress and blonde hair.
Shaking his head slightly as he attempted to shake off the disbelief that had struck him, he took a cautious step forward before breaking the silence. "I wasn't aware of your return to the city." he said. Studying her from across the room as he reckoned some distance might be the healthy choice for a start.
"Well, it's only temporary." she replied with a shrug, turning to him and taking a short step forward. "I'm leaving for Shreveport tonight."
"I see." he murmured with a nod. Studying her as they both seemed unsure of what to say. "How are you enjoying life away from New Orleans?"
She smiled shortly before looking down at her hands, letting out a sigh as she took a step towards him. "Klaus, I… I need to–" she stammered, making him gulp hard as he cut her off.
"Camille–" he sighed out as he walked closer to her, but she stopped him by raising her palm in the air.
"Please. If I don't say this now, I don't know if I ever will." she interjected with a short smile. Her hands ran through her hair slowly as she gathered her thoughts. "I want you to know… I hope, one day, to be able to forget about what happened and move on. And I suppose I needed you to know that… though I may have been short with you or even blamed you for a lot of the horrible things that happened, I'm working towards letting all of that go."
Her words surprised him as he eyed her closely, taking another step towards her as he tried to sense where this was going. A part of him wishing, desperately, that she might just have decided to forgive him. That perhaps, he could have a chance to make things right between them. And maybe, she wouldn't cut him out of her life again. She remained still as he closed the final distance between them, resisting the urge to reach out to her. To make sure that she was there, that she was real. Since there was a possibility of it all simply being part of his imagination. Of his guilt manifesting itself into such a realistic illusion, either to tear him apart further or to help him better cope with it.
She glanced up, her wide and beautiful eyes so open and tender. Making him realize that he hadn't quite managed to capture them on paper in the right sense after all. "I think I also wanted you to know…" she mused as she spoke up again. "That despite you being the reason for me leaving – you're not what's kept me from coming back home."
"Then why haven't you?" he asked softly, hoping to be able to persuade her into staying after all.
"Honestly?" she said in a breathy chuckle. "I don't feel like I belong here anymore. Not since… well, since I died."
"I'm not sure I follow, love. If anything, there cannot be a better place in the world where a vampire should feel more at home in." he countered with a smirk. "If there was, I would have surely found it by now."
A little smile played on her lips as she shook her head in response. "I guess you're right about that." she admitted before her face turned somber again. "However, it doesn't seem to be the answer in my case."
"May I ask what the answer might be for you then?"
She blinked shortly and shrugged as she spoke up. "All I know is that the work that my family was usually responsible for here is now being covered by other people within the human faction." she began, letting out a sad laughter. "And since I doubt it was ever intended to be passed down to a vampire anyway, I have decided to leave the O'Connell legacy in the past."
He frowned at that, ready to protest before she spoke up again and interrupted him. "Truthfully, the more I look at it, the clearer it is to me that the life I had here; growing up and working and going to school… it isn't the life I have anymore, and I don't think it really fits into my future either." she explained, sighing shortly before continuing. "I'm on a different path now. I have a different life with new people around me and entirely other views and goals… Evidently, there doesn't seem to be any room left for New Orleans in any of it." she explained, looking up at him with a pained expression then. "And there is no longer room in it for you."
Closing his eyes shortly as he took her words in, the meaning behind them cutting deeply. When he met her eyes again, he felt the need to be as open with her as she had been with him. "Camille." he murmured as he reached for her hand and held it between both of his. Turning his gaze to hers in a firm look. "Despite my considerable time on this earth, I find that there are very few of my past actions that truly eat away at my conscious. There are not many things that I regret, and I rarely feel guilt over the choices I have made."
He moved closer and cupped her face, worried of her not believing him as he told her the agonizing truth which he had carried for the past years. "However, not a single day has gone by since you left where I haven't felt deep remorse for all the pain I've caused you. As well as the numerous occasions that my involvement with you put you in harm's way. But most of all, I regret how being in my life cost you yours." he explained earnestly.
She watched him for a moment before taking his hands and extracting them from her. Turning away from him as he felt a hard pain in his chest at her silence. Finally, she faced him again with a frown. "Klaus, I may never understand your reasoning for the choices you make, whether they are for yourself or for others – and trust me, I've tried. But it's clear that you'r not seeing the real issue here." she said as she sighed out and folded her arms. "I trusted you. I put my life in your hands on a regular basis for… years. And I truly believed that you cared about that. About me. That you felt the way I did for you."
"I did. I... I do." he protested as he gave her a pleading look. "Of course, I care. And I am sorry for betraying your trust in me." he said with a frown as he felt a lump fill his throat. "Camille, if you were ever to forgive me, I promise you I will not make such a mistake again."
She shook her head profusely in response. "Well, that's just not enough for me!" she clamored. "I deserve more. I deserve to be able to place my faith in someone without worrying that it will physically hurt me in return." she protested, her glossy eyes causing him as much pain as her words. "I was in love with you, Klaus. And I believe you when you say that you cared about me too. But as it turns out, all I've ever done is desperately try and understand you. Only to discover that you never really understood me. Or you would've seen how I felt about this life of yours and the exhausting amount of death and misery that it apparently comes with. You would've known that I didn't want to be pushed into a life as a vampire. And you sure as hell would've understood why your version of punishment for her wouldn't be enough for me. Because it definitely didn't do anything to ease my fears or reassure me that I would be safe again. Neither here, in my home, and especially not with you."
Reaching up, she dried a few tears off with her hands before taking a deep breath and speaking again. "I guess what I'm trying to say is... You're not enough for me anymore. And I don't have the strength to work on changing that any time soon."
He swallowed down the heartbreaking rejection as he felt his eyes burn with tears or their own. "So, this is it then?" he pressed with a strained voice. "This is our final goodbye? We will live in eternity and yet we won't ever meet again?"
"Maybe… One day, we could find a way to rebuild our friendship. And maybe, at some point, I could even be able to trust you again." she mused with a deep sigh. "But I'm not going to spend the next few decades or even centuries waiting for it to become reality. Because frankly, neither of us deserve that… So, yes. I suppose it means that this is goodbye." she muttered as her voice lost strength, a tiny sniffle escaping her before she turned towards the door.
He grabbed a hold on her arm as he suddenly couldn't bear letting her go. Not yet. "I'm sorry I couldn't give you the trust and safety that you wanted from me, Camille." he said with a genuine frown.
"I know you are. But like I said... It's still not enough." she insisted with a sad sigh. "So, I guess I'm sorry too. But I refuse to discredit my feelings, fears and most importantly my self, just to keep you in my life, Klaus." she added firmly as she pulled away from his touch and pointed one last glance at him. "And you... You shouldn't want me to." she concluded before walking away. Leaving him to wipe a hand over his face as he fought against the dark sorrow that built within him. Waiting to swallow him whole if he let it.
Instead, he headed to his studio and forced the internal turmoil to flow through him and out onto a canvas. Harnessing the awful feeling of something breaking inside as he moved the brush in rushed sweeps. But somewhere through the process, the pain became as present as ever and gripped his attention. Causing him to throw the brushes and colors against the wall and tearing the canvas into pieces. Sitting down on the floor, in the midst of his destruction, he accepted his fate. His loss. His pain. Choosing to grieve it for now and let himself feel it all.
That way, he could later get up and collect himself enough to go play with his daughter. Thereby leaving the darkness behind and instead focusing on the light, at least this once.
Marcel had never enjoyed going behind the backs of the people closest to him, and this time was no different. Josh appeared beside him with a grim frown etched on his face, displaying the same level of disdain over their deceit himself.
"I didn't think that I'd ever have to say this to you, Marcel." the young man began with a sigh. "But please don't make me spy on her."
"We don't have a choice." he told him firmly. "Olivia Gardiner did not end up dead by accident, Josh. And none of my men would ever hurt a Strix member – witch or vampire alike. Which means that there is someone out there killing witches in the Quarter and blaming us for it."
They moved closer to the fence as they focused on the gathering of covens, their accusatory whispers starting to get on the vampire's nerves. "This could get ugly." he murmured as he glanced at his young friend with a frown.
"You really think she would choose them over us?" Josh questioned silently.
"I honestly don't know." he admitted with a frown, looking out to search for the prominent witch leader. "But if she does, all hell is going to break loose. And we need to be ready when it happens."
Her dark hair came into view then and silenced everyone in the cemetery at once. The vampires held their breaths as they watched the young witch walk up some steps and glance over the crowd with a serious look on her face. He couldn't help but grit his teeth as he worried about her, about the girl that had taken residence in his heart and that in such a short time had become like a daughter to him.
The young women and men in the mass beneath her had various looks in their eyes, not all seemed like a threat to their leader. But Marcel knew all too well that one would be plenty enough… His knuckles fisted up tightly as he examined the crowd one by one. If anyone were to hurt a single hair on Davina Claire's head, they would have to answer to him.
"Olivia Gardiner was a young witch at the age of 19." she began, her voice was impressively steady and brought a little smile to Marcel's face. "When her mother died two years ago, she came to me searching for answers. For guidance."
The mass cast glances between each other, their views on the speech varying in a wide range. "I told her to use her inherited powers to make a difference. To help the Quarter. And she did, every single day until her death." Davina continued, her eyes carefully passing between the witches as she met them all with grace and dignity.
"She tutored our youngest and aided our elders. She brought kindness and light into our covens and helped bridge the gaps between us… Olivia fought for a united faction of witches, and there is no doubt in my mind that it's still what she wants even after her death."
Confusion seemed to spread through the mass, hitting even Marcel as he watched Davina take another deep breath before speaking again. "In honor of our fallen witches, in honor of Oliva Gardiner, I have decided to take a stand." she said, reaching for a candle and holding it in her hands as she continued. "The time has come to end our segregating practices, to stop treating each other like parts of different covens. There will no longer be a separate practice for the Sisterhood, because they are not and never have been our enemies."
Candles were passed around to everyone as Davina spoke on. "They too are our sisters, just like we are theirs. And if one thing is clear to me it is that we need each other. That we need to fight together and take care of one another. That is how we become stronger. That is how we will stand against the violence and tyranny that has reigned over the Quarter for far too long." she told them firmly, nodding as she looked them over with a serious face.
"We are no longer a congregation nor a gathering of different practices. From now on, we are one coven. We have one family. We follow one set of rules and traditions. From this day forward, we stand united against the factions. And if anyone, vampire, werewolf, human or even witch, tries to hurt one of us again? Then we won't hesitate to treat them for what they really are; our enemies."
Marcel looked over at Josh with a frown, the speech having been nothing like he had expected from the Claire witch. "Take your candle, fellow sisters and brothers and all others." Davina continued, raising hers high and lighting it with her magic. "Show your support to our new union. Take a stand with your witches, and not against them. Swear right here and now that this is the family you will protect first-hand for as long as you shall live. Promise to stand by the coven and against all and anyone who threatens us."
Candles began to rise from the mass, their magic lighting them all up as more and more showed in the air. "And as one coven, we will be stronger than we have ever been on our own. We will demand justice and equality from the factions. And we will not accept anything less than what we deserve." Davina called out firmly.
There wasn't a single witch without a lit-up candle raised above their heads in the end. All stood looking at their leader with agreeing nods, respect and awe filling their eyes. Davina beamed down at them with a wide smile. "Welcome to our new family. Welcome to the new French Quarter Coven."
