Hi everyone! So excited to have received such kind feedback for this story! I'm sorry if the build-up is still a little slow. I'm not used to having so many characters involved and such a large over-arching plot. I hope a sprinkle of Klaroline will help make up for this. :)
Enzo picked up a pretty brunette on his way back to Salvatore Manor. All of the witchy business had left him starving.
The girl had been on the streets. A rather popular piece by the looks of it. He had promised to give her twice whatever her highest offer was for the night. The number she gave him was far too high, but he was feeling generous.
"Not here," he said when she tried to lead him inside her Bawd's house. He hated the thick fumes of incense and poppy that permeated whore houses. He liked to keep his night out's as classy as possible and preserve whatever dignity he had left. "You will come spend the night with me in my rooms."
He thought he would have to compel her. Harlots were smart girls. You had to be to survive in such a line of work. To go to a man's house would be to give up the safety of your pimp's domain. Murder was always a risk. But the girl looked at his fine clothing and greeted him with an eager smile as he led her into his carriage.
"I am in the market for a keeper," she whispered in her ear when they were in the carriage. "If I please you tonight, will you take me?"
Ah. So she wasn't stupid. She was simply desperate. As she pushed her body into his Enzo appraised her. She was a pretty girl, too pretty for the streets for sure. But such was the time they lived in.
"What's your name?" he asked her as her lips fell mere centimeters from his own.
"For the price you are paying, you can call me whatever you like, but most know me as Vicki. Victoria, for a fine gentleman like yourself."
Enzo chuckled, grabbing her wrist and lifting it to his mouth.
"Well, Victoria," he purred, his eyes beginning to turn red as fangs protruded over his lips. "Let's see if you taste as good as you look."
When they arrived at Salvatore Manor, Vicki was pale. He had to compel her to keep her quiet. Enzo wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and carelessly stepped down from the carriage.
"Get her a vial of my blood from the stores and bring her back to my room," Enzo said to one of the servants, some compelled mortal they had picked up somewhere. "Make sure she is properly cared for until I return."
The servant nodded and Enzo entered the building.
The Salvatore estate was what the exceedingly wealthy liked to call a "humble home." It lacked the outward glamor and lavish charm of the Mikaelson home but was nothing to scoff at. It had three floors and plenty of rooms for the inhabitants to brood inside of—an activity most of them partook in quite often. But Enzo knew that the person he was looking for would not be shut away tonight. Not with the news that had recently reached them.
Damon Salvatore sat in the middle of the parlor room looking positively murderous as he reread the letter he had received from his brother just that morning.
"Listen to this," Damond said as Enzo entered, not bothering to look up at him. "Dear brother. I know that you will not agree with the course of action I have chosen to take, but it is not on good conscience that I could ignore the situation."
Damon scoffed, holding the letter out to Enzo with a grimace. Enzo took it from him.
"Since when do vampires have a conscience?" mumbled Enzo. Damon took a swig of bourbon. Enzo noticed the bottle, one that had been full and stored away for a number of years, was almost empty.
"No one actually has a conscience. Only the Stefans of the world who think they are somehow deserving of punishment, forgetting that punishment extends to their family. Yet no one would ever call him selfish," said Damon with a scowl. He looked at Enzo as if seeing him for the first time. "Did you get my witch?
Enzo sat next to Damon, taking a glass of bourbon for himself.
"I believe so. She has twelve hours to make her decision, but I have faith she'll come," Enzo said. He frowned, rubbing at his neck. "You didn't say she was likely to attack. Nearly got my brain fried, mate."
Damon snorted.
"What did you expect her to do? Run up and hug you? She's a Bennet witch. Of course, she was going to attack. That's why I didn't go talk to her myself," Damon smirked.
"Are you sure we need her?" asked Enzo, his voice turning serious. He held up the letter. "We've managed before without a witch, and with Rose and Lexi we could hold our own."
"We could hold our own against chumps and baby vamps with a knack for stupid decisions," said Damon. "Not the originals. We already stole Klaus' doppelganger once, and now Stefan was stupid enough to do it again. We're not just going to need a witch if we want to survive. We are going to need a shit ton of luck."
Damon was staring at the nearly empty bottle of bourbon, dangling the glass from his fingertips as he stared at in thought.
"His choice might very well kill us all," said Damon. He let out a long sigh. "But he's family."
"Family," Enzo repeated. He clapped Damon on the back. "Shame our family makes such stupid choices."
Damon snorted, but Enzo could see the weight his friend carried. He could see in Damon's blue eyes that he was envisioning all that could possibly happen to them in the coming weeks and all that they were putting at risk.
