Thanks so much to everyone who responded to this story! Your support means a lot to me as I try this crazy experiment.
This chapter has a lot of Kolvina and a little bit of Benzo. I have decided that Bamon will be endgame for this stroy, but there will be plenty of different ship interactions throughout.
Enjoy!
Chapter Two: The Original Harlot
Kol Mikaelson's feelings towards his brother had evolved from harboring simple annoyance to sheer loathing in the span of a few years and only love was to blame.
The youngest Mikaelson brother stroked Davina's gloved hand as the carriage pulled up to the family estate, one of largest privately owned-properties in London and certainly the most lavish. He glared at it from the carriage window, his hold on the young witch tightening. A beautiful prison was all it was for all save one of its inhabitants.
"You're tense," Davina whispered from beside him. The whisper was only a courtesy, for there was nothing to stop Elijah from hearing their conversation. Vampire or not, he sat only a mere foot away from them in the carriage. The eldest Mikaelson politely stared out the carriage window, pretending to be impervious to their words.
Kol admired his beautiful witch, his body relaxing slightly as he took in the sight of her. If you would have told him four years ago that he would have become a total sap for some mortal girl, he would have laughed and snapped your neck (not without taking a bite or two first, naturally). Kol Mikaelson did not fall in love. He was incapable of anything that wasn't entirely selfish and self-serving, and love certainly was not that.
And then he met Davina Claire.
She was young, probably too young to be fancied, but when had that ever stopped him? His brother had sent him to be her tutor, someone to polish the new goods by teaching her how to control her magic. Kol always had a thing for powerful witches, and Davina Claire was certainly a powerful witch. But he had learned she was so much more.
Davina Clair was a girl smited by the world itself, who looked those who wronged her in the face and told them point blank to go to hell. A smart little minx with an infuriating sense of justice. But when she looked at him, Kol felt like he could carry the earth. No one every looked at him with so much affection. No one ever cared like she did. And somewhere along the line, she had stolen his heart.
And his damn brother knew it.
"Don't let him see that he gets to you," Davina continued. "You'll only feed his monstrous ego."
"I'm aghast, Davina Claire," Kol put a hand to his chest as if wounded. "I thought you said my ego was the most monstrous of egos in all London! How dare you take that title away from me."
Davina smiled a bit and hit his arm.
"I'm serious," Davina said, suddenly becoming serious again. "I'm not worth the hassle."
The carriage came to a stop. Elijah headed out, but Davina stayed still.
"Please, Kol," she said, big blue eyes pleading with him.
Kol kissed her. She tasted like honey. He wanted nothing more than to whisk her away. He knew she would love Italy or Paris. They could find a small chateau and she could listen to all types of music. He would build a drawing room where she could sit in the sun and paint for hours, and he would be content with just sitting next to her and making her smile. He would take her anywhere if it meant letting her be free. When they pulled apart he kissed her forehead.
"You will always be worth it," Kold told her. He looked into her eyes, hoping that somehow he could make her believe that he meant it. Knowing the moment had to end, Kol forced a smile and headed. "Don't worry about me, darling. I promise to be on my best behavior Now get out of here before my brother stabs us both."
"Ah Kol, Lady Davina, so nice of you to finally join us."
Klaus Mikaelson sat in the parlor room, holding a glass of blood in his right hand, and looking smug. He sat on the loveseat next to a man that Kol did not recognize but from his smell, it seemed he was a werewolf. Rebekah, Finn, and Marcel sat in chairs opposite him, Elijah moving to join them. Kol hated family meetings.
"Now, when my messenger told you I called for you, did you take that as optional? Or were you all trying to annoy me with your tardiness?" Klaus asked. He took a sip of blood and stood up. He stepped forward until he was only a few spaces in front of Davina. Kol's body tensed.
"Brother, must you always draw out these family meetings with your dramatics?" asked Rebekah, looking positively bored. "Some of us have other aspects of our lives we must attend to that do not include your tiresome speeches."
"Ah, Rebekah, always the impatient one," chuckled Klaus. He raised an eyebrow her way. "Tell me, am I keeping you away from your little party arrangements? I'm terribly sorry."