The candles hovered in the air around them as they all erupted into an enthusiastic applause, praising the witch for her words. Welcoming the new change and everything that would come with it. Only two stood frowning with anxious looks on their faces as they worried how this would affect the rest of the Quarter.
"Boss?" Josh murmured with a shaking head. "I think we're screwed."
Marcel sighed in response, a grim darkness filling his eyes as he watched the jubilant scene before them. "No, Josh." he corrected, turning to him with a serious voice. "We're at war."
Present day
New Orleans, Louisiana
Caroline had wished for the car ride to be longer or the traffic to be worse or time to go slower. Because before she knew it, the driver was rolling up on Marcel's street and she was nowhere near finished explaining everything to Klaus. Having just barely covered the part about misleading Lucien in order to keep him from connecting a direct line between Caroline's bites and Klaus' involvement in them.
"If I'm Marcel's date at the ball and the guest of honor, we're hoping he will drop his suspicions about you and me." she said, nodding towards the hybrid as he sat beside her and silently took it all in. "But for that to really work... We're going to make it look like I'm dating Marcel. And all of that means... that you and I can't be seen together alone by Lucien under any circumstances."
She bit her lip as she glanced away from him slowly, awaiting his reaction. However loud and angry it might get, she still wanted to know how he felt about it. All of it. He surprised her as he remained quiet, but she could still sense his emotions based on his body language alone. A muscle ticked on the side of his jaw as he gritted his teeth tightly, his knuckles were pale from the force of which he held onto his seat and his eyes just barely kept the dark look in them at bay.
The car stopped then and the driver informed them of their arrival, getting out and opening their door. Caroline glanced back at Klaus again as she waited for him to say something, anything. To maybe yell at her for agreeing with Marcel on this new plan. She would even prefer for him to break something or crash his fist into the car window. As long as it broke the tense and suffocating silence between them.
When it seemed like he wouldn't give her a response to the new information, she sighed and nodded to herself. Accepting the inaudible response as she stepped out of the car. The driver held out a hand for her to take, a polite smile on his face as he nodded towards her. "Thank you." she murmured in response as she forced herself to look ahead.
However, the driver's eyes turned away from her, making her follow his direction as she wondered what he was looking at. Just in time to see Klaus stepping out and handing the driver some money. "What are you doing?" she stammered, her eyes wide and confused as he sent the man on his way.
"I'm coming with you." he replied with a shrug as he put the wallet away and nodded at her. "Shall we?"
"Did you hear what I just told you?" she drawled cautiously.
"I did."
"Then you know I have to go up there alone." she pointed out, earning a scoff as he wore a strange smile on his face.
"Do you really expect me to not only go along with your ludicrous plan, but to also encourage some twisted little charade between you and Marcel?" he snickered with raised eyebrows. She gaped at him as he walked past her and held the door open, smirking back with a sigh as he called out to her. "Come on now, love. I'm sure your boyfriend would just hate to be kept waiting." he mocked, causing her to shake her head in disbelief before she headed into the building and followed him up the stairs.
"If you have any other snappy remarks, I suggest you get them all out now." she told him, half-joking and half dead serious as she eyed the man closely.
"I have legions." he told her with a sigh. "But I will save them for your paramour."
She stopped at that and turned wide eyes to him before she responded. "You did understand the part about all of this just being for show, right?" she countered.
"Oh, believe me, Caroline." he chuckled coldly. "I see your view on the matter at hand. Doesn't mean I approve nor agree to it though."
"Approve?" she echoed. "I didn't ask for your permission."
"No, you certainly did not." he muttered out, making her raise an eyebrow as she hurried to catch up with him.
"You're mad at me." she sighed. "I get it... It's fine, really. But maybe stop with the silent treatment and just tell me what you're thinking instead?"
He stopped walking at her words and turned around, a conflicted and strange look on his face as he studied her silently. She groaned as she watched his stoic stance. "I know, I know..." she whined, continuing to ramble on. "You're upset because this plan requires us to keep a distance, and obviously that will make it pretty much impossible for us to clear things up. And we definitely need to clear things up..."
His face didn't change much, but the look in his eyes was enough for her to work with as she continued. "Hey, it was your idea to act like you and I were strangers to each other. Remember?." she protested, receiving a raised brow in response. "I know, sorry. That wasn't fair. You were protecting me, I get it." she sighed and anxiously ran her fingers through her hair before continuing again.
"But you have to look at this past your ragey-alpha male-'I'm the Original Hybrid and everyone does what I want them to because I'll kill them if they don't'-perspective…" she countered, chuckling nervously as she went on. "Because this has nothing to do with you, or even me for that matter. This is about getting to that freaking candle and finding Bonnie. And I didn't really get a lot of say in this myself, you know? I would be way more comfortable pretending to be a… a queer asexual, just to avoid all of this altogether."
She noted a little hint of challenge in his expression and grunted. "What? Is it such a surprise to you that I don't have any interest in playing the doting girlfriend? And to Marcel of all people! It's already way too awkward between the three of us as is."
That got a reaction, his eyes narrowed and his face stiffened. "I thought you said nothing had happened between you two."
"Well, yeah. That's true. I mean technically." she stuttered out in a low mumble. "If you think about it, nothing's happened between you and me either."
He moved closer as his intense gaze drilled into her head. "You are equating whatever you and Marcel apparently have to us?" he bit out with a set jaw, making her gulp shortly.
"Okay, first of all; That's not at all what I was saying. I didn't mean that you were both the same to me or whatever." she rambled nervously. "Although, it is a little weird to think of your whole history together because it's pretty obvious that you've had a significant influence on him. Not to mention that you're already so much alike and–"
His low grunt cut her off as he stared at her with cold eyes. "That's quite enough, Caroline." he demanded firmly.
"But, I'm trying to explain-" she began and stopped when he flashed towards her and pinned her to the wall with his arms.
"Do you realize how close I am to running up there and tearing Marcel apart?" he gritted out, his eyes wild and furious as he glared at her.
"For what?" she retorted in a hiss. "The fact that something might have happened between him and I? Or are you mad that you don't get to control the people around you? Cause it seems to me like you just can't let anyone else make the rules around here."
"You cannot blame me for becoming upset with Marcel while he's working so hard to make you his." he threw back, surprising her and making her furrow her brows together.
"His?" she repeated coldly. "Klaus, I don't belong to anyone. I'm not property, and I sure as hell am no one's to make theirs."
"That I have to disagree with, love." he snickered back.
She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth before meeting his gaze again. "Let me tell you how this is gonna go." she began as she shoved at his chest and quickly spun them. Pressing him into the wall instead as she continued. "You are going to stop acting like some spoiled child that was denied something for the first time ever. You will not do anything to sabotage mine and Marcel's plan simply due to some baseless jealousy–"
"Baseless?" he chuckled and grinned widely. "I assure you, love; my feelings of jealousy are anything but."
"Wow." she scoffed out in disbelief. "You know, I'm not doing this for kicks, Klaus. I am trying to do whatever I possibly can to help Bonnie. Remember her? The whole point to me being here in the first place!? So please, spare me your resentment and hurt feelings because none of this has anything to do with you."
"When are you going to realize that all matters which regards you and your safety has everything to do with me?" he protested with intense eyes.
Her undistorted anger wavered at his words, turning a bitter chuckle out of her in response. "Now there's that ragey-alpha male bullshit I was talking about – right on cue." she chimed. "Why don't you channel that into finding the candle, or getting Lucien to help us or doing anything at all that's actually useful for a change?"
"Oh, I plan to." he crooned darkly before switching places abruptly. Turning her towards the wall as he pushed against her and keept her in place. He pinned her hands above her head and leaned close to her ear. "Better?"
"Klaus..." she gritted as she tried to slip out of his grip, but unless he let her go, it was only futile.
"Ah, yes. I know." he sighed out theatrically. "There I go again... Actively getting in your way."
"I'm serious, Klaus." she warned as his lips turned into a smirk against her temple.
"I'm sure you are, Caroline." he replied, the nonchalant tone eliciting an incredulous chuckle from her. He moved one hand to trace her arm slowly, his lips hovering over her skin and causing a trail of heat to spread through her.
"What's your play here, Mikaelson?" she snickered, her breathy voice just barely hiding how flustered she suddenly was. "You think you can smooth-talk your way back into the plan? Are you really that much of a control freak that you can't ever just let things go?"
"I suppose it takes one to know one." he teased, circling an arm around her waist and pressing closer into her as he left a kiss against her jaw. "However, in this instance I happen to have far more interesting things on my mind."
She fought against a shiver as his lips brushed over her neck. "I'm not done yelling at you."
"By all means, love. Don't mind me." he purred as he reached a sensitive spot near her collarbone. "Or are perhaps your needs for control clouding your judgement?"
"Well, that's not… I-I didn't…" she stammered out and cursed herself for her disloyal body as it refused to follow her commands. "I… You are… just evil."
"Mm… So, I've heard." he hummed before his teeth reached her earlobe and drew a shaky breath from her. His fingertips fluttered lightly at the hem of her blouse. Trailing patterns across her abdomen and earning a sharp hiss from her gritted teeth as his nails scratched against her skin. "Well, don't stop now, Caroline. We were just getting started." he teased.
"Ok, you know what? You're not being fair." she protested, earning a hoarse chuckle in return that only made things worse.
"Evil and unfair." he summed up as his teeth nipped up and down her neck. "Is that all?"
She fought the lust-filled heat that seemed to try and burn her up, but she had trouble thinking straight. Somewhere in the back of her mind she recognized that he wasn't holding her in place anymore, possibly because there was no risk of her trying to spring free. Hell, her legs just barely kept her standing already. Instead, he dug his fingers into her hips, his thumbs skimmed over her waistband. Earning a silent moan from her as she felt him grow hard against her.
"You see, that whole alpha-male-'I'm the Original Hybrid'-stance does come with some benefits too." he murmured. Her head tilted, stretching her neck out to grant him further access as he alternated beneath open-mouthed kisses and harsh sucking at her skin. "And I would just hate for you to forget about them amidst of all this... yelling."
She rocked back into him, the impulse to give into his body accelerating as she couldn't ignore the desperate pleas of her own. Her hands no longer pressed against the wall, instead she reached up and braided her fingers into his hair. Holding onto him as the other hand scratched at his arm and tugged at his jacket sleeve to follow the deep and internal need to keep him in place.
She realized he had spoken again and had to shake her head slightly to try and break through the sudden trance that had overcome her. "What?" she breathed out weakly.
"I asked if you had anything else to get off your chest." he explained, his voice smug and irritating but her willpower wasn't prepared to fight both him and herself at the moment.
"I... I don't know." she whispered. "You're not... I can't think."
"Then I'm doing it right." he countered softly, drawing out a deep sigh from her as she couldn't help but feel utterly helpless in the face of his tempting warmth, enticing scent and fit and toned body pressed against her. "So, Caroline." he murmured, just barely audible over her heavy breathing. "What was that again about you being no one's to claim?"
"I'm… not." she hissed out before his hips thrust into her, a gasp slipping past her lips as she leaned back against him in response.
"How odd." he teased. "Then why do I get the feeling that you are all mine for the taking, love?"
"I… You're..." she stuttered out. "It's not... the same."
"You're right. It is different. I have you, but you're still not mine." he agreed, confusing her despite the heavy lust filling her mind. She shook her head slowly as she took in his words, his lips left a bruising kiss against her pulse-point. "We'll have to do something about that." he whispered into her ear before he abruptly disappeared from her. Nearly causing her to topple over and fall on the floor.
