A/N: Thank you to all my lovely reviewers and followers sorry for the wait.
To the guest user gonnahaveagood: Thanks a bunch I'm glad u like the fic and the way I did the timeline and Vincent's character. To answer some of your queries:
I deliberately made it so that Stefan or anyone else didn't make an attempt at interfering with Caroline's plans. If Care couldn't enjoy exercising her free will in canon she sure as hell was going to in my version of events. And I truly believe Caroline's one of the few vampires with the ability to control herself minus her humanity.
There is defo no Steroline in my fic's canon aside from them as a brotp.
I think I also should've made it clear in the timeline explanation that the sirelines have not been broken so Caroline has no idea who she descends from. At this point no one does, unless they were explicitly told; knew their sire (like Marcel) or were part of Finn/Kol's sireline and died when they did.
Marcel did put down Klaus but only because he was pretending to be on the Tristan/strix's side he didn't directly put him down because he personally aligned himself against Klaus, if that makes sense.
Also yes Cami makes a small appearance in this. Yes she does know Klaus, not personally tho he's a patron in her bar. For the purpose of this story Cami knows nothing of supernatural activity. There is no romantic history between her and Klaus. I may make her appear once again if it's relevant although she won't play a big part.
Hope that helps you or anyone else that was slightly confused. As the story goes on you will understand more (hopefully).
Mid-City, New Orleans
Freya Mikaelson sat at a table hunched over a scroll, studying it intently. She mumbled to
herself as she did. Dark rings had begun to formulate underneath her eyes and exhaustion was written all over her features.
She jumped, and shrieked in shock, as she felt a person's hand on her shoulder.
"Shh love, it's only me."
She turned to see Lucien standing behind her, and slowly exhaled a sigh of relief.
"You shouldn't creep up on me like that," she scolded him, turning her back on Lucien to refocus on what she was doing.
"Apologies love, my intention wasn't to scare you," he said repentantly.
Freya nodded but didn't look up.
"Freya, love, don't you think it's about time you turned in for the night?"
Freya lifted her head in surprise.
"You know, in order to get some rest?"
Freya swivelled around fully and looked at him as if he had suddenly grown 3 heads.
"I'll rest when my siblings are freed," she said decisively.
Lucien let out a long suffering sigh.
"Freya, you know your dedication and loyalty to your family are two of many qualities I admire in you. But unfortunately your self sacrificing nature is also somewhat of a flaw," Lucien said, moving to pull out a seat next to her.
"You may be a very powerful witch but your body is still very much human and it needs rest," he urged.
She stared at him, her eyes red and bloodshot.
"How can I rest, when my brother remains in agony, imprisoned in the hands of that madman and his lunatic sister, along without Rebekah and Elijah?"
"Even if you stay up all night, I doubt you'll find a way to cure all of you siblings at once," he pointed out.
"I have to try," she insisted.
"We will find a way to help them. On this you have my word. But your well being is just as paramount, why do you think I'm here?" Lucien implored.
"Well Klaus is your sire," Freya noted. "If anything terrible should befall him then your life would be at stake"
Lucien's face softened, and he rested his hand back on Freya's shoulder.
"You know that's not the only reason I'm here," he murmured affectionately, his thumb tracing gentle circles on her shoulder.
Freya's breath hitched almost inaudibly but Lucien didn't miss it. Her face flushed and she shifted in her chair, before rising abruptly to gather her things.
"You're right," she said, flustered "I think I might to get some rest after all,"
The French Quarter, New Orleans.
The Plaza was one of the largest, most grandiose, ballrooms in New Orleans.
Men in finely tailored suits and women in outrageously expensive gowns floated elegantly inside, all with the top halves of their faces covered with masks.
Women in exotic outfits hung from the ceiling, with only long strips of material keeping them suspended in the air.
Sultry contemporary music played as servers carried platters that held delicate flutes of champagne and sumptuous appetizers.
As Caroline entered the dimly lit room, she couldn't help feeling out of place despite the finery she was adorned in.
In a shopping spree in some of the Quarter's finest boutiques, Caroline had compelled her self a royal blue dress, some shoes, and a beautifully jeweled mask to wear that evening.
Even though the dress she wore startlingly resembled the dress Klaus had gotten her, for the night of the Mikaelson ball; Caroline had convinced herself that the fact that she had been so drawn to it was only a coincidence.