"No man left behind," Enzo said quietly. "Isn't that the Salvatore way?"
Damon's lip turned upwards, but there was no smirk on his face. He lifted his glass to Enzo.
"To no man left behind," he said.
"To family," Enzo echoed.
Their glasses clinked. The Salvatores were about to face a war, but for the night they drank.
Despite the events of the night before, life moved on, and Bonnie Bennet was determined to move on with it.
Early in the morning, she went to the market. She kissed her sleeping Grams' forehead before sneaking out, careful to avoid any alleyways.
Bonnie had always been good at making decisions. She was known for her excellent judgment, but she had never dealt with vampires. The witches in London were careful to make their streets as vampire-free as possible. Sure, they walked around amongst the living. Those who managed to find a pretty witch to seduce managed to get daylight rings and live normal lives amongst their mortal peers. Well, as normal as a healthy diet of blood could make a person. Others stalked the nights, leaving blood-drained harlots in the middle of streets. No good could come of vampires.
"Six shillings," the witch, Sophie, said behind her booth, sending daggers at Bonnie. Sophie was one of the cheapest herb sellers in London and a family acquaintance.
"It was three yesterday," argued Bonnie.
"Well, it's six today," the witch said. She took the herbs that were in her outstretched hand, put them back in the pouch, and pulled them out of Bonnie's reach.
"What is your problem?" Bonnie asked. She couldn't remember doing anything to insult the girl. Sophie had always been finicky, but she had never been unfair.
Sophie glared.
"Sorry, I don't give discounts to whores who make deals with vampires."
Bonnie was about to respond, but a new voice interrupted her.
"Now, Sophie. Do you always have to be such a bitch?"
Cassie, another witch, one younger than both Bonnie and Sophie, appeared at Bonnie's side. Bonnie was surprised to see Sophie stiffen. The young witch held out a small sack of coins and threw it at Sophie.
"I believe that should be enough to cover what Miss Bennet needs," Cassie said.
Sophie reluctantly handed Bonnie the herbs. Cassie held out her arm. Bonnie took it, confused by the exchange but feeling as she had no choice but to follow the younger witch's lead, and the two began to stroll the streets.
Bonnie never knew Cassie very well. She had always been closer to Davina then herself as they had been a part of the same coven. From what Bonnie had gathered, the girl was kind enough but a little timid. She did not seem timid now. She walked with an air of grace about her that seemed foreign. It made Bonnie uneasy.
"Don't pay too much mind to Sophie," said Cassie. "She's always listened too closely to gossip."
"Oh?" asked Bonnie, on her guard for reasons she did not know. "And what gossip might you be listening to?"
"We know you've met with Davina," Cassie said. "You weren't exactly clever about keeping yourself discreet."
Bonnie kept her features controlled. She did not know what Cassie could possibly want, but she had a feeling there were others watching their interaction.
"That's because I didn't care to keep it hidden," Bonnie defended. She thought it best to get straight to the point. "What is it you want with me, Cassie?"
Cassie gave a small smirk. It didn't look right against her features.
"You were always a pragmatist. Very rational. That's why our coven always wanted the Bennets," Cassie mused. Her grip grew tighter on Bonnie's arm.
"Davina Claire was selfish and stupid. She couldn't do what her coven asked of her and she ran from it. Now she is paying a price far greater than what we could have ever done to her. But you, Bonnie, are not stupid. I suggest you don't prove yourself to be as selfish as that harlot."
Bonnie's anger flared. She released her hold on Cassie and backed away from her.
"You think I would do this out of selfishness?" Bonnie hissed, unable to believe what the younger girl was saying.
Cassie folded her hands in front of her, still perfectly composed. If Bonnie didn't know any better, she would have she was amused.
"Just be careful of your choices," Cassie said. She began walking once more, her lips lacing into a final smirk. "We'll be watching."
Bonnie watched her walk away, clutching the herbs tightly in her palms, one word playing over and over in her head.
Selfish.
Caroline Forbes was annoyed, not an uncommon emotion for a woman living in a society that left women bored and purposeless. She was annoyed about a lot of things. Her father was off running across Europe with some smarmy duke. Her mother was far less interested in her daughter's marriage prospects then she was about keeping her away from any possible danger London had to offer. The only danger that Caroline felt she was in was of dying an old maid.
"Miss Forbes?"
The door of the cobbler shop opened, and Caroline looked up, ready to send whoever it was away. She was too annoyed to deal with the company of gentle-willed store owning men looking for a pretty bride. Caroline knew her worth. She just needed someone else to recognize it.