She straightened up and stared back at his retreating form, watching him reach Marcel's door and enter the apartment without missing a single beat. Blinking, she gaped in silence until she heard Marcel's voice as the man reacted to his surprise guest. "Klaus?" he said curiously, shaking her out of her haze then as she finally managed to force her legs to walk in after the hybrid.
"I thought I told you to come alone, Care." Marcel said to her as she met his confused face. Looking quickly at the hybrid on the other end of the room as he poured himself a drink. Wearing a smug expression to match his triumphant eyes.
"Yeah." she breathed out before regaining her focus fully. "That's still the plan." she scoffed cheekily, earning a surprised chuckle from Klaus.
"It's my fault, really." he retorted, grinning as he met her narrowed eyes. "I happen to have the most atrocious influence on her."
She scoffed at that and shook her head in a disbelieving grin. "Yes, as it turns out your sire just doesn't seem to understand how women work." she bit back, tilting her head with challenging eyes. "Or how they deal with disappointment."
"Oh, I'm sure you will be pleased soon enough." he threw back, causing her to widen her eyes and gape at him in chock.
Marcel rolled his eyes at that, turning to Caroline with an exasperated sigh. "Okay, so I guess it's safe to assume that you explained our plan to him?"
"Yup, he knows where we all stand on the matter." she quipped.
"Ah, yes. She certainly put me in my place." he chimed. "I don't believe I have ever seen her so bothered before." She grabbed a book near her and threw it at him then. He ducked it effortlessly and laughed deeply in response. Making her grit her teeth and lunge forward, only to be stopped by Marcel's arm around her.
"Alright, that's enough." he announced as he held her back by her waist, looking down at her with serious eyes. "We got bigger problems to deal with."
Breathing deeply, she finally nodded and regained her focus. "Right… So, what did you find out?" she asked with a sigh, noticing shortly a frown on the hybrid's face as he looked over at them.
She didn't have time to study it closer as Marcel turned her to the living area and away from him, an arm around her as he spoke. "Well, I showed Davina those passages from your friends." he began as she sat down on the sofa and made room for him. That was when a hand appeared on his shoulder, stopping him from sitting next her. Instead he was pushed back and turned to face Klaus' dark eyes.
The hybrid pressed an accusatory finger into the his chest. "Let me make sure we are all on the same page here." he said, a dangerous look on his face as he continued to push his protégé further away from the young blonde. "Your roles are highly unnecessary in Lucien's absence. Therefore, I suggest you start drawing a definitive line between these theatrical illusions and reality, right now."
Caroline watched them with worried eyes as they scowled at each other. Marcel's face suddenly lit up as he spoke, informing her before he even opened his mouth that she would not like what was about to come out of it. "Now, what exactly would that reality be?" he chimed happily, confirming her suspicion.
The hybrid raised his chin as he glared down at the man threateningly. "You may act as intimates within the prudent occasions, but that is the fullest extent to your relationship."
"If you really think that… Well, you must not have gotten the whole story, my friend." Marcel quipped back, making her heart nearly stop as she stared at them in horror.
The hybrid looked like he was going to tear the man apart, making her quickly stand up and pull at his arm. "Klaus!" she called out sharply, demanding their attention as they both continued to glare at each other.
"I'm not done." the Original replied firmly, a quick glance at her before turning to Marcel again. "I don't know what you imagined nor hoped to get out of this roleplay, Marcellus." he told him with a threatening smirk. "But you need to understand, I am not unwilling to compel you to remain at a distance if necessary. Cross the line even once and I will act accordingly."
"And how exactly is that going to help anybody here?" the vampire countered, causing the hybrid's smirk to grow into a twisted grin.
"That is of no concern to me whatsoever." he countered with an eerie calm. "I don't care about your made-up covers as long as you keep your hands to yourself."
"Klaus!" Caroline hissed as she glared at him.
"That applies to you as well, love." he replied before turning to her with a pointed look that slowly blended into a challenging smile. "Or do we already need a recap of our previous conversation?"
"If you're going to turn this into a pissing contest, then believe me - you will be the one to regret not keeping your hands to yourself." she interjected, receiving an entertained eye-roll in reply.
"Whatever you say, sweetheart." he chimed as he gripped her chin and leaned close. "As long as we are all clear on what is expected of us, I am convinced that this whole plan will go on as smoothly as ever." he added before glancing back at the male vampire then. "Any objections, Marcel?"
The younger man wore a displeased frown as he shook his head in response. "No, none at all." he said in agreement, a smirk spreading over his lips before he nodded towards Caroline. "Now do you see why I asked you to come alone?"
Klaus stepped forward at that with a dark smirk and equally dark eyes. "Now do you see why she didn't?" he retorted, making the blonde grit her teeth and walk over to the bar to pour herself a glass of bourbon.
"Should I rob a bank or maybe just spy on celebrities?" she sighed out ceremoniously. "I never did ask for this particular super-power... I mean, flying would just be so much cooler. And yet, here I am. Completely see-through."
Sipping her drink and smacking her lips, she faced the men again with a shrug. "Oh, don't let me interrupt. I'm just weighing the different pros and cons to using my powers of invisibility for solving crimes or getting rich. Maybe I could even do both?" Marcel chuckled a little while Klaus let out a sigh before she spoke again. "Now that we're all done entertaining the most ridiculous ideas and thoughts ever... Could we maybe get back to the Candle?"
The hybrid flashed towards her and grabbed the drink from her hands. "I think I will be needing this far more than you tonight." he crooned with amused eyes. "But make no mistake, Caroline. We will finish our conversation. Soon."
"Oh, you can count on it." she scoffed back with a challenging smile before pushing past him and taking a seat on the sofa again. "So, Marcel. What did Davina have to say about the journal entries?" she asked as Klaus came to take the spot next to her. Sitting down with a secretive little smile on his face as he leaned back in his seat.
"Right." Marcel drawled in reply as he took the couch opposite them. Leaning forward on his lap with a serious expression as he turned to her again. "Care, I gotta ask... Is there any chance that there might be something your friends aren't telling you about?"
"What?" she chuckled nervously. "I-I… No, why would you think that?"
His face became more somber as he glanced away from her. "I was afraid you might say that." he sighed out before reaching into his pocket and pulling out his phone. Placing it on the table between them and pushing it towards her.
Displayed was a photo of some of the translations that Damon had sent them, but there were markings and notes on it that she hadn't seen before… Actually, she hadn't seen any of it before. "He… He didn't send me this one." she stuttered with furrowed brows as she zoomed in and read the new passage. It explained how the candle worked when trying to communicate with it, but it was hard to decipher some of the smudged and faded letters on the page.
"Davina found that in some old archives that the Strix have been storing for centuries." he explained with a frown. "And that's not even the worst part."
"Okay…" she drawled before giving him his phone back.
"You see…" he began with a frown. "She went over everything that had to do with the Candle of Hades, and the covens connected to it. For the most part, she found similar passages of the same translations that your friends did. But this one is clearly missing. And I think there's a reason for that."
"You think Damon and Enzo kept this page from me on purpose?" she asked with a shaking head. "Why?"
"Because this particular passage explains something that they probably didn't want you to know about." he said before turning sympathetic eyes towards her. "The Candle is a tool for breaking through magic, and it can be used in communicating rituals or even for finding people hidden by cloaking spells." he assured her with a nod, taking a breath then before he spoke again. "But it doesn't just work on anybody, it has to be used by someone with magic. And with it being cursed, it could also be turned into a weapon. One that would drain the witch using it of all their powers."
"Wait, that's not how that witch Alzbeta did." Caroline pressed, remembering the backstory of the Candle. "She absorbed the magic from the witches she killed, not the other way around."
"Yes." he drawled slowly. "But that only worked because of the dagger she used in combination with the Candle." he explained, earning a confused frown from her in response.
"What kind of dagger?" Klaus asked then, his eyes focused on the male vampire in front of them as a grim expression played on his face.
Marcel cleared his throat quickly before answering. "According to the Strix's archives, it was made from the 'purest of metals'. Which probably means–"
"Gold." the Original finished, his lips pressed into a firm line.
"Why does that matter?" Caroline asked, eyeing the men closely as they shared a suspicious glance. "Do we need to use a similar dagger too?" she pressed, making Marcel shake his head then.
"That part is unclear." he replied with a shrug. "But something that Davina learned is that the candle feeds off magic. And the harder the spell is to break, the stronger the source needs to be. Now, that would be very dangerous to the witch who uses it and not many would be able to survive such a level of spell." the vampire continued with a frown. "Which is why she thinks there needs to be a different source instead. Like an Original vampire."
"But you don't have magic." she insisted as she looked over at Klaus with furrowed brows.
"That is not entirely true." he interjected cautiously. "We exist due to the most powerful spell that's ever been cast. One made from the most ancient magic and the darkest of forces in the world."
"Right, Esther used the same one that kept Silas alive all those years; the Immortality Spell." she agreed with a nod. "I still don't get where you're going with this."
"This strong cloaking spell that's being used to hide your friend, Bonnie..." Marcel began to explain, turning her to meet his serious expression. "It's possible that a stronger source would be necessary to break it."
"Wait, you mean Klaus needs to be the one to use the candle?" she stuttered with a disbelieving scoff, shaking her head as she turned to the hybrid in question. "Is that what he's saying?"
"I think what Marcel is saying, is that someone could decide that I may be the perfect fuel for this kind of spell. And therefore use the Candle on me." he replied with a set jaw, making her shake her head more profusely then.
"You think Damon knows this? You think he wants to tap into your magic to find Bonnie?"
"Yes." he replied curtly.
"And what, without this golden dagger it wouldn't work?" she pressed, glancing back at Marcel as he shrugged.
"I don't know, honestly. But since the candle absorbs magic and Klaus isn't technically a witch…"
She blinked shortly as she studied the hybrid then with parted lips. "It would hurt you." she concluded, a slight twitch on his face confirming it and making her swallow hard before pushing on. "Would it... Could it kill you?"
"Possibly." he said, glancing over at her with analyzing eyes. "Which is why I reckon Damon Salvatore has a way to incapacitate me. Thereby protecting the bloodline as well as himself from the consequences of locating the young Ms. Bennett."
"What, you mean like some spell?" she pushed, earning a sigh in response. She watched him with wide eyes as she started to understand his reaction better. "You think I would let him." she stated with a hard tone. "You think I would sacrifice you to find Bonnie."
"You were the one that said you would do whatever it may take to help your friend." he cited with a cold smile. "This would certainly fall under such a category, love."
His words brought her to stand up and gape at him, mixed feelings blossoming inside of her. Hurt as well as rage intertwining as she couldn't believe his distrust in her. "No one is using you for any spell, Klaus." she declared with a steady voice, meeting his eyes head on for impact. "I don't care what it takes or what ridiculous plan Damon may or may not have; this is not how we're getting Bonnie back."
She pressed her lips into a firm line as she shook her head at him. "And if you seriously think that I would ever agree with him on this... After everything, after all this time..." she stammered, her voice breaking slightly as she continued. "Then you clearly know nothing about me." He remained silent, looking away from her with something dark and sad flashing across his face. Making her shake her head again as she scoffed incredulously.
"Right." she breathed out, gulping down a lump in her throat as she glanced back at Marcel shortly. "Text me the rest of Davina's findings. I'll see you tomorrow." she requested, walking past the men and heading out the door.