When offered, she picked up a champagne glass but didn't drink. Thinking it better to keep her wits about her.
For a moment, she stood and took in the atmosphere.
Soon she spotted someone, a man, tall and lean, weaving his way through the crowd.
He wore a mask but from what she could make of his features not covered by the mask, he was quite handsome. She panicked when she could see that he was purposefully walking toward her, praying he wasn't about to request to see her non-existent invitation.
She didn't, however let her practised, beauty queen smile drop and made certain not to look his way until he drew near enough to her that it would be impossible not to notice him.
As he approached, he removed his mask, gave her a blinding smile and stuck out his hand.
"Good evening, I couldn't help but notice you from across the room as soon as you came in. My name is Ethan, Miss?-"
"Anastasia Lockhart," she supplied without missing a beat.
Before she arrived that evening, she decided that it would be wise to come up with a fake name to use at the party,, as a safety precaution and to avoid any chance of being linked back to Klaus.
Granted, it wasn't the best fake name of all time, by her own admission, but she'd tried out a few, introducing herself to her bathroom mirror a couple of times and that was the one that Caroline had felt the most comfortable using.
She extended her hand to Ethan and he took it and placed a kiss on the back.
"Anastasia,what a beautiful name," he said flashing that winning smile again. He asked if he could refill her drink (despite it being obviously untouched) but she accepted, thinking that a little casual flirting wouldn't hurt to bide her time.
Ethan was charming, witty and well travelled if not a bit predictable as well as coming off a tad arrogant.
But he was hardly the worst man Caroline had ever come across.
From what she could gather, this wasn't his first time attending one of these events so he was definitely 'in' - whatever that meant.
Caroline was dying to pick his brains for more information, but she didn't want to look suspicious or reveal too much of herself.
So she stuck with what she knew how to do, which was smile and flirt and laugh in the right places as Ethan yammered on about himself.
Eventually, the intake of guests increased and it became hard to hear anything over the din of the music and the chatter.
He leant over and murmured into Caroline's, ear.
"I'm gasping for a cigarette, we can talk in the foyer just outside of the hall."
She nodded, and allowed Ethan to lead her out of the ballroom.
As they left, he jerked his head toward a set of doors that looked as if they lead to a balcony.
"Out here's a bit more private," he said.
When the stepped onto the balcony Caroline couldn't help but gape at the breathtaking view of the city offered from where they stood. Ethan lit his cigarette and turned to grin at her.
"Marvellous isn't it?" he commented.
"Yes it's incredible," she breathed.
"Do you smoke?" he asked holding up the packet.
She shook her head.
"No, no thank you."
Seeing the way Ethan was looking at her from the corner of her eye; she turned to him and said casually.
"I think maybe we should go back inside the party now."
He cocked his head.
"What's the rush? Don't tell me your cold!?" he joked.
"I just don't want to miss too much of the evening," she said, turning to leave.
He grabbed her arm, not too violently but with enough force enough to stop her.
"Stay," he implored, closing the gap between them. "I promise you'll have a lot more fun out here with me," he winked, then did what looked more like baring his teeth then smiling at her.
"I don't think so," she said gently, removing his arm from her own so she could leave.
He flashed in front of her and he looked as if he were about to give another succession of protests when a flash of black and white appeared and Ethan's body was suddenly thrown across the balcony, colliding with the nearby wall.
Her saviour straightened and fixed his suit and Caroline immediately recognised him.
"Hey buddy, what's up?" Ethan stammered, obviously intimidated.
"Leave. Now," said Marcel, glaring at the crumpled heap of vampire on the floor.
He gave Caroline one last fleeting look and flashed through the doors.
Caroline opened her mouth unable to speak for a moment and the said,"I could've handled that myself you know?"
"Are you crazy!? Marcel snapped, turning to look Caroline in the face.
"I tell you to run, to leave this city, as far as your legs can carry you and you decide to seat yourself right in danger's lap?!"
"That guy wasn't a problem, like I said, I could've taken care of it if I had to," she insisted.
"I'm not talking about that guy!" he growled. " Do you even know where you are? You're currently surrounded by the world's most deadly, vicious group of vampires, you don't belong here!" he said, ushering her back inside.
