Hi everyone! Thanks so much for the reviews, favorites, and follows! Sorry about the wait! Hope you find it worth it? Heh. Enjoy!
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In many ways, Caroline misses being human.
She misses the naivety, the days when vampires and werewolves only existed in melodramatic fiction, when the only thing she had to fear was her imagination running wild. The things that went bump in the night were only owls, snakes, creeping insects. The most intimidating thing she might ever encounter a popular, pretty girl, threatening to take Caroline's superficial status. Caroline misses the trivial things she worried about as a human. What college would she apply to, what career did she want to pursue? What if she died alone, old and boney, with nothing but a few cats for company? The innocence of mortality in some ways seems so much more desirable than the life she now leads.
Caroline wonders if any vampire is truly happy. If their lives are peaceful. If decades can pass with no threat of danger, just time. Time to enjoy the gift, if it is a gift at all, of immortality. A chance men have yearned for since the dawn of time, a way to beat death, to survive their short existence. Caroline wonders if that's the price vampires must pay; lives wrapped in danger, never fully feeling safe. There's always something. Something to run from, to fight. Sure, months can pass; hell, if you're lucky, maybe even years, where you can relax. But something new will pop up; some new threat will emerge just when you think those dark days have passed. Caroline supposes she has only herself to blame, though. An Original vampire is more often than not the source of all those threats.
Samira is still holding Caroline in place with both of her hands. As her mind swims back to consciousness, Caroline takes in the centuries old vampire. She appears to be so young, her body certainly not aged passed fifteen or sixteen. Her skin is a creamy light brown, her hair black. Her eyes are round and angled, heavy lidded and lined in black, and give away just how old her soul is. Her nose is perfectly straight, thin, and slightly turned up at the end. She's beautiful and looks so innocent, but her grip is strong. Caroline's no match for her so she doesn't even try to fight. The vampire is surprisingly gentle with her, but threats loom in her voice.
"Make this easier for yourself, Caroline," Samira tells her softly, an iron grip around her neck. "I've got nothing against you, of course, but you have to understand where I'm coming from. Listen carefully now; I've got vervain, I've got wooden bullets, and we can always break some bones. However, I hate dirtying my hands, and you seem like a smart girl, so just do as I say and no one needs to get hurt."
Samira's certainly the nicest person to ever hold her hostage. She blindfolds Caroline, still lying in bed, and speaks in hushed Arabic to others. There are suddenly two pairs of hands on Caroline, judging from the size, male, jerking her out of bed. Samira snaps at them in Arabic and their grips loosen. Caroline has half a mind to try and bolt for the door, but she figures it a pointless venture. She'd very much like to avoid any stabbings, shootings, burnings, bindings, or breakings. Caroline's got the whole torturing thing figured out by now.
One of her captors hoists her up, cradling her in his arms as they clamper out her open window. Caroline keeps herself very stiff and awkward in his hold, chewing on her lip. Klaus will, of course, be furious, and when he does find her, which he always does, and anyway, Samira probably wants to be found, he will probably be ready to crack some skulls. Caroline doesn't necessarily feel scared to be taken. Nervous, to be sure, but she finds herself feeling almost sympathetic to Samira's cause. She wonders just how fast Stockholm Syndrome can kick in.
They speed run to wherever their destination is, Caroline kept in her holder's arms the whole way there. They climb a set of stairs and enter into a cool building, the group's shoes clicking loudly on marble flooring. Caroline is set down on her feet, bare and cold, and her blindfold is removed. They're in a huge, ornate room, finely furnished with a large chandelier hanging from the high ceiling. One wall is made almost completely out of windows, thick and heavy curtains drawn to let the moonlight spill in. If she acted fast enough she could crash through one of them, but of course she has no idea where she was or how to get back to the hotel. Caroline isn't exactly feeling up to a midnight run in a foreign city in only her pajamas anyway. The addition of centuries old vampires pursuing her doesn't make the idea any more glamorous.
The doors to the room are closed behind her, two men standing guard in front of them. Caroline stares at them and they stare back, as if daring her to even try. She gives a small sigh. Before each window stands a different vampire, a few female though the majority male. Samira strolls over to a love seat facing the windows and lays down on it, picking at her fingernails.
"Are you hungry or anything, Caroline?" She asks, glancing up at her. "We've got any type you could want, though I think we're running low on AB."
"Um," Caroline stands awkwardly near the doors, where she had been put down. "I'm fine."
"You can have a seat if you'd like; I suppose we'll be waiting a while before Klaus shows up," Samira sits up, shaking out her mane of curly hair. Caroline shifts her weight from one foot to another and crosses her arms over her chest. She gives the windows another sideways glance. "What is it?" Samira asks, standing again and making her way to Caroline. She's almost a full head shorter than Caroline.