She rushed down the stairs as she felt tears build in her eyes and an awful weight turn in her stomach. A voice screamed in her head, saying that she should've expected this from him. That she should've known that he would never let go of his paranoia and deeply seated habit for not trusting the people around him. But truth be told, she thought she was different. And being proved otherwise was killing her.
When she reached her hotel, she felt the anger flare up again and making her see red. Before she knew what she was doing, she flipped over the furniture in the room one by one. The mirror, the dresser, desk and bed... All of it. Dropping to the floor in the middle of the ruins as she finally let the tears come. Hugging her knees tightly and sobbing into her arms as she blamed herself for the pain.
Because she knew that she could have prevented her heart from breaking this time – if she had followed her instincts and stopped herself from cracking the door open to let him in.
Three years ago
New Orleans, Louisiana
The meat was grilled, the potatoes baked, and the salad prepared, all that was missing was the dinner guest. And as time continued to pass, Marcel worried if perhaps she wouldn't come after all.
He poured himself another glass of bourbon as he leaned back against the bar top, glancing up at the wall mounted clock across the room with a frown. Noting that nearly half an hour had passed already and the risk of Davina Claire not showing up grew more and more serious with each fleeting minute. His phone vibrated and drew his attention away. "Josh, hey." he said as he picked up the call.
"Hey, boss. I didn't want to worry you until we had all the facts. But there's been some issues with a missing day-walker."
"Missing?" he echoed with furrowed brows, shaking his head as a thought occurred to him then. "It's Wilson, isn't it? I thought I was just being paranoid."
"Yeah, I found out that he hasn't checked in with his group in days." the young man explained, causing Marcel to pinch the bridge of his nose in a frustrated sigh.
"Have any ideas on where he's hiding?"
"I have some guys on it, but so far… No." Josh replied with an apologetic tone. "I don't know if it's a problem yet, Marcel. He might show up in a day or two, or someone will find him dead in the woods…"
He chuckled in response as he took in his friend's words. "Right. Do me a favor and talk to Hayley, maybe one of the werewolves knows something."
"Will do."
"Thanks, Josh." he smirked before hanging up, the smile on his face widening as he heard footsteps outside his door just before it opened. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd decided to break our tradition." he called out, raising his eyes to meet the witch as she took cautious steps into the apartment. "You seem to be on a roll there. Breaking treaties and throwing out age-old deals..."
"You're mad." she stated, earning a scoff from him.
"Not mad, D." he countered as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm disappointed."
"Wow... I know you didn't just say that." she scoffed out in disbelief, shaking her head before continuing. "You're never even in the Quarter lately anyways so why do you care about this?"
"Come on, Davina. That's not fair." he protested. "I'm working my ass off to keep the Mikaelson's from killing every Strix witch they find while searching for Aya. I put Josh in charge in my absence to keep good communications between the factions. I even made it a crime for my men to hurt any witch or werewolf in the Quarter and basically forced them to work as protectors for your covens." he listed with a cold chuckle. "I thought, at the very least, you would show enough appreciation for my overwhelming efforts to keep the peace to tell me that you decided to start a freaking war."
"That's not what I'm doing, Marcel." she protested.
"Then what the hell are you doing?"
She sighed and looked away shortly, running a hand through her hair as she seemed to think her answer over. "A witch is dead. A vampire clearly did it. What did you think was going to happen?"
"My men didn't do this, D." he interjected, drawing out a scoff from her. "You don't believe me?"
"Olivia Gardiner didn't bite her own neck, Marcel." she pointed out with cold and narrowed eyes. "Tell me what I'm supposed to believe here."
"Do you even care how this is going to affect the Quarter Treaty?" he bit out, making her press her lips into a firm line.
"Of course, I care! I tried to find a different solution, I tried to keep the witches from throwing blame on your vampires... There's only so much I can do without looking like I'm choosing your faction over my own."
He closed his eyes in a sigh, covering his face with his palms shortly as he fought to clear his head and focus on finding a solution. "So, what happens now? We pull out our guns and march to the state line?"
"I have a plan." she countered, earning a raised brow from him. "There might be a way of dealing with Olivia's killer without pointing any fingers on the Strix."
"Yeah?" he drawled, pouting slightly as he nodded his head. "Food's getting cold. Let's eat and you can tell me all about it."
She gave him a relieved smile in reply as she stepped closer and glanced over at the evening's meal. "Any chance you'll let me have some of that wine?" she chimed with innocent eyes.
"None." he quipped, smiling as he leaned in and left a peck on the top of her head. "But if I really like your plan, I might be willing to offer you a light beer."
Chuckling as she pulled away, she gave him a pointed look and rolled her eyes. "Fine." she sighed out in defeat, grabbing a plate and beginning to serve up her portion, muttering to herself and drawing a deep chuckle from the vampire as she did. "Guess I can always ask again tomorrow night."
Present day
New Orleans, Louisiana
The strange noise made her stretch her arms and legs out as she wondered where it had come from. She wasn't sure when she had fallen asleep, or how she had ended up in the bed. But that wasn't what irked her the most.
No, it was the whispers. Something was calling for her in the dark room.
She got up and carefully moved to follow the sound, her eyes narrowed and cautious as she took in her surroundings.
Where am I? Her thought echoed through the wind, flashing past her and bringing a cold shiver to rush down her spine.
Where you belong.
The response hit her hard, making her freeze up as fear built in her chest. It occurred to her that there was nothing in the room with her. She was alone in the vast space, seeing nothing but darkness all around. Then the whispering began again, turning her to look to her side and find a silhouette.
Who are you? she asked as she walked towards the shadow. It became clearer with each step, forming and shaping into a person as she reached for it.
Placing her hand on the stranger's shoulder, she turned them around and gaped in shock. You, she breathed out as the ghost smiled at her in response.
No, Caroline. You.
As soon as the words had been uttered, she felt a stabbing pain in her chest. Looking down she saw a large wooden stake buried into her heart. She coughed up blood, her hands shook as her body began to break down and desiccate. Falling to the floor, she met the ghost's eyes and called out to it with a gargled voice.
Why? she asked, a light chuckle spreading in the dark in response.
The shadow shook its head and laughed on, the sound fading as the distance between them grew. Soon she was alone again, she lied down with her hands wrapped around the stake. Her blood spread out beneath her and her eyes fluttered close as everything started to blur away. Just as she was about to succumb to her injury, a voice shouted in the night.
Wake up!
A sharp gasp escaped her as she sat up straight from the bed then. Her hands and eyes examining her body and not finding any blood or wounds or anything. She was fine.
"Hi, Care." the familiar voice threatened to break her heart as she looked across the room to find a guest. Sitting in the armchair, moonlight enveloping her as she met the vampire's gaze with a smile.
"Bonnie?" she breathed out, unsure if she was still dreaming or not. She didn't dare move or even look away, afraid that if she did her friend would disappear.
"I've been trying to reach you for a while now." the witch admitted with a short chuckle, shaking her head as she glanced around the room. She stood up from the chair and walked to the dresser nearby, her hand brushing over something that Caroline couldn't see. "I started to think that you were shutting me out."
"Why would I do that?" the blonde stammered in reply.
Bonnie shrugged, turning back to her then as she leaned against the drawers with a sigh. "You weren't supposed to come here, Caroline."
"Here?" she echoed slowly. "You mean New Orleans?"
"Yes." the witch confirmed with a nod, her eyes sad and tired as she studied her from afar. "You weren't supposed to come for me."
"What? What does that even mean?"
"It means..." she drawled, turning towards the balcony doors as her face lit up and revealed a strange color on her skin. Traces in her features tugged at the vampire's heart as she recognized what she was seeing on her young friend.
"Bonnie." Caroline whispered, shaking her head slowly. "You're..." the word refused to leave her as her chest ached at the mere thought.
"Yes, Care." she said, looking back at her then with pale eyes as she continued. "I'm dying."
"Wh-" the vampire cut herself off as warm tears covered her cheeks. "Where are you, Bonnie?"
"I wish I knew."
"How can we find you? How can we save you?" the blonde pressed, earning a serious frown from her friend then. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"I'm losing the connection." she hissed, suddenly shaking as she raised a hand to massage her temple. "I don't have a lot of time." she bit out, her face constricting as she fought against whatever was fighting against her.
The witch walked forward but stumbled and leaned against the wall instead. "You need to listen to me, Care." she panted out as her breathing grew heavy and strained. "You can't trust him."
"Him? Him who?" the vampire repeated, dread filling her as she thought it over. "You mean Klaus?"
"No not..." Bonnie gritted and shook her head, shutting her eyes as she groaned shortly in pain. "Not Klaus."
"Then who? Damon, Enzo? Who am I not supposed to trust!?" Caroline pressed desperately as the witch fell to the floor with a loud grunt. "Bonnie?"
"You can't trust him, he-he's going-" she spat out, her voice breaking with a heart-wrenching cry as she bent forward in anguish. "He has the dagger!"
"What dagger!?" the vampire called out in panic as the woman struggled to look up at her again. The sight drawing a terrified gasp from the blonde as she saw Bonnie's face covered in blood, coming from her eyes, nose and ears. "Oh my god." she breathed as she sprung to action then, jumping out of the bed and reaching for the witch. But just as she did, Bonnie was gone.
Caroline slumped down at the space she'd left behind, staring at the floorboards with wide eyes. "Bonnie?" she whispered, her hands touching the empty spot. "Bonnie!" she called out, waiting for her to reappear, to explain, to tell her what was going on. Instead, a hand touched her shoulder and made her jump up in chock. A face suddenly covering her sight as she gasped with fear.
"Easy there, love." he murmured, his green eyes sweeping over her with worry as he cupped her cheeks. "You were dreaming."
"What?" she breathed out heavily, looking past him then to see the wrecked room around her. The destroyed furniture and broken glass... "Dreaming." she echoed as she stared at the hybrid kneeling by her on the floor. "I was dreaming?" she questioned, shaking her head as she tried to catch the memories before they slipped away from her mind. "No, no I wasn't. I saw her. She was here."
"Who?" he asked with furrowed brows, stroking the side of her face gently.
"Bonnie. She was here. I talked to her. It was real, she... She was real." she insisted. "It wasn't a dream."
He nodded in response. "Okay." he said reassuringly, his eyes still colored with concern as he tried to give her a smile. "I believe you." he added with another nod. "What did she say to you?"
"She-" the blonde began before shaking her head as it already started to become cloudy and distant. "She was trying to warn me about something."
"What, Caroline?" he murmured, brushing her hair away as she clung to his arms.
"Someone. She didn't tell me who..." she whispered, closing her eyes as she tried to force the memory back into her mind again.
You can't trust him, the words floated around in her hazy thoughts. But it felt like she was missing something. Something important. "I don't know." she stuttered, biting her lip hard to keep from crying as she felt the desperation and fear grip her heart. "I don't know... I don't understand. She-she didn't explain it, she didn't have time... I don't know what she meant."
"Shh..." Klaus dried her eyes tenderly before pulling her into his chest and holding her close. "It's alright, sweetheart. We'll figure it out."
She wrapped her arms around his torso and clung to him with a short nod, unable to find her voice as she sniffled in response. Burying her face into his open jacket and taking a few deep breaths to calm herself. His warm hand stroked her back and his steady pulse filled her ears, making it easier to shut everything out and instead focus on him.