Joshua stood at the doorway, looking sheepish as he smiled at her. Caroline instantly wished she had worn her blue dress, it made her look more mature than the pink smock she had on. She knew it didn't matter much what she wore for the boy. He would never be interested in her as a romantic partner. Caroline didn't want his romance. She wanted his name so she could create her own future, one that didn't involve a life of mending other people's drawers.
"Mr. Rosza, I was not expecting you. Do you have another jacket you would like fixed?" said Caroline, struggling to hide the eagerness in her voice She moved away from the front desk to meet him with an adoring smile and innocent touch her hands to his. Men could be clueless, and she needed to make sure her interests were known.
"Actually, I could use some help getting some stains out of this collar," Joshua said. He held out a shirt to her. Caroline took it, her smile faltering. There was only one thing worse than mending clothes, and that was cleaning them. Caroline inspected the stain, her nose wrinkling.
"Is this blood?" she asked.
Josh shrugged, looking embarrassed.
"It's just from a cut, nothing to worry about," he said.
Caroline pursed her lips.
"O-kay," she said, stressing out the vowel sound. She busied herself with folding the shirt on the table. Her mom would have something to get the blood out, and if she didn't Caroline would just find a new shirt to replace it.
"How long have you been friends with Davina?" Josh asked, referring to the fact she had given him a note for the girl just the other day. Caroline turned to him in surprise.
Davina Claire's and Caroline Forbes' lives had only intertwined briefly. The younger girl had accompanied Caroline and Bonnie on numerous occasions. Caroline had always liked her. She was a clever girl with a kind heart. She always had more tact than Caroline did, able to keep her wit on a tighter leash. She had always been a little envious of her too. She was beautiful in all of the subtle ways Caroline was not. Bonnie might be Caroline's best friend, but Caroline knew that Davina and her had secrets that Caroline would never know. She had caught them whispering to each other in fast, hushed voices behind closed doors.
And then Davina left.
There was no warning. No hints or subtle clues. Davina Claire disappeared only to be seen the next day on the arm of Lord Klaus Mikaelson. She had become a Harlot.
Caroline didn't know if she was disgusted or made jealous by the girl's choice.
"We grew up together," Caroline said, not sure how she wanted to answer the question. "We aren't exactly friends."
Josh's face fell.
"That's a shame. I was hoping Davina had some other friends. The Mikaelson's aren't always cheery company," said Josh.
"You're friends with Davina?" Caroline asked, raising her brows. "Davina Claire?"
Josh nodded.
"She's my best friend. I was going to invite you to come see her as a surprise. Things are a little tense at the manor, and I'm sure she would appreciate a kind face" he said. He gestured towards the door where his carriage waited outside. "It was nice to see you, Miss Caroline."
Before he could take another step, Caroline extended her hand to catch his. It wasn't exactly proper, but Caroline's mind was reeling.
"Wait!" she said. She took a breath to gain her composure. She gave her most charming smile. "When I said we weren't exactly friends, it's because we're more than that. Practically sisters. I would love to see her."
Joshua cocked his head to the side, clearly taken aback by the sudden change. Before he could open his mouth to say anymore, Caroline brushed past him and headed towards the carriage.
"Shall we?"
"Tell me, Rebekah, how difficult must your life be right now having to decide whether or not to have gardenias or chrysanthemums at your little party? I surely cannot envy what it must be like to be in such a position."
Klaus smirked at his sister who stopped barking at one of the servants long enough to shoot him an annoyed glare. At the center of the Mikaelson's ballroom, Rebekah looked like the perfect shadow of their mother. Beautiful, regal, and completely in charge. Fortunately for her, she had a hoard of brothers to remind her just how out of control she really was.
"What do you want, Nick?" Rebekah huffed, clearly not wishing to put up with his shenanigans.
"Well, seeing as I am stuck waiting for a boat to dock and release my doppelganger, I figured I might as well spend my valuable time helping you through the ball of the century." Klaus gestured around the room. "Clearly this is a daunting task."
"May I remind you that this party helps protect our family," Rebekah hissed. "If you don't believe me, believe Elijah. He's the one who insists I throw it every year."
"Seeing as my brother is the one who convinced me it was best to let my first doppelganger willingly complete the ritual, I have little trust in his judgment," Klaus countered.
"Would it really kill you to try and not act like a total arse during the dance?" Rebekah said. "You could always bring a date."
"Now Rebekah, I have the lovely Davina to wear on my arm."
Rebekah gave him a curious look.
