Bloodlust
Klaus POV
I turn away, keeping calm. Interesting. I didn't know she had stayed. I only asked the hybrids that protected her if she was alive and well. No specifics, simply because I didn't want to tempt myself and run after her. But why did she stay? What was keeping her here? So many emotions flood through me at that moment. Happiness, hope...
Fear. Damn it! She can't be this close to me! Wasn't that the whole point of...
I couldn't even finish that thought. For the next emotion that came in was guilt, along with a memory...
"No! No! No! You can't! You can't do this to me!" Her tears streaked face comes to my mind aganist my will. I never felt so much pain as i did in that moment.
"Caroline," i whisper, "I have no choice. I can't lose the both of you."
She shakes her crown of blond curls furiously.
"I love you," she whispers then, grabbing my stunned face into her hands. "Don't send me away Niklaus. We'll get through this...together."
"By God," Kol whispers, studying my face. He saw something there. Something that made him let out a chuckle before he said: "You compelled her. You compelled her to forget you. Those dreams aren't just dreams, their memories."
I clench my teeth, saying nothing. When the hell did Kol get smart?
"Think about it Bonnie!" Kol continued, the excitement of his revelation taking over, "there's no way in hell that Caroline can be under his nose all this time and not know about it. He found her, they hooked up, and then he compelled her to forget!"
It was more than a hookup, i wanted to say, but stop myself. if he's so bloody brilliant now, let him figure it out.
Bonnie just stares at me, stunned. "But why?"
"Because I had to, because I was bored. I don't have to explain anything to you, WITCH," I snap with as much venom I can muster.
I turn on my heel and start stalking off.
I hear their footsteps following me, trying my patience. "If you sent her away, that means you really loved her. Loved her enough to be afraid of losing her. That's the only thing that makes sense. Meaning that, whatever went on between them had to be more than a hookup Kol. If he was just using her and didn't care..."
"He would of just staked her and been done," finishes Kol in agreement.
For them to speak of me hurting Caroline so candidly boils my blood.
"I swear," i say in controlled voice, with my true anger cracking the surface, "if the both of you don't leave, I'll rip out your hearts and feed it to some nearby wildlife. Now LEAVE ME!" i roar.
"It's not our fault you suck at relationships," mutters Kol.
That's it.
I had Kol up aganist a wall, my hand in his chest, grabbing his heart in a blink of an eye. My eyes flash gold, fangs extended. Kol was just resurrected and he was already on his way back to the other side.
"Klaus stop!" Yells Bonnie."we'll go! We'll go!"
I drop Kol and simply walk away.
"This isn't over Klaus!" Shouts Bonnie from behind him. "We're giving you your space, but we still need to get Caroline. She's in danger whether she's with you or not!"
To hell with that witch and Kol, ignoring her. I swore to myself I wouldn't get close to Caroline and jeopardize her life again.
And I plan to keep that promise.
Bonnie POV
I still keep up the act, though we were alone. I knew he wouldn't want to take the risk of Klaus overhearing.
I kneel down next to Kol and put a hand in his shoulder. His angry gaze remains on Klaus's retreating figure.
"I swear, if he wasn't my brother, I'd kill him."
"No you wouldn't. But we can get even."
That got his attention. His mischievous grin returning to his face.
"Now, what are you up to Ms. Bennett?"
I smile back at him, extending my hand. He takes it and we both stand up together.
"If he doesn't want to go get Caroline, we'll get her and bring her to him."
His smile widens. "I love it, but how will we find her?"
"Not a problem. I already know where she is."
"I forgot you're Bonnie the Mega-witch now," he mocked.
"Shut up, Kol," she says, walking away with her smile still on her face. "Let's get to work."
"Lead the way."
Caroline POV
"Oh...MY GOD!"
I fling my last wardrobe choice for work across the room. Nothing is clean. I mean...NOTHING! Ketchup, wine, blood stains, you name it, my clothes got it.
Caroline Forbes, you're done. You're gonna get fired today. Yes sir.
I put my face in my hands. "Seriously?" I say, tiredly. I already woke up late, and now i have nothing to wear.
The boss man already told me one more strike and don't bother coming in. Just because of the fight I got into with a customer last week. Now this.
Worst. Day. Ever.
I look at the clock. 10 minutes to get to the bar? Yeah. Not happening.
I collapse on my twin size bed in my studio apartment. I Cover my face with my pillow, wanting to disappear.
I should go back to Mystic Falls. This independent woman thing is not working out.
At least back there I have REAL friends, not acquaintances, family...
Family...?
"You're my family Caroline."
My eyes open. There it was again. That sexy British male accent. Who WAS that? Every time I thought of leaving, there was that voice. Saying something that always makes me stay. It didn't even have to make sense. It was something about that voice itself. It was always so soft, so calming, so safe, so...familiar.