Rebekah scowled. Marcel put his hand on her shoulder. Finn looked as though he would rather be stabbing himself in the eyes then be sitting there.
"This party that you mock sets the foundation for securing alliances for the next year," Rebekah hissed. "But if you would like me to leave our family's safety to the hands of dogs and mind-controlled mortals, then by my guest."
Klaus rolled his eyes and took a sip of blood.
"Now that Rebekah has completed the obligatory action of making herself the center of attention, I do so hope my little witch enjoyed the opera," Klaus said. He played with one of Davina's curl, admiring his witch courtesan. "Because after tonight I am going to need you on witch-mode nonstop. No London escapades. Totally focused."
At this last line, Klaus' gaze turned to Kol and he smirked. Kol scowled at him. Klaus got up and stood in front of his witch, hand going up to play with her long hair. Kol knew his brother was only doing it to annoy him.
Davina kept her composure, not flinching as Klaus' fingers kept playing with her curl. Her expression remained neutral as she met Klaus' eyes.
"What is it you want, Klaus?" she said, her voice free of any false pretenses of respect or care. It was enough to wipe away Kol's scowl. That was his Davina.
Klaus pulled away from the witch and returned to his seat. The man next to him flinched.
"Nothing too hard, right now," Klaus said. "A simple tracking spell to find the Petrova doppelganger so that I can finally free myself of this wretched curse will be enough."
Kol froze, and he could see that Davina was taken aback. Out of his siblings, only Elijah looked surprised. Something must have happened while they were at the opera.
"Why don't you take a seat, D?" said Marcel, getting up from his own chair.
Kol never liked Marcel. He might be a called a Mikaelson, but he was no blood of his. The only good quality he had as far as the youngest original brother was concerned was that it was he who saved Davina from the crazy London witches who had tried to sacrifice her.
"Yes, take a seat little witch. Our friend here has quite the story," said Klaus. If Kol did not now any better, his brother was practically giddy. Klaus clapped the man next to him on the back. "I believe introductions are in order. Kol, Elijah, Davina, this is Tyler Lockwood. One of the many werewolves I have taken under my wing. Tyler, that pretty thing is my witch, the annoyingly impartial one is Elijah, and the one who looks like he is ready to rip out my heart is Kol."
Kol scoffed and moved to stand behind Davina.
"Always the fan of the theatrics, brother," Kol drawled. "If you and Elijah are still hung up on Katherine, I doubt Davina can be any help. Magic can't cure a broken—"
"I thought the doppelganger was dead," said Davina, cutting Kol off before he could say anything else. "Isn't that why my welcome present was a history of the hybrid curse and orders to find a way to complete it without the Petrova?"
"Good memory," Klaus commented, seemingly unfazed by Kol's candor. "You see, I was under the impression that the doppelganger line ended with the vixen who stupidly turned herself into the vampire. But, according to Mr. Lockwood, it appears we have been mistaken. Tyler, mate, why don't you tell everyone about who you ran into during your visit to America?"
Tyler looked entirely uncomfortable and took in a deep breath. Kol wondered what leverage his brother had on the werewolf to earn his allegiance.
"I went to visit an Uncle of mine in Virgina to discuss family matters," started Tyler. His voice was gruff. Definitely a werewolf. "I saw a girl. She looked like Katherine."
"Ever think it might be Katherine?" asked Kol. He wondered what Klaus was getting at and how it involved Davina. He turned his attention to Klaus. "This dog doesn't seem too bright, Nick."
"She wasn't Katherine," Tyler said defensively. "This girl was definitely human. Her name's Elena Gilbert. Her uncle was supposed to bring her portrait back to some apprentice. I swiped it from him while we were on the ship."
"Have a look at this 'Lijah," Klaus said. He held a small piece of parchment in has hand. "It looks like your favorite doppelganger wasn't as wholesome as she wanted you to believe. Of course, we knew her soul was corrupt, but even I was surprised to learn her body had been so impure before she met you. Makes me wonder who the bastard was who got her pregnant."
Elijah was not fazed by his brother's words. He took the picture from Klaus and looked at it. Kol moved over to look over his shoulder and was surprised by what he saw.
It was the portrait of a young woman, unmistakable even in black and white. Her eyes were like a young doe, her cheekbones high and lips full. The perfect copy of Katherine Pierce.