"Look I want to help okay?" Caroline insisted.
Marcel sighed.
"That's nice and all, but you can't, so the best thing for you to do is go before you get hurt. Now I can't leave," he said pulling out his cell phone, "but I'll call one of my guys and in no time-"
"Marcel."
A female's clipped British accent floated in through the foyer and both Marcel and Caroline's attention was drawn to the woman in front of them.
She was tall, and lithe, with short cropped hair, and large almond shaped eyes. The silver evening gown she wore, contrasted against her rich dark skin.
"Aya," Marcel replied, straightening himself.
Aya's brown orbs flickered toward Caroline and then back to Marcel.
"Marcel where are your manners? Introduce me to your new friend," she said giving him a humourless smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Uh Aya, this is..." Marcel began hesitantly.
"-Anastasia," Caroline interjected. "Anastasia Lockhart, pleased to meet you," she said confidently, stepping forward and offering her hand.
Aya looked down at it, somewhat skeptically, but extended her own and shook it with what Caroline considered far more force than was necessary for a simple handshake.
"Enchanted," Aya replied cooly.
"Will you be joining us inside? The evening's main event is just about to begin," she asked looking expectantly at them.
Before either could answer, a sharply dressed man strolled purposefully into the hallway scanning around, as if he was looking for someone.
His eyes landed on the group.
Aya appeared to sense his presence almost immediately.
"Tristan," she greeted without turning around.
"What is going on here Aya?" he demanded, with the same crisp foreign accent.
"Marcel was introducing us to his friend," Aya explained "Miss... Anastasia Lockhart," Aya said gesturing to Caroline.
As Tristan stepped toward her, she noted he had a regal air about him. She felt a strange urge to curtsey.
"Miss Lockhart," he hummed, pressing a kiss against her hand "What a delight to have an exquisite beauty such as yourself in our midst this evening,"
His hair was a chestnut brown in a cluster of cherub-like curls which rested on his forehead. His eyes were a cold and greyish shade of blue and his mouth curled at the sides into a small hint of a smirk.
As her released her hand, Caroline caught Aya throwing her a look which could only be described as vitriol and her posture stiffened significantly.
"Tell me, Anastasia," Tristan said, "Is your interest here purely social, or do you wish to... join us?"
"Are you referring to the initiation?" Caroline ventured.
"Indeed," Tristan nodded.
Not knowing what else to say, Caroline just smiled confidently.
"I think I have what it takes," she blurted out, before she could stop herself.
Aya let out a small titter, and an amused grin appeared on Tristan's face.
"Well confidence is always appreciated here," he smirked. "Good luck my dear, I do hope the odds are in your favour."
He extended the crook of his arm for Aya to take and lead them back into the ballroom.
Marcel let out a antagonised sigh and ran his hand down his face in exasperation.
"Marcel-" Caroline started, only to be cut off.
"-You're in way over your head," he said. "You really have no idea what you just got yourself into."
And without saying another word, he left her standing there alone.
When Caroline reentered the party, a more classical style of music was playing and people were whirling their partners around the dance floor in time with the orchestra.
When the song ended, everyone broke into applause.
Then the lights dimmed and there was a hush throughout the room, save for a few curious murmurs.
Tristan appeared on the stage followed by a petite woman in a turquoise, fish-tailed evening gown.
She subtly resembled Tristan, except her eyes were a sharp emerald green. Her heart-shaped face was framed by her long red tresses, curled to perfection.
Tristan raised his glass and tapped it lightly to get everyone's attention.
"Good evening comrades," he said, surveying the room."As you know, the evening marks a very special occasion in our calendar."
"The question is," the woman beside him continued, her shrill voice ringing through the room, "who among you has what it takes to join our ranks?"
The room broke out in hushed murmurs once again until Tristan held up his hand for silence.
He stepped down from the stage and offered his hand to the woman to help her down after him.
Aya then floated through the crowd and stood in front of the guests.
"Will those who wish to be initiated step forward?" she asked scanning the room.
The crowd almost immediately parted in the middle, and a large circle was formed. A tall leggy brunette stepped forward; followed by a Filipino man with a tattoo covering most of his neck.
"Is that all?" Aya asked, narrowing her eyes.
Caroline shut her eyes and took a deep breath, then, she too stepped forward.