"Well," Caroline twists her mouth hesitantly, searching for the right words. "I'm a little confused."
"What about?"
"For starters, you're being rather hospitable for taking me captive and all," Caroline shrugs.
"'Captive,'" Samira spits the word out, shaking her head. "Such a harsh term. No, Caroline, you're more of our guest. Any friend of Klaus is a friend of mine!" She declares jovially.
"A guest that is being used as collateral against Klaus," Caroline is suddenly feeling very tired and cranky and completely over her damsel in distress role.
Samira sighs, tapping her chin. "Yes, you are correct on that. However, if Klaus is compliant I don't see why we should tie you up in the basement with only bread and water for sustenance."
"And when he isn't compliant is when you start feeding me vervain and shooting me, right?" Caroline snaps. She would almost prefer to be tied up in the basement to this; Samira acting like a friend, trying to get Caroline to warm up to her.
Samira stares at Caroline for a moment and then bursts into laughter. "Oh, gods, but you're being so serious! Honestly, I took you to get his attention. He needs to know that I'm done being pushed around by him and certainly over any fear I once had. It has never been my intention to harm you, Caroline, I assure you. We don't even have any vervain!" Samira bursts into laughter again as if the whole situation is hilarious.
Caroline is staring at her, mouth open. "But, but then, why…" She shakes her head, struggling to form a coherent thought. "Why do you think he'd come for me, anyway? What makes you think I'm so important to him? You called me his weakness. What makes you think that?"
Samira raises an eyebrow at her, a smirk on her lips as if she's fighting back more laughter. "Really now, Caroline, I thought you were a smart girl. One day of tailing you two and I picked up on just how protective of you he is."
"Then are you not scared he'll kill you when he does come?" Caroline doesn't argue; it's pointless, like many things are proving to be tonight.
"Oh, Klaus wouldn't kill me," Samira waves her hand at Caroline and turns away, heading back for the love seat.
"You sound confident on that," Caroline says, raising an eyebrow.
"My maker and I have a long history, Caroline. While I'm sure you know just how…" Samira trails off, looking for the right word. "Vicious he can be, he has always been reluctant to destroy his own creations. He's a rather possessive individual."
Caroline thinks of Tyler. He had given Klaus numerous reasons to kill him, from breaking his sire bond without Klaus's knowing, to never backing down when it came to herself. She supposes Samira is right about that. Caroline hopes she isn't being arrogant, thinking Klaus might have a stronger reaction this time. Images of the gymnasium swim to her mind.
"For your sake, I hope you're right about that…" Caroline mutters.
Samira turns her head sharply to Caroline, suddenly looking less amiable. "You'd be smart to watch your tongue, Caroline," Her voice is dangerous again, threatening, and Caroline remembers that this girl could rip her apart before she could even scream.
"And you'd be smart to not threaten her again, Samira."
Everyone's heads whip to the doors, open now. The two men who were standing guard are on the ground, necks twisted unnaturally. Klaus stands between them, arms crossed over his chest, glowering at Samira. She rises from the love seat and hesitates, eyes on her two henchmen. "I must thank you for not killing them, Klaus. I do enjoy those two."
"Oh, there's still time for that, Samira," Klaus takes a step toward her. "However, I thought I'd give you the chance to explain yourself."
"Easily, Klaus," Samira gives a small shrug, a smirk on her lips. "I kidnapped your little girlfriend."
"And your ransom is…?" Klaus's eyes flicker to Caroline, who stands exactly between the two.
"My freedom; what else?"
"And what's stopping me from killing every single one of you as punishment for your foolish actions?" Klaus smiles now, a smile so feral and dangerous that Caroline can't help but look away. "You know I don't like my things taken from me."
Caroline doesn't have time to object. Samira is directly behind her, holding her by her wrists with one hand while her other arm loops around her neck, crashing her against Samira's small form. "The same thing that's stopping me from ripping off her head," Samira replies, and Caroline can hear the smile in her voice.
Klaus sighs. "I told you not to threaten her again, Samira."
"You know how I enjoy pushing you to your limits, Klaus."
The three stand that way for a moment, Klaus glowering at Samira while she smiles triumphantly back. Caroline is panicking now, Samira's previous words of being a guest and to not bring her harm fleeing her mind. And suddenly the tension is gone, Klaus breaking out into a grin while Samira lets out a laugh, releasing Caroline and running to her maker. Samira throws her arms around his neck, jumping off her feet and Klaus spins her, returning the hug. When he sets her down she crosses her arms, raising an eyebrow at him. "Though I was being quite serious about my freedom and all," Samira says.
"Of course you were, love, but I must say I would lower the antics next time. I was this close," Klaus holds to fingers together, only a centimeter apart, "to killing every one of your little friends."
"But of course you were," Samira nods her head knowingly. "You know I've always had a fondness for the dramatic."