"How do you know this isn't some trick?" Elijah asked, ignoring Tyler and looking straight at his brother. "Surely there are plenty who would like to lure you into some trap. You haven't seen this girl. It could be some portrait of Katherine passed around in hopes of getting you to bite."
Kol took the photo from Elijah and passed it soundlessly to Davina. The witch's brows furrowed as she stared at it. She had never met Katherine Pierce, and Kol hoped it would stay that way. Nothing ever good came from that woman, and he didn't need her complicating Davina's life more than his family already had.
"Well, seeing as Katherine Pierce was last spotted in Italy hiding with her new witch, I doubt she would have hidden away in Virginia. Colonies were never Katherine's style. She always liked more glamor," said Klaus. Kol was surprised with how confident he sounded. "But, what do I know? I'm a mere powerful original who has roamed the earth for seven hundred years. Fortunately, we have a little witch to check for us."
Everyone's eyes turned on Davina. She was still inspecting the photo, running her gloved thumb over the girl's face.
"What do you need me to do?" she asked, looking up to meet the Original's eyes. Klaus put down his glass and clapped his hands together. Kol tensed once more, an action that did not go unnoticed by Klaus.
"You do not need to worry brother. I would never put my precious witch in danger. A simple tracking spell will do, love. Check to see the girl's location. Tyler has reason to believe it might have changed since his visit to Mystic Falls."
Davina raised an eyebrow, lips puckering in thought.
"I'm going to need more than a photo if you want me to find her," Davina said. Kol was proud of how she spoke to Klaus with so much confidence. Few people had the nerve to talk back to Klaus. Davina was truly a gem.
Klaus snapped his fingers and Tyler pulled out a smell pouch. From it, he displayed a silver necklace. It was simple and rather ugly in Kol's opinion, but he never paid much attention to jewelry.
"She wore this every day, according to some of the other girls in the town," said Tyler. He grinned, sheepish. "I might have swiped it from her bedside table. I also grabbed a few strands of her hair."
Rebekah snorted from the other side of the room, the first sound she had made since the three of them had arrived. Finn stayed quiet next to her, still as a stone.
"Creeper," scoffed the Mikaelson sister.
"Her blood would be more reliable," Davina said, ignoring Rebekah. She got up and grabbed the necklace from Tyler, holding it and the portrait in her hand. As she studied the necklace, Kol noticed her pause. There was a flicker of realization in her gaze, but it was gone before any of the other siblings noticed it.
"I know a spell that will work," Davina said after a moment. She turned to Marcel. "I'll need a dagger, but I should be able to do the spell rather quickly. Although I would prefer to perform it alone."
Davina gave Klaus a meaningful look, but the original did not seem affected by it.
"Don't worry, love," drawled Klaus. "We're all family here. Do what you need to do. Find my doppelganger. We won't bother you."
He smirked, showing his teeth. They always had been sharp, even when he wasn't getting ready to feed on some innocent victim. Kol clenched his fist at his side. Klaus turned his attention to him.
"I'm sorry, Kol, is there something you would like to say?" asked Klaus. Kol continued to glare at him. Before he knew it, Klaus had flashed over to him and pushed him against the wall. Klaus' hand was plunged into his chest, squeezing on his heart.
"Don't get any ideas brother," threatened Klaus. "Do not forget I own her. I don't care about your petty feelings. I keep you alive as a courtesy, but I can and will dagger you if you become a hindrance. Do you understand?"
Kol spluttered for air, trying to move out of his brother's tight grasp.
"Stop it!" Davina shouted, the only one in the room beside Tyler who looked even remotely fazed by the squabble. "I'll do the spell here. Just let him go!"
Klaus paused to give Kol a sickening smirk before removing his grip. Kol groaned as he slid down the wall and glared at Klaus with every inch of loathing in his body. He was going to feel that one for a while.
"Consider it motivation, love," said Klaus. "Now shall we begin?"
Davina sucked in her cheeks, keeping her head held high. Marcel handed her a short dagger, and she took it with a small nod before returning Klaus' gaze.
"Could someone get me a table and a chair? Unless, of course, you want me to bleed all over your rug. A gift from the king of France, wasn't it?"