He leaned into her hair, hugging her tighter as he breathed her in. Enshrouding her with such serene comfort and strength, creating such a soothing safe haven and showering her with affection. She absorbed it all, wanting to hold onto it and lock it away somewhere. To keep it within reach for all the times when she needed solace and found none.
It wasn't until a long moment later that either of them dared to move, Klaus sat back against the wall and she rested her head in his lap. His fingers braided through her hair and massaged her scalp, stroking her neck softly and creating a path down her shoulder and arm before returning to repeat the motion again.
"I owe you an apology." he murmured when he broke the peaceful quiet between them.
"For what?" she whispered, turning her face to look up at him and meet his sincere eyes. A tiny smile played on his lips as he watched her, tracing the side of her face with the back of his fingers.
"For assuming that you were plotting against me." he responded silently. "For believing that you were manipulating me, using me. Planning to hurt me."
"Yeah." she breathed out. "That was pretty dumb of you."
He chuckled at her words, making her grin in response as she nestled closer. "Historically so." he agreed, earning a giggle from her in return.
"If I'm being honest, I can't really blame you." she admitted with a low voice. "I don't exactly have the best track record of coming to you with pure intentions, Klaus."
"Perhaps." he sighed. "But I feel as if we were moving past that, making efforts to change things... Expecting the worst of someone isn't particularly helpful in such a process."
"No, not really." she concluded, sitting up and meeting his gloomy expression with a kind smile. "But apologizing is." she noted. "I don't think you would have done that a few years ago. Mainly because you never would have admitted to being wrong in the first place."
An amused grin formed on his face as he shook his head at that. "Well, it's easy to stick by your actions when you are rarely wrong about anything, love."
She rolled her eyes in reply. "Of course." she drawled with an entertained smirk. "Is that why you showed up here? You wanted to tell me about all the times you were right?"
His face sobered slightly, something changing in his expression as his gaze scanned her features. Something alluring played within his green irises, drawing her in closer. The magnetic pull made her close the distance between them, leaning in and brushing her lips against his in a light kiss. The delightful feeling that lit up her chest made her smile before leaning in again.
He brought his hand up to hold her face, returning the kiss as he threaded his fingers through her hair and pulled her deeper into him. The sincere nature of his warm lips was a contrast to what had happened at the apartment. That kiss had been urgent and the product of something deep between them that had thus far been deprived and starving for too long. It had acted as an extension to their fever-kiss, filled with need and lust.
This one however, threatened to steal her soul. It left a profound imprint on her heart and spoke to something that had been safely hidden away for ages. Or so she had thought. But whatever number of layers she had covered it in, the kiss broke all defenses down and left the protected element out in the open. When she broke away, she looked up at his awestricken face with a similar one of her own. Her hand rested against his chest and felt his heart thunder underneath, wondering how he had managed to touch hers with only a kiss.
She let out a breathy chuckle as a wide smile etched on her lips. "Now that was different." she noted, her insides fluttering like crazy when he grinned back.
"If you say so." he teased with an amused eye-roll, stroking her cheek gently before nodding ahead. "On another note, what exactly happened here?" he asked, causing her to glance at the state of her room with a shy giggle. "First the apartment at the Lumiere and now your hotel… I'm starting to think that this might be how you treat all homes which are not your own."
Laughing at that, she shook her head and looked back at him. "Help me clean up?" she asked with an innocent smile.
"You could just have the staff get you another room." he pointed out, making her scoff.
"Right, but then you would have to return your secret key to this one." she chimed, causing him to widen his eyes in surprise. "What?" she pressed with a chuckle. "You thought I would buy the balcony story without a second thought?"
He pressed his lips together as he nodded, amusement and traces of pride flashing across his face over having been found out. "Well, since you don't seem to mind me keeping it. I suppose I could simply get a new one."
"Sounds fair." she declared, getting off the floor and fixing her hair shortly. She bit her lip in a grimace as her eyes landed on the smashed mirror as it was splayed out on the floor. "How many years of bad luck do you think that is?"
"What, that?" he asked with a shrug as he stood up beside her. "Just a century or two."
She turned a skeptic gaze at him and pursed her lips. "Oh, well that's just too bad." she sighed out dramatically. "You should probably stay away from me and my jinxing mojo until my slate is all clean again. Wouldn't want to risk you catching any of that bad luck too."
He smirked before pulling her into his arms and tilting her chin to meet her eyes. "Yeah, that's not happening." he insisted, leaning down and kissing her again and making her heart do cartwheels in her chest. "Now, pack your things, love. I'll get you that room prepared right away. Might even choose an upgrade as well."
"Deal." she grinned against his lips, kissing him one last time before he pulled back with a playful smile on his face. She stopped him before he reached the door. "Klaus?" she said, turning him to look over at her again. "I'm really glad you came to tell me how right you are." she teased.
He shook his head in a laugh at that. "Any time, sweetheart." he crooned, throwing her a wink before he left and closed the door behind him.
She stood with a face-splitting grin and fought against the joyful squeal that threatened to escape her. Her hands covered her mouth as she took a long breath. Shaking her head in an excited shiver before she decided to focus her newfound energy on the packing. Unless she wanted to risk jetting up into the sky instead.
Three years ago
New Orleans, Louisiana
"So?" Davina pressed as she eyed the vampire across the table, chewing the inside of her cheek as he seemed deep in thought. It was simple, at least to her. Figure out exactly who killed Olivia Gardiner and allow the witches liberty to bring them to justice, no matter what. It would secure the future peace between the factions as well as create a better connection between the witches and the Strix.
Of course, it would demand a lot more from Marcel than her and her witches in this scenario. Because he'd need to promise to punish the responsible party, before even knowing who it was. She hoped that would prove a point to her coven as well, show them that even the vampires were willing to take a leap of faith in the name of the Treaty. Maybe, that way, she will have united the covens without compromising the relationships between the factions. All she needed was this one vampire, and then everyone would be able to go back to normal again.
Marcel got up from his chair and walked towards the kitchen, making her stretch her neck to try and follow his movements. He got something from the fridge and returned again, standing by her side of the table as he unscrewed a bottle and placed it before her. "As promised." he crooned, a warm smile on his face as he handed her the beer.
"Does this mean that you're in?" she pressed cautiously as he got back to his seat.
"On one condition." he chimed, leaning forward against the table as he pointed a firm glance her way. "I want twenty-four hours."
"For what?"
He smiled shortly before shrugging in response. "I want to interrogate the vampire who did this, find out what his motives where or if he even had any in the first place." he explained. "Once you have a name, give me a day to deal with the traitor myself. After that, they're all yours."
She pursed her lips shortly as she mulled it over, sipping the beer as she considered his offer. It could work, she thought. Wondering shortly if there was a risk for Marcel going back on the deal once they knew who the vampire was. Leap of faith, she repeated to herself and nodded. "Okay, I accept your terms." she told him, reaching forward and holding out her hand.
"And I yours." he grinned as they shook hands. Holding onto her a moment longer and pulling her to study him as he spoke again. "By the way... Your speech was great. Very presidential." he chimed, bringing her to shy away nervously and pull her hand out of his.
"You were spying on me?" she pressed with a scoff, shaking her head in disbelief.
"You call it spying, I call it looking out for you." he shrugged, beaming at her proudly.
"Whatever." she snickered incredulously, making him chuckle again.
His phone rang then, bringing him to look it over before picking up. "Have something for me?" he asked, his tone of voice informing her of the caller's identity.
"Hi Josh!" she chimed in.
He smiled at that before speaking again. "What house?" he said. The muttering that followed wasn't audible to the witch as she studied him patiently. "What would he doing up there?" Marcel pressed then, the question making her raise a brow in interest as he went on. "Yeah, let me know what you find out."
"Find out about what?" she asked as he hung up, making him sigh in response.
"Apparently a day-walker of mine is hiding out in some house up by Pearl River." he explained with a shrug before clasping his hands together ceremoniously. "Onto more pleasant subjects." he declared, watching her with a playful smirk. "Dessert?"
She chuckled softly as he brought another smile from her. "Do you even need to ask?" she pressed, receiving a wink from the vampire as he got up and hurried to fetch the final meal of the night.
Present day
New Orleans, Louisiana
The new room was an upgrade, as promised. Nearly twice the size of the other one, a double-shower and huge bathtub in the en suite and a California King bed in the main room. The latter called out to her as soon as she saw the puffed-up pillows and premium duvet covers. Klaus carried her bags in when she jumped up and spread out over the heavenly mattress.
"I reckon you approve?" he teased, making her turn to look over at him with a delighted sigh.
"Mm, something like that." she chimed. He shook his head in a smirk as he put her stuff away and took off his jacket. "Klaus Mikaelson, what do you think you're doing?" she pressed with feigned outrage.
"Staying." he replied with a shrug, taking his shoes off and flashing over to pin her down on the bed, bringing a surprised laugh out of her.
"I didn't say that you could!" she countered, earning an eye-roll in reply.
"Well, if you want me to leave then all you have to do is get me off." he quipped, causing her to gasp and hit his shoulder in chock. He chuckled and shook his head. "Calm down, Caroline. I meant literally." he corrected with a grin, circling his arms around her as his weight pressed her into the bed. She pushed at him and fought to wiggle out of his hold, everything proving absolutely hopeless and bringing her to scoff out a sigh.
"Well, this is just a total and wasteful misuse of vamp-strength." she snickered defiantly. His chuckle rumbled and shook her as he settled in, his head resting beneath her chest and his arms wrapped around her waist. She let out another defeated sigh and decided to rest instead, bringing a hand to play with his hair as she closed her eyes.
Sleep came quickly to the tired vampire.
And so did the nightmares.
The wind blew past her as she ran. Twigs from trees and bushes ripped at her clothes and cut her skin. She couldn't afford to care. She didn't have time to stop and tend to her wounds. She needed to keep going. A dark forest spread out before her as she hurried to get as far away as possible.
She stumbled against some larger rocks and fell to the ground with a gasp. Hurrying to get back up, she abruptly found out that she had twisted her ankle. Fuck, she whispered to herself over and over as she gripped her leg with a pained groan.
Caroline.
It found her.
Ignoring her throbbing foot, she staggered off the ground and continued to run again, limping and faltering with each step as she did. She hissed through clenched teeth as she felt her heart pump in an arduous beat, making her breathing strained and heavy.
You can't run, Caroline.
She whimpered out in exhaustion as she worked hard to ignore the voice chasing her. Leaning against a tree for a second to catch her breath, she heaved and panted as she tried to think of where to go next. Her eyes went to her hurt ankle, gulping down the pain as she shook her head and forced herself to focus.
Don't fight me.
It called out to her again, making her turn quickly to look around the area. Trying to spot where it was coming from so that she could run in the opposite direction. Leave me alone, she bit out, closing her eyes in a deep sigh. Leave me alone. Leave me alone.
I can't do that, the voice was closer now.
Why not? she challenged, freezing up when the face showed up before her then.
Because you need me, Caroline. the ghost replied with a tilted smile. And I need you. Cold hands gripped her then and pushed her into the ground. Keeping her pinned down as she struggled against its hold.
"What do you want from me!?" she yelled out, earning a snicker from the shadow then.
You know what I want, it said, causing her to shake her head profusely.
"I don't, I swear I don't. You have the wrong person." she pleaded, her voice breaking as she felt the fear closing in on her heart and restricting her breathing. "I don't have it." she tried again, but the ghost simply grinned with dark eyes at her words. "I don't!" she bellowed. "I don't have it, I don't know where it is!"