If she wasn't mistaken, she saw a small, almost taunting, smirk appear on Aya's face as she did.
"No more?" she asked. "Good. Very well then. Let us begin."
Once again, the room broke into applause. Caroline began to wonder if they were under compulsion and were being forced to clap; like in North Korea.
Tristan walked toward the volunteers, admiring them.
"It seems we have fresh talent," he observed, turning back to glance at the redheaded woman who smiled conspiratorially at him.
He stopped and held out his arms on either side of him.
"Now, which one of you is brave enough, to attempt at besting me?"
At first, nobody moved. Surely this was a joke?
Caroline looked over at her opponents. The guy with the tattoo looked about as reluctant as she felt. But the girl looked as if she was toying with the idea.
"Oh come now," Tristan drawled, "there must be one of you up to the challenge?"
Before anyone could stop her, the brunette girl bared her fangs and charged in Tristan's direction, ready to attack.
Tristan did not so much as flinch until she came near.
Then he stuck out his arm and tore his hand into her chest.
As far as Caroline could tell, she was the only one to gasp. Much to her embarrassment.
The girl choked and spluttered; blood pouring from her open mouth.
"Please..." she gasped, grasping at Tristan's arm, trying to gain some leverage.
Tristan merely gave her a somewhat disdainful look and released her.
Minus one heart.
Her lifeless body slumped to the ground, and Tristan held up the dead organ for all to see before tossing it aside.
He pulled out his pocket square and wiped the blood from his hand.
"The first thing you ought to learn - and quickly," he emphasised, "is manners. Respect for one's superiors. That sort of brazen insolence won't be tolerated here, understood?"
It was framed as a question, but it obviously didn't require an answer.
Both Caroline and the guy next to her remained frozen on the spot.
"Aya, if you please," Tristan said nodding in her direction.
Aya snapped her fingers and two hulking men, both and least 6"3, appeared to pick up the girl's lifeless body and carry it from the room.
"You'll notice," Aya started, breaking the tense silence, "that you're lacking in the way of a daylight ring."
Caroline frowned in confusion. What was she talking about she had her-
No.
Wait.
It was right there on her hand.
The guy next to her seemed to come to the same realisation as her, at the same time, if his panicked expression was anything to go by.
"Fear not," Aya soothed. "You'll get them back... as soon as you find them that is..."
"Someone in this room has borrowed it for the time being, your task, is to find out who. Do so in the next hour and you get to live," Aya said with a cold reptilian smile.
Caroline didn't need an explanation for what would happen if she didn't.
"For the rest of you," Aya said raising her glass, "please, enjoy your evening,"
The lights went back on and the orchestra began to play a lively upbeat tempo.
The guests all turned and resumed socialising as if nothing had just happened.
Caroline turned to look for the guy next to her but he had disappeared into the crowd.
15 Minutes left.
Caroline was starting to become desperate.
She thought about it. It was only 8:00, she had all night to try and get back to Mystic Falls. She would get Bonnie to conjure her up another daylight ring and she could put this whole mess behind her.
That is, if they let her leave.
Marcel was right, she was way out of her depth.
Marcel.
Marcel.
Why hadn't she thought of it before?
She made her way through the crowd, listening out for his velvet southern dialect amongst the dissonant chatter.
Eventually, she found him speaking to an attractive tanned woman in a gold dress.
She stood at a distance, hoping to catch his attention without having to go over to him.
By chance, he looked up and his eyes found hers. She jerked her head in the direction of the hallway and disappeared before he could indicate an answer.
In the 5 minutes it took him to arrive, Caroline paced back and forth desperately wishing he'd hurry up.
"What do you want Forbes?" he asked, pulling her further down the hall so they wouldn't be seen.
"And before you ask; no, I haven't got your daylight ring," he assured her.
"I need your help," she said, looking at his from under her lashes hoping to invoke some sympathy.
"Hey, I wish I could, but I'm not allowed to help you," he said stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Even if I wanted to, even if I knew who took it, Tristan and Aurora would have my head."
"Is that his sister?" Caroline asked "The redhead?"
"Yeah, and neither of them are someone to mess with. Hell, I'm taking a risk even being out here talking to you. From now on, you're on your own Anastasia," he said heading back in the direction of the party.
"Look please!?" she begged. "You must've made it through one of these initiation thingies, right? Just tell me anything you know that might help me!"