Davina raised a brow.
Klaus rolled his eyes but sent Elijah a look. The older brother moved into action and with a flash and brought a small sitting room table in front of the witch along with a small comfortable chair. Davina took her time adjusting her posture as she sat down.
"You have her hair?" Davina asked Tyler. The werewolf nodded and pulled out a few strands of brown hair from the same pouch he had carried the necklace in. The witch placed them down on the table next to the silver necklace. She undid her gloves, taking her time to fold the silk fabric neatly off to the side, before clutching the dagger with her right hand and using it to stab her palm.
Kol had to use all the self-control he possessed from getting up from the floor. Davina's scent was intoxicating, and it was only a healthy diet and his great love for the girl that stopped him from flashing over to take a sip. He understood why she wanted to do this alone now. Shedding blood in a room full of vampires, even ones who had years of practicing restraint, must be a daunting task.
Davina closed her eyes. She set down the dagger, blood dripping from the sharp tip. In her bleeding palm she grabbed the hair and in the other she held the necklace. The Mikaelsons watched with baited breath as the witch began murmuring something unintelligible in Latin. Kol wished that Tyler had been smart enough to bring blood back with him. The spell might not be as accurate when figuring out whether or not the news of this girl was some trick, but it was less dangerous.
"Shouldn't this spell be done with a vessel of some sort?" asked Rebekah, eyeing the witch with curiosity.
"Bekah, when you become the most powerful witch in London then you can decide how the spells in this house are done," said Klaus.
But Beks was right. Kol had plenty of practice with spells when he was a witch. Normally there was another person involved in this particular spell. But Davina was smart. The fewer people she brought with her, the less involved, the better for everyone. They needed to know if it was a trap first. In this instance, she was practically Klaus' test dummy.
It made Kol sick.
Davina's muscles tensed, but she was still chanting. Klaus paced around her, circling her like the wolf still inside of him. After a few moments, the candles in the house flared up. Finn let out an annoyed gasp as the sleeve of his shirt caught on fire, and he quickly put it out. The flames went down, and Davina opened her eyes. She looked at Klaus then at Tyler.
"Well?" pressed Klaus. "Was that all theatrics or did you find my doppelgangers?"
"I saw her," Davina said, still composed despite the little bit of blood beginning to drip it from her nose. She wiped it away. "She's human. Looks just like the portrait. She's on a boat to London, but that's all I could see."
Kol could tell there was something Davina was keeping from his brother. No one spoke as Klaus continued to prowl around the witch before finally stopping to let out a cruel laugh.
"Well isn't this your lucky day! I get my doppelganger, and Bekah doesn't even need to miss the little party she has planned," said Klaus. He stopped by Tyler and clapped the werewolf on the back. "You will be rewarded in due time, Mr. Lockwood. Marcel, send our men to the docks. I want it to be teeming with vampires and werewolves on the lookout for Miss Gilbert's arrival. I don't want her to step a foot in London without our eyes on her."
Klaus looked at Davina, still standing despite the blood dripping from her palm and nose.
"Nicely done, little witch," said Klaus. "I knew I made a good investment with you."
With those last words and a haughty gaze, Klaus left for his study. The others relaxed and began to leave. The family meeting had been dismissed, and they were left to wait to see what happened next.
Davina clutched her bleeding hand as Kol helped her to her room. She could tell he was struggling with the scent of her so fresh in the air, but she was proud of his resolve as he bit into his wrist and held it out to her.
"Drink, darling," he said. Although it was a command, it sounded more like a plea.
Davina hated vampire blood. Whenever she was hurt she would fight drinking blood until someone forced her. After one particularly nasty fall down the compound stairs, Klaus had forced his blood into her. Sometimes, at night when she awoke from a nightmare, she could still feel the thick, coppery liquid running down her throat. Despite her disgust, Davina obliged and sucked on Kol's open wound.
She could feel the effects almost immediately. When she lifted her head, she looked at her palm. It was completely healed. Kol was watching her carefully. He lifted his hands to her cheek, cradling her face.
"Davi—"
He stopped as Davina lifted a finger to her lips, warning him to not speak. Closing her eyes, she cast a privacy spell over the room and then nodded.