"Really? Not going to parade around your Petrova doppelganger?"
Klaus chuckled.
"Ah," he breathed. "See, I have learned from my mistakes, sister. Doppelganger gets locked away until the next full moon once she arrives in London. Not taking any risks this time."
"Yes, because we all know how you feel about risks," Rebekah scolded bitterly.
Klaus ignored her.
"What about you?" he asked. "Convince Marcel to save you a dance?"
Rebekah's lips puckered tighter. She suddenly looked more interested in the floor.
"Marcel is a bore at a party," his sister said, although Klaus suspected she was avoiding some truth.
He was about to let out another retort, loving to see his sister get all riled up when something stopped him. A new voice.
"Miss Forbes, I must insist you don't go that way!"
"Come now, Joshua, I only want to look."
Rebekah and Klaus turned towards the ballroom entrance to stare at the newcomers before they even reach the entryway. An exceedingly pretty young woman walked through, followed by a very anxious looking Joshua Rosza. The girl stopped when she saw the Mikaelson siblings.
"Lord Mikaelson," Josh said. "We were uh, what I mean is…"
The young man scratched the back of his neck, clearly already anticipating it being snapped off his body, but Klaus paid him no mind. He was too entranced by the blonde beauty gazing back at him with a mix of curiosity and wonder.
"Joshua," said Klaus, still not looking at the boy. "Don't be so rude. Please, introduce us to your friend."
Rebekah gave Klaus a sideways glance, clearly unsure of what her brother was up to, but she was smart enough to stay out of it.
"I'm going to go talk to the maids about polishing the floors before Friday. Don't get them dirty while I'm gone."
Rebekah sent a pointed look in Klaus' direction, warning him not to drop any blood, but Klaus' thoughts were nowhere near on how he was going to get his next snack.
Josh coughed as the sound of Rebekah's heels hitting the ground began to fade away. Caroline and Klaus continued to stare at one another.
"My name is Caroline," the girl said. She gave a small bow, looking no less than a princess. "Caroline Forbes."
Klaus never paid much attention to women. His brothers often joked that he must be interested in men with how little attention he paid to the ladies. Usually, those conversations ended with a snapped neck (and it wasn't his). Women had seemingly regressed since his time. They were taught to be docile and quiet. They simpered and batted their lashes and filled their brains with the latest fashions and gossip. There was nothing wrong with these things, except for when they became the only topics of conversation. Caroline's forwardness in introducing himself intrigued him just as much as her pretty face.
Klaus stepped forward and took Caroline's hand, placing a gentle kiss on her knuckles.
"I invited her to see, Davina," explained a still nervous looking Josh. "They're friends."
Klaus could tell from the way Caroline's heart beat slightly faster that was probably untrue. He gave her a small smile, and he surprised how unsmirk-like it felt.
"Well then, my apologies love. She isn't feeling well. Can't accept visitors at the moment."
Truth was, Klaus had forbidden Davina from leaving her room while she went over the proper steps necessary to break the hybrid curse. He didn't want anyone to bother her. That included a certain younger brother of his who had not been happy that Klaus told him he was forbidden from seeing her. The last thing Klaus needed was his witch to be unprepared because Kol's tongue distracted her from her duties.
"That's a shame," Caroline said. Klaus still held her hand in his. She didn't pull away.
Josh clearly did not know what to do in this situation. He shuffled his feet underneath him.
Unfortunately, Klaus did not have time to play with a mortal girl—no matter how pretty she might be. Shame. Perhaps once his doppelganger business was finished he could see if her mind was as beautiful as her lovely face.
"Yes, well. I must go see to my sister. Planning a party. Poor thing is running herself ragged, Joshua, please tell me you plan to invite Miss Forbes to the ball this Friday," Klaus looked at Josh for the first time, staring holes into his head as he smirked. "My sister assures me it will be the party of the century."
Caroline turned to look at Josh, who had no option but to follow Klaus. He might work for Marcel, but he knew the consequences of going against the strongest Mikaelson.
"I was just about to ask her to be my date," Josh said through clenched teeth, looking awkward as he gave Caroline a forced smile.
The girl's eyes lingered on Klaus. And for a moment, Klaus thought it he had a heart it might have sped up. Just for a moment.
"I would love to," Caroline said, meeting Klaus' eyes one last time before turning back to Josh.
Klaus' smirk stayed on his face as he watched them leave. Perhaps Rebekah's ball wouldn't be so tiresome after all.
Bonnie stroked her Grams' cheek with a damp cloth, and old woman let out a relaxed breath and Bonnie smiled at her.