Marcel took a deep breath and paused on the spot.
"Just... Think about the people who were close to you tonight. The daylight ring came off your hand, it's gotta of been someone in close proximity right?"
Leaving her with that, Marcel slipped his mask on and turned to leave.
Caroline wracked her brains.
"Anastasia, what a beautiful name."
Of course.
"Tonight's hopefuls. Your time is up," Aya announced. "Have you managed to identify the scoundrel who stole from you?"
"Yes," Caroline said confidently stepping forward and causing the room to erupt in whispers.
"By all means do share," Aya prompted, tilting her head curiously.
Caroline scanned the room and just as she had anticipated, there he was.
Ethan. Sipping a drink, and whispering something into the ear of his female companion.
"Him," Caroline said boldly, pointing in his direction. As everyone turned to look, he paused and his face paled as he looked around nervously.
"Step forward young man," Aya ordered him.
The crowd parted, and he shuffled nervously toward the front.
Aya circled him in a predatory fashion before turning back to look at Caroline.
"You only get one guess. Are you quite sure?" she asked.
Caroline nodded, although it felt as if her heart had sunk into her stomach.
Aya grinned,letting her hand slowly slide into Ethan's pocket making him jump. She tried the left then the right.
"Nothing in here," she said.
Next, she went for his suit pockets at the front.
"Nothing in here either."
Caroline was sure if she was still human she would've broken into a cold sweat by now.
Aya then reached into the inside pockets of his jacket.
"Well, what exactly do we have here?" she said, extracting a silver ring from the pocket.
Caroline inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
Aya tsked.
"Now what were you doing with Anastasia's ring, sir?" she asked in a chastising tone.
Before Ethan could answer Aya pulled back her arm and sliced it through his neck as if it were made of steel.
Ethan's head flew off his shoulders and rolled unceremoniously onto the floor.
Without being called, this time, the same men arrived to collect his remains.
"Magnus?" Aya said, turning to Caroline's opponent. "Have you figured out the culprit responsible for your ring's theft?"
Magnus was silent for a moment and then lifted his head.
"The doorman, he took it as I came in," he stated.
The man in question was dragged in and before Aya could question him Magnus flashed over himself and pulled the ring from his pocket.
The man's eyes filled with fear and he backed away from Magnus attempting to flee from the room.
"Leave him," Tristan commanded with an uninterested flick of his wrist "It's hardly worth it," he said leaving the man to scurry away.
"Congratulations are in order for the two of you it seems," Tristan said giving Caroline and Magnus an approving nod.
"I suppose the kind thing to do would be to initiate both of you. However, our guests tonight," he said gesturing to the room, "have come to witness a show. And as their host, I feel compelled to oblige them."
The crowd began to cheer and clap in a more raucous fashion than before, and Caroline felt unease creeping into her stomach.
"A fight to the death," Aurora announced lifting her glass. "Winner takes all,"
The guests formed a circle around Caroline and Magnus before either of them had a chance to protest.
At first, he looked as reluctant as she did but once he realised neither of them had much of a choice he removed his jacket and let his vampire features show.
Caroline quickly removed her heels and did the same.
"Begin!" Aya shouted.
Immediately Magnus charged at Caroline pulling her into a headlock. After some struggle, Caroline managed to flip him over her shoulder.
Using his position on the floor to her advantage she pinned him down and sank her fangs into his neck
Mangus cried out and grabbed her wrist twisting it until it snapped gaining him some leverage and throwing her off of him.
Caroline couldn't help dwelling on the sorry condition her dress must be in at that point. She wished she had gotten a heads up that she'd be fighting for her life that evening.
She would've compelled herself something less expensive.
As she was thrown off of him she immediately rose to her feet.
They circled each other for a moment, before Caroline moved to attack him; headbutting him and making her elbow collide with his jugular.
From then on, a few blows were exchanged back and forth, from what Caroline could tell in terms of vampire years they were about the same age and therefore matched for strength.
Magnus, unfortunately, managed to gain the upper hand on her at the last minute pinning her down with her arm bent in an unnatural position.
"Sorry blondie," he snarled. "End of the road,"
Magnus smiled, and drew his hand back. Just as he was about to plunge it through her chest a voice rang through the ballroom.