Her shoulders shook as she fought to push her attacker off. "No! I told you!" she cried desperately. "I don't know anything! I swear!"
"Caroline!" the firm voice cut through her mind and hit her hard as she suddenly found herself staring up at Klaus.
She blinked away the lingering vision, watching him with bewildered eyes as she didn't understand his frightened face. Until she looked down and found her hand pressed into his chest and wrapped around his heart.
Gasping sharply, she pulled away from him and backed into the bedframe. "Klaus?" she whispered, glancing down at her blood covered hand with panted breaths. Shaking her head quickly, she closed her eyes and focused on her breathing again. "It's not real." she whispered to herself, trying to force her body to wake up from the awful dream. "It's not real. It's not real."
"Caroline." Klaus called on her, making her shake her head harder.
"No. Stop. It's not real. You're not real." she breathed out, covering her face with her trembling hands and hitting herself with her palms. He held her wrists back then and forced her to meet his eyes.
"Caroline." he repeated with a sympathetic frown as she stared at him in response.
Her breathing started to slow down as she took in his features, convincing her more and more with each passing second that she was no longer dreaming. This time.
"I..." she stammered as she looked at the blood on his shirt in disbelief. "I could have killed you."
"Well, that's unlikely." he corrected with a little smile. "But it wasn't a pleasant experience nonetheless."
"Seriously, Klaus!" she protested his tries to laugh at the matter, examining her hand again with a shaking head. "How did I do that?"
His teasing expression faded as he studied her, reaching up to wipe her face with his thumbs. "Let's just say that whatever was going through your mind just now..." he began softly, holding onto her with both hands before continuing. "It deeply frightened you. Terrorized you even." he said, breathing deeply as he furrowed his brows. "I heard your heart racing. When I tried to calm you... It seemed like your dream had quite a tight grip on your consciousness." he explained, a little smile on his lips as he spoke again. "Rest assured, I won't be attempting anything similar again."
She couldn't help but chuckle at that, shaking her head in disbelief. "I didn't even hear you. I was..." her voice faded as she thought back to the dream but felt it start escaping her already. "I thought I was being attacked."
He lied down then and pulled her into his side, wrapping an arm around her and stroking her hair. "Don't worry, love. You can go back to sleep." he murmured sweetly. "There will not be any other nightmares like that tonight. I promise."
She nodded into his chest and settled closer, her eyes already feeling heavy as the adrenaline left her body. "Okay." she whispered, tilting her head and pressing her face into the nape of his neck. Breathing deeply as she let a calmness wash over her at his proximity.
Soon she slept again, but there was never any darkness or haunting shadows. Instead, she saw incredible places plucked from Klaus' mind. Beaches with chalk white sand and turquoise water. She heard birds singing and leaves rustling in the wind all around her as she rode a horse through a grand and beautiful national park. She found a clearing somewhere deep in the woods that led her to a high and vibrant waterfall. She sat down on some cliff rocks, looking over at the water with a smile on her face. Lying back in the middle of a colorful meadow as she enjoyed the warming sun and cooling breeze.
Not a single moment was dark, or cold. She was never afraid, never running, never hurt. She was safe.
When morning came, Caroline was met with a soft smile from the hybrid before he leaned in and kissed her forehead. She smiled back before getting out of bed, searching through her bags and collecting some toiletries and clothes.
"I'm just gonna take a shower." she informed him, turning to find Klaus passed out.
It occurred to her that her nightmare-free sleep might have been tiring on the Original, as he had probably needed to stay awake to keep her mind from filling with the terrorizing darkness again. A twinge of guilt tugged at her as she watched him, breathing deeply and heading to the shower then.
She was quick to wash off and get dressed, leaving her hair to air-dry since she didn't want to make too much noise. Grabbing her purse and phone, she crossed the room and turned to Klaus again, studying his relaxed breathing and parted lips with a smile.
An urge hit her to touch his face or stroke his hair, but she resisted out of fear of waking him. Walking carefully, she left the room and headed for the day's errands. A fluttering in her stomach and a tiny smile on her lips as she did.
Three years ago
Pearl River, Louisiana
Josh Rosza got out of the car and nodded to the blonde vampire in the passenger seat. "Alright, Oakland Drive." he announced, gaining a frown from his companion in response.
"Are you sure this is the right place, Josh?" she pressed, shaking her head as she looked out onto the road with old houses and even older mobile homes.
"Honestly, no." he said with a shrug as she came to stand beside him. "But it's worth checking out at least." he added before walking towards the house numbered 1107. "Coming, Quinn?" he called out as he noticed the other vampire hesitating.
"Yeah." she muttered before following him onto the porch.
The young man gazed through the dark and covered windows with a pout. "It seems empty." he noted. "And sounds it too."
"Like I said, it's possible Wilson isn't here." Quinn quipped, receiving a pointed glare in response. "Fine, sorry. No more protests." she sighed out as she admitted defeat.
He shook his head shortly before reaching for the door handle and stepping inside. Just as he opened the door, both of them shared an understanding look. "You smell that?" he asked, making her nod in reply. Josh turned to the dark house again and took cautious steps down the hall as he followed the familiar scent of blood.
There was already an eerie feeling to the house without it, all the way from the squeaky floorboards to the dusty furniture. And as he tried to turn the lights on, flipping the switch a few times before concluding that there wasn't any electricity either – it officially checked all of the 'creepy ghost house'-boxes.
Nodding towards some stairs, he gestured for the woman to go over the second floor while he continued on the current one. She understood the silent command and headed upstairs as he followed the hallway further. He noted the absence of personal trinkets or family photos and any other stuff that normally filled a home. It only added to the abandoned ambience as he wondered why on earth Wilson Peters would want to hide out in this particular house.
When he reached the kitchen, Josh found the source of the smell and gulped down hard at the sight. Scowling as he stared at the dead body of their missing vampire, a hole in his chest and his heart on the other side of the room. "Geez…" he hissed, bringing his phone out to call it in to Marcel.
Something caught his eyes and made his hand freeze mid-air, a bloody handprint against a panel door. He walked over to examine it closer, noticing that the handle was dismantled as someone had chosen the more violent way of picking the lock.
"Upstairs is clear…" Quinn called out as she came to join him in the room, stopping short with a gasp when she found the corpse on the floor.
Josh turned to meet her dread-filled eyes with a frown. "Explains why he hasn't checked in lately." he noted grimly before turning to the mystery door again. "And whatever got him killed, seems to be down here." he added as he stepped forward to reveal a narrow set of stairs leading to a lower floor.
"Storm cellar?" she asked, earning a nod of agreement from him in response.
"Looks like it." he mused before heading down then, keeping his eyes and ears sharp as they reached the bottom steps. "This doesn't make any sense." he muttered as he looked around the dark basement, shaking his head in confusion as he glanced back at Quinn. "Did Wilson try to protect this from someone?"
"Why would he get himself killed over an empty cellar?" she countered.
He kneeled by the floor as he noticed some hints of blood, pressing his fingers against it and smelling shortly. The scent wasn't familiar to him whatsoever, but one thing was clear. "I don't think it used to be empty." he drawled with a sigh. "Which means that Wilson died protecting whatever was down here."
"And whoever killed him, took it." she concluded as they shared a grim look of agreement.
Three years ago
New Orleans, Louisiana
Davina had asked the Sisterhood to help with the ritual, placing Olivia Gardiner's body on the floor with special herbs and flowers circling her. They lit seven candles in total and placed them all strategically in the room as the Claire witch opened up her spell book. A sigh leaving her as she felt worried of what she might find when diving into the dead girl's memories.
"We're ready." Rose, one of the Strix witches, informed her with a timid smile. "Let's find out who murdered our sister."
Davina returned the smile shortly, nodding before she straightened her back. "Alright everyone, get in position." she said, causing the others to take a stand around the circle with their hands stretched out towards the body. She looked down at the spell one last time to make sure she had the words right in her mind, then she sat down by Olivia's head and placed her fingers against her cold temples. Giving the witches a final nod before they began the chant.
"Memoro animus retinenta. Memoro animus retinenta. Memoro animus retinenta…"
She felt the familiar tug of magic within her as she quickly connected with the witch's mind. Seeing visions and flashes of the events leading up to her death as the chant went on. She watched the young girl meet someone, a man dressed in a sleek suit, his face was shaved, and his hair styled. He looked proper and polite, until he smiled. That was when something flickered in his eyes, alarming Olivia when the man approached her.
Davina saw her as they met up again later, standing outside some gates that felt unfamiliar to the brunette. The man was talking to her, asking Olivia if she had any final wishes. But whatever they had spoken of aside from that escaped her. Olivia was crying but there was a sense of relief on her face. She was happy to die and it broke Davina's heart. Soon the man bit into her neck, but he didn't kill her right away. Instead, he put her down next to a grave and watched her until she slowly bled to death.
Then she watched the man pick her up again and start running, taking the vision with him as he suddenly stood talking to someone new. A man with his back turned to the killer, keeping their face hidden from the witch as she tried to hold the connection a little longer. She still didn't have a name, she still didn't know what kind of deal the man had made with Olivia or why he killed her. She needed something, anything…
That was when the man's friend suddenly turned around. A pair of familiar dark eyes met her as she gaped at the view. "Well done, mate." he said to the strange man. "It is time for the next step."
She was pulled out of the spell with a sharp gasp, her hands shaking as some of the witches near her knelt by her side. "What did you see?" one of them asked, the question bringing a cold horror deep within Davina's soul.
"Davina." her name was called out and interrupted her response as Lynnette came in and hurried to her side. "It's Marcel, he says it's urgent." she explained and offered a phone to her then.
Clearing her throat, the witch fought to shake all feelings of dread and fear as she focused on getting the information to her friend. As promised. "I've been calling for hours, D!" he told her with a half-heartedly scolding voice. "I have big news."
"Yeah? I actually do too…" she muttered quietly as she stepped out of the room to get some privacy.
"Mine first." he requested cheerfully. "Freya thinks she has a location on the remaining Strix witches."
Davina blinked in surprise at that. "What? How?"
"Apparently, those pentagrams you guys found based on strange weather and other kinds of magical activity - they make up a pattern that showed up in a very few other places in the world." he explained, chuckling with relief as he went on. "I think this is it, D. I think we're done. We have them. I think it's finally over."
His joy was contagious as it brought a little smile to her face. "That's great, Marcel." she chimed, biting her lip as she hesitated to change his mood with her own information. Knowing it wouldn't bring him anything other than anger and grief.
"Alright, what was your news?" he asked, making her gulp shortly. "Did you get a name?" he pressed on.
"No, we weren't able to do that." she began with a grimace. "It seems like Olivia didn't even know the name of her killer either… But we did get something; a face."
"Okay, did you recognize them? Who was it?"
"Marcel…" she sighed out with a shaking head as she forced the words out. "It's Lucien." she said grimly, scowling as she tried to keep the rage from taking over her voice. "Lucien Castle ordered Olivia's murder."
Present day
New Orleans, Louisiana
The preparations for the Strix ball started just after breakfast but lasted until late in the afternoon. After having chosen everything from the caterers, flower arrangements, table placements and all else, they were now surveying their planned venue for the event. But Caroline had begun to feel tired somewhere between choosing the mini beignets for dessert and booking the Louis Armstrong-cover band.