"Are you alright, darling?" Kol asked, continuing to use his favorite pet name for her. Davina nodded but didn't say anything. Kol moved his hands away, clenching them into fists as he turned around and punched the wall.
"I hate this!" he cried, letting out all of the emotions Davina knew he had been working hard to keep hidden. "I hate the way he treats us. Treats you. Like some sort of servant."
He punched the wall again, and Davina was just grateful he didn't break it. She walked to him and put her hand on his shoulder.
"Kol," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument as she gently pulled him towards her. "Look at me. It's okay."
Kol took in a few deep breaths as he calmed down before pulling Davina into him. Davina rested her head on his chest. Sometimes she imagined she could hear his heart beating. Life would be so much simpler if they were human. If only class was the only thing standing in their way.
"Remember the first day you and I met? How I nearly burned down the manor as we went over lighting candles? What was it you told me that day?" Davina whispered into his chest.
Kol rested his head on top of hers.
"I told you that if you set your dress on fire I wouldn't help you find a new one."
Davina giggled and rolled her eyes.
"Yes," she said, smiling. "But what was the other thing you told me?"
Kol let out a long exhale, any leftover tension leaving his body.
"Learning control is like falling in love. You have to give into the feeling of chaos before you can begin to understand it," Kol said. He snorted. "What a git."
"True," Davina laughed.
"I was lying then, you know," Kol said. He put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her away so he could look her in the eyes. "I had no idea what falling in love felt like."
Davina raised a teasing brow at him.
"And now?" she breathed, his lips hovering just centimeters from hers.
Kol's lips found hers, and they locked in a passionate kiss. His hands roamed her body, feeling ever curve of her before throwing her against the wall. Davina wrapped her legs around his torso, letting out a moan of please as his lips found her neck and trailed kisses across her décolleté.
"Let's just say I wasn't the only one in that room doing the teaching," Kol whispered in her ear before biting the tip of it.
In the privacy of Davina's room, the two allowed themselves to let go of the control that they worked so hard to maintain. In these tender moments, they were not a witch and a vampire, but lovers who wanted nothing more but to explore each other. Hours later, Davina found herself naked in Kol's arms, the covers of her bed haphazardly pulled over them. Kol traced her cheek with his hand, a rare and content smile on his face to match her own. They stayed in silence, letting themselves breathe, before Davina found the courage to tell him what she had seen.
"The girl knows about vampires," Davina whispered. Kol pulled away to look at her in surprise. "The doppelganger, Elena. Her necklace had vervain inside of it. And when I saw her on the boat she wasn't alone."
Kol kissed her forehead.
"Who was she with?" he asked.
Davina bit her lip and looked into his eyes. She remembered the first time he entered her room. She had hated him as much as she hated his brother. The only one she owed was Marcel, the vampire who saved her life. Klaus was just a name on her contract, and Kol was just a stipulation. So much had changed.
"Stefan Salvatore," she whispered.
Kol stared down at her. He kissed her tenderly, his arms tightening around her small frame protectively. She knew they would haven to talk more about what she saw, about what she was risking by keeping it from Klaus. But for now, they could pretend that they were just two humans in love, ready to spend the night in each other's arms.
Bonnie found it difficult to pay attention to her mending for two reasons. The first being she could not get the conversation she had with Davina out of her mind, the second being Caroline was determined to distract her.
"He didn't even pretend to be interested in me, not even when I told him about my father being a councilman!" Caroline ranted. Her own mending had been pushed off the side in her annoyance as she paced around the room. They were the back of her parent's shop. The Forbes paid Bonnie a fair sum to help them out when things got busy, and Lucy had promised to watch Grams while she was away.
"Do you think it was because of the note you had me give him? The one for Davina?" Caroline asked. She let out a gasp of realization. "He must think I'm associated with a courtesan!"
"Caroline," Bonnie scolded.
"What? That's what she is," Caroline shot back.
Bonnie shook her head with exasperation.
"That's not what—You know what? Never mind. Maybe it just wasn't meant to be. Maybe he wasn't the one."
"I don't need the one. I need security!" Caroline huffed, falling dramatically back in her chair.