"So is that why you avoided me all day?" Klaus asks, arms folded over his chest. "To make a grand entrance?"
"Obviously," Samira smiles. "Though I hope I didn't upset you too much. I assure you Caroline only felt endangered, what, two times?" She swings her head back to look at Caroline, who is standing completely still with her mouth open wide.
"Ah, um, yeah," Caroline says stupidly. She's having a little difficulty processing, sure all hell was about to break loose only moments ago. "Yeah, two sounds about right."
"We were perfectly good-natured and she was incredibly compliant," Samira asserts, nodding her head.
"I've had practice," Caroline mutters, glancing at the ceiling with a shrug.
"Well as long as Caroline is unharmed…" Klaus looks to her this time for assurance. She gives a quick nod and a tight-lipped smile. "Then I am perfectly willing to meet your demands. Any threat to my family has been vanquished, so I suppose your duty has been served. An honor, I'm sure," Samira rolls her eyes and Klaus gives her a smile. "Now, then, I'm sure you realize how lucky you are that I am fond of you," He rests his hands on her shoulders, looking directly in her eyes. "You are free to travel the Earth, Samira."
Samira gives an excited jump, clapping her hands together. "Finally!" She shouts.
Klaus goes to Caroline as Samira celebrates. "You are fine, aren't you?" He asks quietly, concern all over his face.
"Oh, yeah. She's easily the nicest person to kidnap me," Caroline smiles but Klaus raises an eyebrow, unsure. "Honestly, Klaus. They didn't hurt me once. I think Samira was just trying to get a little attention from a neglectful maker."
"You've got her pegged, sweetheart," Klaus stops, and something flashes in his eyes, as if he wants to say more. "You know you'll be the death of me one day, Caroline."
Caroline doesn't have time to consider this before Samira approaches them. "I really must apologize, Caroline. Like I said, nothing personal."
"Oh, no worries," Caroline's decided she's incredibly unsure of her, scared to say anything smart. The way Samira's eyes had flashed earlier has left her feeling guarded.
Samira crosses her arms, looking contemplative. "I've frightened you, haven't I?" Samira looks to Klaus, who raises an eyebrow. "That just won't do. I'm really not one for the whole scary-dangerous-vampire scene."
"Well, you're pretty good at it," Caroline replies with a shrug. Klaus lets out a laugh.
"But I hate to think I made a bad first impression!" Samira cries, giving Caroline a pitiful look. "Spend the day with me tomorrow, Caroline. I promise to make it up to you."
Caroline gives Klaus a sideways glance. "I thought you'd be catching the first ticket out of here, Samira," Klaus says, giving Caroline a small smile.
"What's another day?" She says with a shrug. "It'll be worth it, anyway. She's got to be something special to catch your eye, Klaus," Samira's eyes shine as she looks at him.
"You're right about that," Klaus's smile softens.
Embarrassment washes over Caroline. "Right, well, that sounds great, Samira," She says quickly, cheeks pink.
"Wonderful!" Samira flashes a brilliant smile at Caroline. "Then I'll be at your hotel at, say, 10?"
"You know where to find me," Caroline says. Klaus gives another snort.
"Let's return then," He says, and his hands on the small of her back again. Protective. Possessive. He begins steering Caroline from the room.
"See you tomorrow!" Samira calls after them.
As the doors close behind them, Caroline releases the breath she's been holding.
"I think I have whiplash," She mutters, peeking over her shoulder at the large mansion they're leaving.
"Samira is rather…eccentric."
"There's a word for it. I thought she was going to kill me for a minute there."
"She isn't stupid, Caroline," Klaus looks at her. "You're positive you're alright?"
"Nothing a good night's sleep and a bottle of liquor can't fix," Klaus smiles at this.
"Well if it makes you feel better, you can stay with me tonight," Mischief gleams in his eyes. Caroline rolls hers.
"Nice thought, Klaus, but I don't think I'll be kidnapped twice in one night. Though it would be a record," She stops, glancing at Klaus. "Thanks for coming to my rescue. Again."
"It's one of my favorite things to do, Caroline," Klaus smiles at her. "Though, luckily, it wasn't nearly as life threatening this time."
"You gotta shake things up sometimes," Caroline suddenly remembers something. "Also, don't refer to me as your property."
"Wouldn't dream of it, love. That was simply for intimidation purposes only, I assure you," He looks like he's holding back a laugh.
Caroline quirks an eyebrow at him. "Good," She bites out. Klaus lets out that laugh.
xx
Rather short compared to previous chapters, I apologize. Anyway, this turned out incredibly lighthearted compared to what I originally had planned! Hope you still liked it, previous chapters have kinda been oozing with angst and drama so I thought maybe a break was in order.
If you'd like, review! They're what keeps me going!
-Reels