Despite the last part of her night having been orchestrated by a certain hybrid to keep her from having nightmares, the former part had managed to still take its toll on her physical and mental state. And her exhaustion only grew as they went on, causing her to struggle with focusing as Josh and Marcel guided her through the Marriott's Sheraton Hotel.
They had plans for placing guards in every exit and compelling the staff to keep an eye out for strange activity or suspicious luggage – but the various security preparations were hard to follow. She was led towards another ballroom as the men tried to figure out the most secure locale for the event. The vampires seemed like they had it all under control, which she was happy to about as she could stand back and let them take the lead instead. Spotting a bar across the room, she headed towards a bartender as he stood cleaning glasses behind it.
"Could I offer a drink to the lady?" the freckled man asked kindly, her smile just barely reaching her eyes as she took a seat and leaned against the bar.
"One or ten… Just something strong, please." she muttered, rubbing her temples as she tried to muster up some resemblance of her usual social skills. "It's been a long day." she explained, earning a sympathetic smile from the man.
"In that case…" he drawled while filling up a glass with some whiskey and placing it before her. "First one's on the house."
"Thanks." she sighed out as he returned to cleaning glasses again. Leaving her to nurse her drink in peace as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the stiff drink.
Flashes passed before her as she tried to relax, images from the night's terror filled dreams. It really had shaken her to her core and tired her out like nothing else before. She had to work hard to resist going back to her hotel and sleep the next week off. The bitter reality not inciting any motivation at all as her numerous responsibilities only continued multiplying by the hour.
Two days until the Strix ball, the reminder was not nearly as comforting as she had hoped.
She felt his presence before he spoke up, turning her eyes to meet the concerned exoression on the Original hybrid's face. "Hi." she said softly, earning a smile in response. "You're not supposed to be here." she pointed out, throwing back the last of her drink and signaling for the bartender to refill it.
"I must disagree. I don't believe I should be anywhere else right now." he proclaimed warmly as he reached for her chin and turned her gaze back to him again. "You don't look like you're doing too well."
She snickered in response, leaning into his touch as he cupped her cheek. "That's just so not what a girl wants to hear after spending the night with a guy." she teased, bringing a tiny smirk to his lips despite the worried look in his eyes.
"How are you feeling, Caroline?" he asked softly, looking so pained and sad that it made her eyes burn with exhausted tears. She wasn't sure how to respond to his question, how to describe the hollow tiredness in her body and mind. Instead, she moved closer and pressed her face to his chest, wanting to hide away from the world for a moment.
He wrapped an arm around her, stroking her hair and bringing her into his warm comfort as she breathed him in. It took a second before she remembered that they were in public, pulling back as she cleared her throat and dried her eyes just in case any tears made it through after all. "Sorry." she whispered.
"Don't be." he replied, his touch lingering as he slowly brought his hand to brush back a strand of her hair before letting go. "You're having dinner with Lucien this evening, correct?" he asked, making her nod slowly.
"Yeah." she muttered, reaching for the refilled glass and drinking it all in one quick move.
"Don't stay at Marcel's tonight." he said, turning her to study his serious face with a raised brow.
"Where should I be staying then?" she challenged, bringing another smirk to his lips.
"Our room."
His voice made it sound like the most natural thing in the world, like there was no other answer to that question. She furrowed her brows as she studied his face. "Don't you need sleep too?"
"Speaking of which, that was quite the forlorn sight this morning. Waking up to find you gone." he mused making her frown with guilt.
"Klaus, at least one of us should be avoiding sleep deprivation, you know." she insisted as he reached for her face again, brushing his thumb over her jaw as he leaned close.
"I don't believe spending the night apart will help either of us, sweetheart." he chimed, earning a sigh from her in response.
"You don't have to worry, they're just nightmares. They happen." she told him with a shrug. "I've had phases like this before, it always passes with time."
"That brings me little to no reassurance, love." he interjected with a frown.
"Well, you'll just have to find some other traumatized vampire to pass the time with." she scoffed, cringing at her own words as she saw his pained eyes. "Sorry. I lash out when I'm tired."
"I had hoped to ease some of your exhaustion with keeping your nightmares at bay." he sighed out, causing her to turn a sad smile to him.
"You did. It's just not a sustainable solution." she countered.
"I don't care." he retorted. "Sustainable or not, if it works then I'm doing it."
She closed her eyes as his determination tugged at her heartstrings. Leaning into him again, he held onto the back of her head and pressed his lips to the top of her forehead shortly. She gripped his jacket absentmindedly, wanting to stay near him a little longer. "I'm guessing you came here for a reason." she muttered as he pressed his face into her hair, breathing deeply as if sharing her urge to stay.
"I'm supposed to speak with Marcel." he sighed out.
"About what?" she asked softly, tilting her head up and studying his face closely.
His eyes swept over her slowly as he brushed his thumbs across her cheekbones. "We have some visitors coming in from Baton Rouge who need help with accommodations."
"Who do you know in Baton Rouge?" she quipped with furrowed brows, studying his shaking head with a confused pout.
"Just some old friends." he told her with a sweet smile. "I would normally invite them to stay at the manor, but I was hoping Marcel would take care of them this time."
"Because of the renovations?" she pressed with a smirk, causing him to chuckle breathily.
"Among other reasons, yes."
Her face fell shortly as she realized he needed to leave, and she wasn't really ready yet. She looked down at her hands as they fidgeted with his jacket zipper. "You should probably go." she said hoarsely as even her voice disagreed with the words.
"Probably." he said as he still stayed in place, tracing a finger down her jawline slowly. "One would expect the centuries to have brought upon a better sense of discipline..." he scoffed with an incredulous chuckle.
She couldn't help but smile a little at that as she glanced up at him again. "Is it bad that I don't mind it at all?" she chimed, earning a grin in response.
"Well, it certainly doesn't make things any easier, sweetheart." he countered, making her giggle in response. She bit her lip before leaning into his chest again, her hands wrapped around his torso as she held onto him. Just barely resisting the urge to cling onto him and never let go. He pulled her closer to him in return, his fingers braiding in her hair as he scratched at her scalp attentively.
For a moment, Caroline felt like everything would actually be alright. She breathed deeply, absorbing as much of his scent and strength as she possibly could. His proximity proving much more relaxing and bringing more comfort than all the drinks in the world combined.
A voice nearing them made the two break away as Marcel and Josh rounded a corner and walked towards them. She felt a sad pain from the separation as she studied the hybrid, having turned to the bar and leaning against his elbows. An exasperated frown on his face that matched the way she was feeling.
"Are we ready to put the deposit down?" Marcel asked as he came up behind her and held onto her shoulders, nearly causing her to jump out of her seat in response. "Klaus." he said as he noted the man next to her then. "I didn't realize you were interested in the ball planning."
"Not in the slightest." the Original replied with an amused chuckle as he turned towards the vampire. "I need to borrow you for a moment."
"Well, we're basically done here." Josh chimed in with a shrug.
Caroline let out a sigh as Marcel's hands stroked her arms slowly. "I'll leave you two to it then." she announced as she stood up from the chair and away from his touch. Earning a raised brow from him before he glanced between her and Klaus, the look on his face turning into one of recognition then.
"Right." he replied with a charming grin, squeezing her shoulder gently. "I'll see you later."
She threw him a smile before looking back at the hybrid. "Bye, Klaus." she said, bringing a smirk to his face as he responded.
"Goodbye, love." he crooned softly, making her shy away from his intense eyes and instead look over at the younger vampire in the room.
"Josh, walk out together?" she asked.
"Sure." he told her as she joined his side then. "See you guys later." he said to the other men before they exited the ballroom. Walking side-by-side in silence until they got a fair amount of distance from the hotel.
The male vampire nudged her side with his elbow as he gave her a pair of sympathetic eyes. "You okay?"
"Not at all." she scoffed, shaking her head as she kept her focus ahead of her. As if looking forward would help her forget about everything else. Keeping her eyes on the road in hopes that the chaos around her would fade away. Josh followed her to her hotel and gave her another kind smile before they parted ways.
The moment he was out of sight, Caroline rushed to her room and pulled the duvet blanket off the bed. Wrapping it around herself as she sat down on the floor in a ball, closing her eyes as she hid away from the sunlight and the loud music outside and everything else. Slowly, the exhaustion began to cloud her mind and she finally managed to fall asleep.
Three years ago
New Orleans, Louisiana
If Marcel had known that Klaus was already in a rather foul mood, he probably would have thought twice before sharing his news with the hybrid. Unfortunately, the vampire instead found out about his already strained temperament the hard way as the Mikaelson's fist flew into the brick wall in anger.
Heaving as he felt the fury flicker inside, Klaus pulled his hand back and instead pointed an accusatory finger at the man. "I told you to keep an eye on him."
"How was I supposed to do that while also following you around the world?" Marcel protested, causing him to grit his teeth.
"You should have come to me with this from the beginning!" he roared back. "I could have gotten answers out of Lucien myself. Instead, you chose to play politics with that which concerns me and my family."
"You're not a part of the factions anymore, Klaus." the vampire reminded him. "I'm not going to come running to you every time a problem comes up like some child who needs constant supervision by their father."
"Well, clearly you do need supervision, Marcellus." he spat back. "Or you wouldn't be here right now; telling me that not only has Lucien begun scheming behind our backs once more, but that he is also now missing from the French Quarter."
"Don't put this on me!" the younger man protested. "You were the one who let him stay here. You were the one who left the rest of us to deal with the symptoms of the disease that is Lucien Castle. You were the one who dropped the ball, Klaus. Not me."
A cold laugh escaped the hybrid as he shook his head in disbelief. "So, what you're saying is that you only need my involvement with your business when it suits your own personal schedule." he scoffed, reaching into his pocket then as he felt his phone ring with an incoming call.
"Fret not, Marcel. I shall handle this mess on my own." he bit out with narrowed eyes before holding the phone to his ear. "You are to give me your exact location immediately or I will be forced to break away from the Strix search and start hunting you down instead."
Marcel's eyes widened as the answer came through the other line. "Oh, come on, Nik. Whatever happened to 'innocent until proven guilty'?" the voice of the vampire in question snickered teasingly, only fueling the rage inside the Original then.
"That was not a location." he pointed out in a calm threat. "I suppose this seals your fate, old friend. Fortunately for you, it seems you have already gotten yourself a head start."
"Does this mean that you won't even give me a chance to tell you why Olivia Gardiner had to die?" Lucien chimed, causing him to grit his teeth as he suddenly had an urge to punch the wall a second time. The vampire took his seething silence as a reply as he chuckled and spoke again. "That's what I thought. Now, why don't you take a few steps to the left?"
The hybrid raised a brow before Marcel's neck was abruptly snapped. His body falling to the ground and revealing Lucien Castle in the flesh. "Sorry about that, but I reckoned this should be a private conversation." he quipped with a nonchalant shrug as he hung up the phone.
"I hope, for your own sake, that you have decided to come clean." Klaus smirked as he put his cellphone away and narrowed his eyes at the vampire. "Or else, you have merely pushed up the time for your own lynching."
"Will you stop with the death threats already and let me speak?" Lucien scoffed back, earning a shaking head in response.
"Barking orders too, you really have a knack for this little thing called self-preservation, mate."
"Nik." he bit out firmly, sighing before he spoke again. "I have a way of finding Aya."
Klaus chuckled as he stared at the man in disbelief. "Ah, how the reasons for killing you only continue to pile on!" he sighed out with a dark grin.
"Give me one minute, Niklaus." the vampire interjected with serious eyes. "If you do not like what I have to tell you then you are free to do as you please."