"WAIT!"
Everyone paused, looking for who was to blame for interrupting what promised to be a thrilling climax to the fight.
Marcel Gerard pushed his way through the crowd, holding the doorman by the scruff of his neck.
"He cheated," Marcel bellowed, pointing at Magnus.
"Marcellus, what is the meaning of this?" Tristan demanded.
"This man-," he said, chucking the doorman into the ring, "-is a human. Did anybody arrange for Magnus here, to have his daylight ring stolen?"
Aya turned back to look at Tristan, and he and Aurora shared confused looks with one another.
"He compelled the doorman to take his ring from him, so he'd automatically be entered for the initiation process," Marcel explained.
"That's a lie!" Magnus shouted, standing up and releasing Caroline from his grasp.
As he did, she gasped in relief, standing up and attempting to rectify her dishevelled appearance.
Marcel picked up the cowering doorman again and made it so his face was level with his.
"Why are you here?" he asked, looking him directly in the eye so the compulsion could take effect.
The man's eyes glazed over, and he answered robotically."That guy," he said pointing to Magnus. "He brought me here and made me hide his ring,"
In light of the new development, the guests began to murmur amongst themselves. Marcel raised his eyebrows and gave them a 'see, told you' look.
Aurora was the first to speak.
"Well I do so despise a liar," she said, her face suddenly turning very dark and infuriated. It looked almost out of character on her pretty face.
Veins appeared under her eyes. But instead of turning black,the usually white part of her eyes turned discoloured shade of red. Her fangs appeared longer and sharper than usual.
She flashed toward Magnus growling demonically.
He backed away his expression pleading.
"No, wait... I-"
Aurora sank her fangs into his neck, ripping at his flesh, causing him to let out a piercing shriek, unlike anything Caroline had ever heard.
But Aurora didn't stop. She tore into his neck until his head had come off of his body entirely.
When she had finished, she licked her lips and regarded those watching her with what could only be described as an impish grin.
"Why is it always the traitorous ones who are the tastiest?" she said, cocking her head and lifting her arm to wipe her lips.
For the first time that night, there was a deadly silence.
"Well it appears we have a winner," Aya said stiffly breaking the silence. "Anastasia, congratulations."
Caroline straightened and made an attempt to look as if she had known what she was doing all along.
"Have this cleaned up," Tristan murmured to Aya who nodded.
Tristan then whispered something to Aurora and pulled abruptly at her arm, leading her away from the crowd.
Slowly, the guests all began to drift away from the scene. The music started back again, but this time, there was clear contention in the room.
Caroline let out a shaky breath she didn't know she was holding, she managed to locate her shoes from across the room and picked them up with the intention of going to get that drink she felt she more than deserved.
"Hey," a voice said behind her "You okay?"
She turned to face Marcel and managed to give him a smile.
"Thanks to you," she replied.
"You're damn lucky girl. All I can say is that there must be someone important up there who likes you," Marcel said taking Caroline's shoes from her.
"Let's get you a drink,"
After a few rounds of whiskey, and a reassurance from Marcel that she wouldn't have to sign her name in blood anywhere and that the worst was over, Caroline thanked him once again anddecided to leave.
As she headed out, she collided straight into a blonde woman with spiked hair and dark eyeliner who moved to stride past her without so much as an apology.
"Hey! Uhm scuse' you," Caroline snapped. She'd really had enough for one evening.
The woman spun around, her face calm and impassive.
"I'm sorry," she said stepping toward her.
Being 5"7, it wasn't often Caroline felt overwhelmed by another woman's height, but this woman was so tall she practically towered of Caroline in her 8-inch heels.
"Please accept my sincerest apology," she said grasping Caroline's hand in hers.
As she did, Caroline felt something crumpled pressed against her palm.
"Have a good night Anastasia," the woman said winking, before strutting off into the crowd.
Caroline looked down to see a note in her hands.
She unfolded it and read what it said.
Meet at the old abandoned church,
Midnight
Don't be late,0
A. x
Caroline stared down at the message in confusion
Either her life had turned into a Pretty Little Liars rerun or she truly had bitten off more than she could chew.
A/N: I hope it was worth the wait guys, reviews are appreciated and are likely to make the next chapter come faster.
Tell me what you think, of the story, and thanks again for all the lovely reviews so far.