She was still seething from her conversation with Cassie. She felt filthy, even though she had yet to outwardly break any of the witches' rules. It was the word that Cassie used. Selfish. She couldn't understand it.
Bonnie still had yet to make her decision. Enzo's words rang in her ears on repeat. Over and over she imagined the vampire's face as he told her his offer and the time limit that came with it. He was the answer to her problems. But it wasn't the answer that Bonnie wanted.
"What's troubling you, sweet child? A girl your age shouldn't look so serious. Not even when she is a serious witch." said Shelia Bennet. The old woman took her granddaughter's hand in her own. "Don't tell me those coven witches are already trying to recruit you. Not a foot in the grave and they already go after my flesh and blood."
Bonnie forced a smile. Shelia's eyes might be tired, but they were still wise. She wondered if her Grams really wondered if the witches were after her, or if she already knew what Bonnie had been offered.
"No covens have knocked on my door. I think you convinced them not to mess with Bennet witches a long time ago," Bonnie said, honestly.
Shelia let out a laugh that quickly turned into a cough. Bonnie lifted a glass of water to her grandmother's lips and helped support her as she took long sips.
"Grams," Bonnie whispered when she was done. She sat in front of her on the bed so she could look her in the eyes. "What do you think is the price of security?"
"In our time and with our class? Always too high," Shelia said without a moment's pause. "What price are you being offered to pay?"
"A high one," said Bonnie. She didn't elaborate. She didn't know how.
No witch liked a vampire. Coven or not, the vampires were unnatural beings. They destroyed when a witch's job was to create. Worse, they challenged the power of the witches, and there was nothing more a witch liked than his or her own power.
"I see," said Shelia. Her smile had disappeared, but she didn't look disappointed or angry.
"Are you going to try to dissuade me?" asked Bonnie, suddenly wishing she could tell what her grandmother was thinking even if her thoughts were filled with disapproval. "Because Grams, I can save you. I can give you the life you deserve, and don't try to tell me that you are too old or don't need me to help you. I love you, Grams. I want to help you."
Shelia shook her head. She took Bonnie's hand in her own and squeezed it tight.
"Oh sweet child," Grams said. "Don't pretend that you're doing this for me."
Bonnie stared at her grandmother in shock.
"Grams, what-?"
"Now I know, baby girl, you love me. You want me to live. But you know I've already lived life," Grams said. "No, this offer that's been made. Oh, yes, I know there has been an offer. This is about what will become of your life when I'm gone."
Bonnie opened her mouth to protest but no words came out. Her hands began to shake, and she couldn't stop the tears that began to fall down her face. Grams always said tears made a woman strong. Bonnie didn't feel strong.
"I'm scared," Bonnie said. "It's always been you and me, Grams. What's going happen to me when you're gone?"
Shelia Bennet scooted closer. She grabbed her granddaughter's face in her hands.
"What's going to happen, what will happen, that's going to be up to you. You are strong, Bonnie Bennet. The strongest woman I've ever seen. No one is going to master your fate but you."
Shelia let out another cough and Bonnie hugged her close.
"I don't want to lose you," she whispered.
"You'll never lose me," Grams said. "I'll always be there. No matter what you decide. I'll be there. Remember that, Bonnie."
Bonnie let her tears dry on her Grams' shoulder. The two women held each other tight. Bonnie made her decision. It was selfish, she realized that now. But time was short for a witch. Shelia Bennet always knew that. It was time Bonnie learned.
The carriage pulled up exactly twenty-four hours after Enzo had met Bonnie. Finn watched the girl enter it from one of the upper-level apartments, eye trailing the carriage until it was out of his sight.
"You convinced her," he said, looking over his shoulder. The witch, Cassie, sat on the love seat. She held a book of spells, reading them to herself. Her eyes didn't look up as she spoke to the oldest of the Original siblings.
"I merely pushed her," she said. "I think her mind was already made up."
"How long do you think it will take?" asked Finn. Cassie closed her book. She got up and went over to the vampire, placing a hand on his cheek.
"Don't worry son," she said. Her eyes glinted. "It won't be long now."
Get excited, because next is a Bamon interaction! It will certainly be interesting. ;)
I want to clarify that Caroline is very much season 1 Caroline at this time. She hasn't turned, and she is very attracted to the lifestyle of the upper class. Klaus has yet to reveal his inner (and often outer) jerk, and therefore I expected her to be attracted to him much like she was Damon in season 1. As the story progresses, Caroline will become a much bigger presence.
Please let me know what y'all think! I'm always happy to hear suggestions.