The hybrid shook his head shortly before waving his hand in the air, urging the vampire to go on. He smiled a little in reply before he spoke again. "I have managed to acquire quiet a large number of weapons and objects over the centuries. Many of which were recently stolen, and I suspect Aya to be the thief in this matter." he began to explain, digging out a vial and showing it to him as he continued. "The blood of a friend who betrayed her deeply." he announced. "This is what will break through those little pesky cloaking spells that the Strix have placed on her. This is how we find Aya Al-Rashid."
"And why should I believe a word you say?" Klaus sighed out.
"Because I have just as much of a motive to kill that elitist bitch as you do." he chipped with a lopsided grin. "I want what she stole from me. You want her heart. I don't see why we cannot work together here."
"Perhaps because of your bothersome little tendency to lie to my face whilst stabbing me in the back."
"How poetic." Lucien replied cheekily. "I think you know that you need the upper-hand in finding Aya. I think you are willing to even trust me with hopes of finally making headway in your search." he told him as he closed the distance and stared him deep into his eye. "And I think you know just as well as I, that whatever breadcrumbs Freya may obtain is nothing compared to what you need in order to finally find the end of this path."
"But you somehow do?" the hybrid countered in disbelief.
"I have powerful witches, cursed objects, intricate spells and all the proper ingredients." he told him with a shrug. "I could easily find her on my own. The only reason that I chose to share any of this with you is because I count on your influence with Marcel to grant me amnesty for my crimes."
"And if I refuse your offer of cooperation?"
"Then I shall take back what is rightfully mine and aid Aya in hiding from you for the rest of eternity." he threatened with a grin, his face falling as he grew serious again. "Do we have an accord?"
Klaus looked down at the vampire's offered hand with conflicting thoughts. Trying to see another way which would allow him to go around Lucien, to perhaps steal the blood and go to Freya right away. Imagining that she could be able to find the right spell and ingredients within a few days... Or weeks. But by then, Aya might be alerted of his plans and escape him once more. Only for him to be left back at square one all over again.
He took his hand and shook it firmly. "Leave New Orleans and do not return again until Aya Al-Rashid is dead." he requested. "Thereupon I will ensure that you are pardoned for your misdeeds and welcomed back to the French Quarter with open arms."
Lucien smiled and nodded, shaking his hand in return. "Agreed."
Present day
New Orleans, Louisiana
Caroline wondered if she would ever again meet with Lucien without being blindsided by another one of his numerous tests. But Marcel's surprise invitation to their dinner date seemed like a sign of the opposite. Because just as she entered the penthouse, Lucien pointed towards the other vampire with a wide grin on his face.
"I hope you don't mind, dear Alice." the host said as he seated them next to each other. "I just couldn't wait to hear the story of how you two know each other."
"What do you mean?" she stammered nervously with a quick glance at Marcel.
"Well, you made it seem like you were unfamiliar with the King of the Quarter who also happens to be the leader of the Strix. And now I find out that you two are seeing each other."
She shrugged, smiling shortly to a waiter as he put a plate of food before her. "Well, I never intended to hide anything. We haven't really known each other for that long."
"It's true." Marcel chimed, a warm smile cast towards her before turning to Lucien. "I came across the enchanting Caroline Forbes on one of her first nights in town. Haven't really been able to get her out of my head ever since."
"I know what you mean." Lucien crooned, making her cheeks burn slightly at the sudden attention. The waiter placed a glass in front of the host then, confusing Caroline as his plate remained empty. But when the tall man sliced his wrist and held his bleeding hand over the glass, the dots connected themselves.
"I'm sorry, Alice." Lucien chuckled a little before waving the man away. "I forget. You are not very comfortable with the… bloodier aspects of vampirism, it seems."
She frowned shortly at that. "I just don't enjoy seeing people treated like food, that's all." she corrected, deciding to stand up for herself even though alarm bells rang in her head as soon as she did. A dark smirk met her across the table before Lucien turned to the other man instead.
"You see, I'm afraid she had the displeasure of finding both me and Nik in the middle of somewhat compromising company." he explained, the tone of voice telling her that he wasn't actually bothered by it at all.
"Ah, that's why you acted so tense around him the other night." Marcel chimed in then, a hand on her knee as he gave her another charismatic smile. Something comforting and reassuring framing his eyes as he spoke. "I assumed Klaus had just said something rude before they came up to the apartment together."
"Oh, I must say… I don't believe I've ever seen a vampire quite as uneasy as her at the sight of feeding before." Lucien teased, making her fight back numerous distasteful remarks.
"Right, well. I guess it was a little of a sensitive subject." she countered, rubbing her neck pointedly at that.
"Yes, what did you have to say of her horrible encounter, Marcel?"
His warm hand brushed her hair back and stroked her neck softly. They shared a smile before he turned to the other vampire again. "I was glad to hear that she came out of it intact. Apparently, you are to thank for that."
"Oh, I was just lucky to have had a spare vial of a remedy stashed away. That's all." Lucien said with a shrug, winking a little over at Caroline as if they were in on a secret together. Which was possible since she didn't really know who else was aware of his artificial cure to a werewolf's bite. "Now, what actions should we take to ensure that nothing similar happens again?"
"I have a feeling you're about to tell me." Marcel chuckled while drinking a glass of clear liquor, reminding her then that she still hadn't touched her food yet. It was a traditional Chicken Roast with potatoes and veggies, but a southern twist in the form of hot spices and a little more zing in the marinade.
"-security within the Bayou-" Lucien's list of suggestions for a safer environment to the vampire population was a long one, and rather boring too. Caroline found herself zoning in and out several times during the conversation between them. But it didn't seem to bother the men as they were focused on the topic at hand and apparently had forgotten that she was still there.
Instead, she concentrated on her food, enjoying the tastes of rosemary, garlic, chili and lemon and how it complimented the chicken so well. Wondering shortly if she might be able to pick up a recipe or two while down in New Orleans. That way she could bring back the Louisianan cuisine for Ric to enjoy as well.
Ric.
Suddenly she felt her breathing quickening, her sight blurring slightly around the edges as her chest tightened. She had forgotten about him, about Chicago, about how they were supposed to go back as soon as Bonnie was safe. She had let herself get swept up in the magical city with all its colorful culture and smooth music and entrancing habitants… And somehow, she had actually forgotten about returning home. As well as what would happen when she did, and whom she would leave behind.
Her hands shook in her lap and the panic grew inside of her as she recognized the feeling that was quickly taking over her body. She had hoped that her earlier nap would have helped with her lack of sleep, because it was always a dangerous catalyst. It made her especially sensitive to anxiety triggers and lowered her capacity for actively preventing the earlier signs from escalating. Now, she wished she had rescheduled the dinner, or canceled or done anything to avoid the added stress of keeping her cover in front of Lucien Castle to her already unstable nerves.
The anxious reaction grew within her, causing her to glance around the room for something to concentrate on – but the manic energy boost within her kept her from focusing. Her heels tapped against the floor, her fingers drummed over her knees, her entire body needed to get away. To run. From Lucien. From Marcel and Klaus. From the city. From the country. She needed to run from herself, because it was suddenly killing her that everything stood so furiously still. Like everyone were moving in slow-motion with the single purpose of getting on her nerves.
Glancing over at the table, she saw the men still engrossed in their conversation. Realizing neither of them would be of help to her now, she stood up and muttered out a quick excuse for heading to the bathroom. Flashing through the apartment then and locking the door behind her as the racing feeling inside continued to escalate.
She stared up at the mirror and thought shortly of what had helped before, but she couldn't exactly ask Marcel to guide her this time without raising quite a few questions from Lucien that she wouldn't be able to answer. With a quick search of the room, she determined that there was nothing sharp for her to use either. Not a single razor or piece of glass or anything for her to break… The other thing that had worked the last few times had been feeding.
Suddenly, her face crawled as she became painfully aware of the other rooms where several human employees were present. All of whom would probably let her feed on them if she asked. But the more reasonable it started to sound in her head, the crazier it felt. Because she had gone so long without hurting a human like that, and this would not be the appropriate time to start again.
No, she had to remind herself of all the reasons why she didn't feed on humans. Why she wouldn't drink from the vein. Why she refused to take advantage of someone in that way. But her eyes caught the sight of her vampiric features and she quickly understood that she was losing the battle.
That was when she sensed it. Blood. Fresh blood. It was coming from one of the rooms down the hall.
Maybe the waiter from before was having trouble patching up his wound?
She was moving before she could think to stop herself. Slowly walking out to the hall and passing the doors in search for the right one. The pulse echoed in her ears, becoming deafening as she neared her target. She turned a corner and found the man standing in front of a bed. A duffel bag before him as he dug through the contents and pulled out different cloths and rags, seemingly searching for a bandage or some gauze to cover his bleeding wrist with.
As soon as she saw the blood, it was too late. She didn't even know if she remembered to compelled him first. To make him let her, to not scream, to stay calm. She simply lunged forward and grabbed his hand, biting into his wrist forcefully. That first taste was enough for her to lose all other senses and any other thoughts or protests. All that existed was the sweet sensation that spread through her as soon as the warm blood hit her tongue. It sent electricity through her veins as her vampire instincts reveled in finally breaking her morally enforced hiatus.
She looked up and found his neck calling out to her, she pushed him onto the bed and straddled his waist. Pinning his hands to the mattress as she dug into his skin again, moaning as his pulse quickened and brought a stronger flow of blood. The faint sounds of stirring and protests trying to reach her attention. But it was of no use, she was already lost to the hunger.
And before she knew it, the man was dead.
"Care?" the soft voice came from behind her just as she looked down to stare at the man with wide eyes. Turning around, she saw Marcel watching her with a confused expression.
Her breathing began to pick up as she held a hand to her mouth, her gaze on the body beneath her. "I... I don't know what happened." she stuttered out breathily, her hands shaking as she grabbed the waiter's face and tried to make him look at her. "No…" she whispered. "No… Please don't be dead. Please."
"Caroline?" Marcel called for her again as he reached for her shoulder, she pushed him off right away.
"I'm sorry." she whispered to the still and cold man beneath her. "I didn't mean to... Please, don't be dead. Please, I'm so sorry." Tears started covering her cheeks and mixed with the taste of blood still on her lips. "I… I did this…" she hissed in horror. "I killed him… He's dead because of me."
She felt Marcel grab her arm, freaking her out as she felt like screaming suddenly. "No!" she roared, pushing at him so hard that he flew backwards and nearly broke down the wall behind him. She had no idea who was more surprised in that moment, him or her.
"What's going on in here?" Lucien asked as he suddenly stopped by the open door and looked at the scene before him.
"I… I killed him." she stuttered, devastated as she looked down at the man again.
Memories of the people she had hurt in the past flashed before her. The man from her first night after turning… People from when she had turned her humanity off… What she had tried to do to the couple on the road that one night in Dallas…
It all came crashing down.
"I... " she breathed out, continuing the thought in her mind as she couldn't bring herself to utter it aloud. I'm a monster.
Staring down at her hands again, red from the man's blood and trembling with fear. Her body moved on its own as she quickly flashed out through the room. Running away from the horrible nightmare she had created. Running, and running. No sign of stopping as she flied through the city with the haunting faces of her past victims filling her mind. The words rang in her head as she drowned in the awful truth behind them.
I'm a monster.
A cold-blooded, ruthless, horrendous monster.