Bonnie sympathized with her friend. Anyone might mistake Caroline for some gold hunting seductress, but Bonnie knew better. Caroline had ambition. But for a woman, ambition hardly had an outlet. Money and a decent status could provide for them what their gender prohibited. Bonnie just wished that Caroline put her happiness somewhere in the equation.
"You'll find it," Bonnie said, she leaned over and squeezed her friend's hand reassuringly. "Because when you have a goal, you won't stop until it's finished."
Caroline offered Bonnie a genuine smile.
"Life would be so much easier if I was born a man," she said.
Bonnie thought once more about Davina and nodded.
"I couldn't agree more."
The sun was down by the time Bonnie had finished her mending. The streets were now unabashedly full of ladies of the night. Shady and respected gentlemen alike casually strode across the road, poking their heads into the open doorways of buildings where the sounds of groans and moans pierced the crisp night air. Bonnie walked the streets with her head held high, doing her best to avoid meeting anyone's gaze. Bonnie did not fear the streets, despite the various dangers that lurked. She had always been able to handle herself. But drawing unnecessary attention to herself would do no good, especially if word got out about recent events.
She had just made it in front of her home when she felt a hand grab her and pull her away, tugging her into a dark corner of an alley. Bonnie let out a startled grunt but did not scream as she immediately pushed the person off her with her magic. Her attacked slammed against the wall, falling down with a groan.
It was a man who appeared only a years older than herself. Whether or not he actually was remained a mystery. Bonnie recognized the coldness of his touch. Only the worst kind of demons felt of frost. Vampires.
"Tell me what you want or I will fry your brain so bad you'll be crawling like a rat on streets until the next century," Bonnie hissed, holding her hand out as she tried to gauge what she was up against.
The vampire lifted his hands to his sides, slowly getting up from the ground.
"Easy, love," he said. His voice was gruff and low. "I'm only here to make you an offer."
The vampire didn't make any more movements, but Bonnie didn't drop her hands.
"Who are you," she asked.
"My name is Enzo. Enzo St. John. But most know me as Enzo Salvatore."
Bonnie couldn't control the gasp that came from her. Salvatore was as well known as Mikaelson in London for all the wrong reasons. Rumor was, the vampire family's founders, two brothers, had interfered with Klaus Mikaelson's plans a century ago. No one knew the details, but they knew you did not get involved with the Salvatores without making an enemy of the Mikaelsons.
"I couldn't help but overhear you at the opera the other night. You're looking for work, and I happen to know a vampire in need of a witch. He's prepared to meet any demands you might have, as long as you sign your magic to him," Enzo said when Bonnie made no move to interrupt him. He lowered his hands, dusting off his trousers. "This vampire is an arse, but I guarantee he will be a better master than any of the fools who will come knocking at your door once the word spreads."
Bonnie lowered her arms, taken by surprise. She had not used a privacy spell during her conversation with Davina. That was her mistake. Still, she hadn't imagined anyone would seek her out so soon. She hadn't even decided if she was putting herself on the market. To become what Enzo was saying, to take a vampire as a master and sign away her magic would be to become shunned by the rest of the witches. She would be no better than a Vicki Donovan flaunting her bosom in the streets.
But there was Grams. She could give her everything she ever deserved. She could make sure she lived for many years to come and died comfortably in luxury. She could her the security the Bennets never had.
"I need time," Bonnie replied after breaking from her thoughts.
Enzo nodded.
"You have twenty-four hours," he said.
"I need more," Bonne demanded. Enzo shook his head.
"Twenty-four is all we can give you. Mr. Salvatore's…interests cannot wait. I will send a carriage for you at this time tomorrow night. If you accept, step in it and it will take you to the Salvatore manor," Enzo said. He cracked his neck, rubbing it with the back of his hand. "As much as I enjoyed being thrown into a wall, I best be going. It was a pleasure to meet you, love. I hope to see you tomorrow."
With those last words, Enzo sped off into the night. Bonnie stayed in the alley, feeling the cold breeze against her skin. Twenty-four hours. So much good be done in twenty-four hours, and yet she knew one decision would eat up all that time. Possibly Twenty-four hours of freedom before a lifetime in chains.
Please let me know what characters you would like to see moving forward. I am open to all suggestions!