A knock on the door, jolts me back to reality.
As I run across the studio to the door, I glance at the clothes thrown about my room, the dirty dishes...
Oh well. It's not like I'm married or something. I'll clean it later.
I yank the door open. My mouth drops.
"Bonnie?!"
Seeing my friend after 20 years, consumes me with such raw emotion that i can't speak.
Bonnie's eyes fills with tears as she pulls me into a bear hug.
"I missed you," Bonnie murmurs into my hair.
"I missed you too."
"Oh! It's so touching," says Kol out of nowhere in the most fake feminine, emotional voice he can muster, wiping an imaginary tear from one eye.
I pull away from Bonnie, blinking away tears as i take in Kol.
"You're...you're supposed to be..." I stutter.
"Dead I know. You two are definitely mates. Same reaction and everything."
"Mate? I repeat, confused.
"Kol!" Hisses Bonnie.
"Oh yeah. Forgot. Compelled and all."
i open my mouth to ask something, but Bonnie cuts me off. "Don't mind him. Still shaking off the cobwebs from being dead so long."
He rolls his eyes as I give him a curious look. "How is he alive?" I ask Bon. "You can raise the dead now? What are you, Jesus?"
"Long story," Bonnie says with a laugh. "Aren't you gonna invite us inside?"
"Oh yeah, of course! Come in!" i say, going back into the apartment. Totally forgot my manners.
"Now, don't judge me," I warn them ahead of time.
"What...happened?" ask Bonnie taking in her room with a frown.
"I said don't judge me," I say with a mixture of embarrassment and defensiveness, "I wasn't expecting company."
"Obviously," mutters Kol.
I flare up. "Shut up. You've picked up a broom,what, maybe twice in your life?"
He raises his hands in defeat.
"Just saying Care," intervenes Bonnie. " It looks like World War Three in here."
I sit on my bed. "I know. I was looking for an outfit to wear to work. Total failure."
"Oh! Where are you working?"
"You mean, where DID I work? Flames. A bar down the street," I mutter. "I was a bartender/singer."
"You were that bad huh?" Asks Kol, nodding his head in understanding.
Bonnie nudges him hard in the ribs, while I glower at him.
"No actually," i respond harshly. "The prick grabbed my butt so i knocked him out. ill have you know that I was voted best Bartender in New Orleans five years in a row. I have a way with liquor." Can't help feeling a little pride, I smile a bit.
"And hybrids," adds Kol.
Smile gone.
Bonnie stomps on his foot. "What is your problem? You want me to kill you again?"
With the mention of hybrids, I can't help but remember Tyler. "How is Tyler Bonnie? I haven't spoken to him since I left. Did he ever go back to Mystic falls?"
"No."
"Figures," I say sadly, "I'd run away too if my mom died and she was all I had left."
Bonnie shares a look with Kol. Then says, "so what are you going to do now?"
"Probably look for another job," I grumble.
Bonnie and Kol smile at each other.
"What?" I say looking between the two of them.
"Ever heard of a place called Bloodlust? Kol and I went in there when we first came into town. They're looking for a bartender," finishes Bonnie with a big smile.
"That nightclub on Bourbon?"
Both Bonnie and Kol nod enthusiastically.
"There's nothing but celebrities and rich folks in there," I say, feeling intimidated already.
"Uh yeah. Can you imagine the tips you'd get in a place like that?"
I can't help but smile at that. "Good point. I'm totally in a recession and need a stimulus package. You think it's open now?"
"24/7," says Kol.
"Well then," I stare down at my pajamas. Definitely need a better wardrobe. "Let me do some laundry and we can head over there. I can use some drinks, even at 10am."
I catch Bonnie and Kol smiling at each other. Their eyes betraying some type of mischief.
"Those two are up to something," I mumble to myself as I take my clothes. Hopefully, it guarantees me the job.
Klaus POV
I yank open the doors to Bloodlust, the words of that insufferable witch echoing in my mind: "She's in danger whether she's with you or not!"
Damn that witch! What if she's right? What if Caroline dies and its because i wasnt around to save her?
No. Stop it. Caroline's been fine without me for years. My remaining hybrids are looking after her. She'll be fine for another 20, 40...
"Hello Boss."
"Jake."
He follows me as I walk through the club, noting that the place was packed already at 11am with all walks of life. The music was mellow due to the time of day, but the liquor was flowing and so was the food and...blood of course.
Jake and I did our usually routine and went through the schedule. Justine, my floor manager, spots me and joins us. A petite girl with average features, she brushes her black hair from her grey eyes patiently waiting for Jake to finish.
I didn't hear anything Jake said, but I knew I wasn't interested in playing King today.
"Cancel all my appointments. I'll be in my suite till the night shift."
Hearing my tone, Justine starts to walk away, but Jake the imbecile says:
"So I need to reschedule Marcel again? He's been waiting for years to speak with you!"
I sigh. Marcel. I confess, I've been avoiding him. Simply because if I saw him, I wouldn't be able to stop myself from thinking about Claire.
My chest tightens with pain just thinking her name. Three years and The loss was still so raw. Totally different from losing Caroline. At least I can see her alive anytime but Claire...
"I think you should see him," continues Jake, interrupting my thoughts. "Can't you..."
I hope no one wanted to know the end of that sentence, because his heart was in my hand, and I don't think you can finish conversations without a heart.
I glance at Justine, whose mouth was in an O of surprise, staring as Jake's body crumples to the floor. I toss his heart to the side, my staff already compelling all the human guests, maintaining calm, as I casually tell Justine:
"Rejoice sweetheart!" I say with a smirk. "You've been promoted. Now be a dear and cancel my appointments. Will that be a problem?"
She shakes her head emphatically.
"Lovely. I'm not to be disturbed. Unless..." i lick the blood off my fingers, "that poor unfortunate soul wants to join dear Jake."
"Understood Boss," she says in a shaky voice. She quickly signals two hybrids to Jake's body.
I look at my white Armani dress shirt and sigh. I take it off, using it to wipe off the blood that managed to seep to my chest. Justine is so distracted that it takes me throwing the shirt at her face to snap her out of it.
"Take care of it," I order her. I walk up the steps to my suite.
I need a drink.
Caroline POV
This place is gorgeous! I can't believe I never stepped foot in here. The decor is definitely top of the line. Red silk drapes, white and black booths...man. If I decorated this place, this is exactly the way it would look!
"Nice isn't it?" Asks Bon.
"Uh...no. It's awesome! I got to meet this decor master. He or she is a genius!"
"Thanks so much for the high praise!"
I turn to the voice. A petite, black haired girls with grey eyes stands there. She's wearing an insanely short black skirt and a tight red top that shows off her perky breasts. Even with all that, she manages to put out a professional aura.
"You did this?" i ask all excited.
"No, but ill be sure to ask the Boss. My name is Justine. I've seen you two, but you,"she points at me, "you're a first timer. Would you guys like a booth?"
"Actually, I'm here to inquire about the open bartender position."
Justine gives me puzzled look. "I'm sorry, but, we don't have any openings doll."
"Oh," I say flatly.
"They must of filled it," says Bonnie.
"No. It's alright," I say trying to mask my disappointment. I look around. "Uh, where's Kol?"
A crashing noise from the bar takes our attention.
A brown haired man in a muscle shirt stalked towards us, his face beet red with anger. Justine stops him. "Whoa Kent. What is going on?"
"I quit," he snaps. "I'm done Justine. Just done."
"You can't mean that! The night shift is going to start soon. Who am I gonna get to cover you?"
"Not my problem babe." He takes off his name badge and gives it to her. "I'm sorry. I can't do this anymore."
Kent storms out. Bonnie and I move aside to let him pass.
"Well," says Justine. "That was the bartender and he just quit. Can you start tonight?"
Just then, Kol reappears.
Caroline fights her hardest not to smile.
"Where were you?" I ask suspiciously.
"The bathroom," he says with a shrug.
I can't help but smile
"Girl!" Justine snaps her fingers, catching my attention. "Can you work tonight or not? Klaus is gonna kill me, like literally, if I don't have bartender. When he gets out of his suite, he's gonna want to get loaded."
I stiffen. "Klaus. You mean, the king of New Orleans Klaus? Psycho, serial killer..."
"The very one doll," interjects justine, "but I wouldn't say that second half too loudly. Would hate for you to die your first night on the job and need to replace you too. So. You're in or out?"
I bite my lower lip. I know I need the money but...
"Caroline," says Bonnie. "It'll be alright. Just do as Justine says. Keep your head low, do your job and you'll be fine."
"Never fear sunshine, Kol is here! And mega witch can destroy whole cities just by thinking it so, I wouldn't worry," he smiles widely.
Bonnie rolls her eyes. Kol may have exaggerated, but Bonnie's powers are a force to be reckoned with.
Feeling much better, I turn to Justine, giving her my best smile. "Okay. You've got yourself a bartender."
A/N First of all, you all are awesome! Thanks so much for the feedback and reviews. It's been great motivation. Please keep them coming. A special shout out to anoncovers for the cover photo for this story. You're awesome! I don't know when I'll have the next chapter up but ill try not to make be a long wait. Thanks for your support and enjoy! Klaroline for sure next chapter!