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Enjoy :) I worked really hard on this chapter!
Song: Lana Del Rey - Dark Paradise
The compound was a buzz when Belle arrived just after eleven o'clock in the late morning. Humans bustled about as they moved out the furniture from the courtyard and replaced it with decor, flowers and other festivities.
Klaus descended from the stairs to greet her, giving the crew a once-over, seeming to mentally note their progress in his typically controlling, bossy fashion.
She cocked an eyebrow. "Sprucing up the place a little are we? Let me guess, you're having one of the infamous Mikaelson family parties." She smirked as he rolled his eyes.
"It's more of an effort to bring the French Quarter's supernatural community together," he retorted.
Belle scoffed. "Yes, nothing brings a group of people together more than booze and polite chitchat." She moved past him, heading into the house.
He followed behind her, easily catching up to match the strides of her shorter legs. Klaus often used teased her about them, saying that they resembled the short and thin stems of dandelions.
With that thought, she noted how he had juristically changed over the years. His frequent witty banter had tapered off to an occasional joke, usually when they were alone. She wished he could be himself more around other people besides herself and one or two others.
Not the intimidating hybrid who was feared by nearly every man, woman, and supernatural being that crossed his path, but the kind and well-respected man she had met almost nine hundred years before.
England - 1185
Belle sauntered through a dimly lit ballroom on the arm of her younger brother with her head held high.
As young and nomadic vampires they had bounced around from one city to the next, leaving when they got bored or wanted a change of scenery. They had returned to England months before and couldn't resist paying the rumored Original Vampires a visit. And so, they decided to attend a gathering that was being held at the mysterious family's castle.
Humans stood around talking to one another and drinking, enjoying the hospitalities of allusive Mikaelsons. Belle was a young vampire, but she knew another vampire when she saw one and so far she hadn't caught a glimpse of any, aside from Max.
"Do you suppose we will see them?" Max whispered in her ear.
She looked around the room as she replied, "I surely hope so." Her eyes hadn't stopped searching the room since they had arrived.
Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of a man from across the room. She moved her head to the side so she could see around the people who walked past him.
Finally, she got a good look at him. He was fairly tall with curly blond hair that hung down to his shoulders. The clothes that he was wearing were no doubt expensive, though that meant nothing. Everyone there was wealthy. She continued her investigation; there was something about him that stood out to her.
He turned in her direction for what couldn't have been longer than a second, but it seemed like hours in her mind. Their eyes met and she immediately knew that he was a vampire, hopefully one of the Originals. She knew it because of his eyes. Not because they were red, as vampires eyes could turn, because they weren't. They were a dark blue, like the ocean after a rough storm. It was because they were kind of eyes that had seen things. Gruesome things. Things that only someone who had lived at least two lifetimes could ever see. They were the kind of eyes that could tell a story. Their allure drew her in, like a moth to the light.
She seemed to gravitate toward him, slipping out of her brother's grip. He cautiously followed her. "Sister, where are you going?" She didn't answer him.
The mystery vampire turned to her as she approached him, a hint of mirth shone in his eyes. He must have been able to tell that she was a vampire because he didn't give her the usual prey look that vampires gave humans, like they were a walking and talking appetizer.
"Ahhh, young blood. What a joy it is to see some that I haven't turned myself." He kept his voice low enough so only they could hear. He looked them over, seemingly appraising the pair as they came to a halt just a foot or two away.
Belle narrowed her eyes at him slightly. "So you are one of them? The Originals?"
He chuckled at her boldness towards him. His eyes flickered to Max, who stood like a statue by her side, blatantly a little frightening. "Indeed I am, love. Who might you be?"
She spoke without hesitation. "My name is Belinda." She turned to her brother. "This is my younger brother, Maxwell." She stifled a giggle at Max's shocked expression.
He seemed to be at a loss for words for a moment or two. "It's a pleasure to meet you, my Lord." He cleared his throat nervously before turning to Belle. "I'll return momentarily."
She nodded as he walked away before turning her attention back to the stranger. "I don't believe you have given me your name yet, my lord." Her voice was calm and relaxed, like she was talking to an old friend.
"Forgive me, my name is Klaus." He leaned in ever so slightly, eyes locked on hers, and whispered, "but some prefer to call me by Nik." He flashed her a crooked smirk that instinctively evoked one from her.
"Nik, then. You may call me by Belle." Her smirk changed into a confident smile.
Before they could continue their conversation, Max came to stand by her side, grasping her upper arms lightly. "A word, sister?"
She glanced at him and let out a low sigh before turning back to Klaus. "Give us a moment, please."
Klaus nodded, folding his hands patiently behind his back.
Max pulled her off to the side of the room, away from eager ears. "I've just heard wonderful news about Spain, sister. I think we ought to go there. What say you?" There was a hint of excitement in his voice and in his eyes.
He loved adventure and traveling from place to place. So did Belle. But, there was a little voice inside her that said that now wasn't the time.
She shook her head at him. "No, Max. I am not ready to leave." Her eyes wandered over to Klaus, who had struck up another polite conversation with a few humans as he waited. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Not yet."
Present
They passed by the living room when Marcel called out to her. "Hey Belle?"
She pivoted on the heel of her sneakers and poked her head through the doorway. "Yeah?" Her gut told her that he was trying to start something. It was inevitable, after what had happened at the council meeting last week.
"Have you heard the news?"
She noticed the accusing look in his eyes. That was enough to tell her where he was going with this.
Still, she played coy. "What news?" She walked farther into the room and leaned against the row of bookshelves along the wall.
"There have been two other vampires that have turned up dead on the outskirts of town." He shifted in his seat, crossing his legs and sitting taller, like he was about to say something important and incriminating.
"Let's not start this again, shall we, Klaus urged, though his tone showed that he knew it was going to happen no matter what he said.
She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him from across the room. "No, I hadn't heard that."
And, in fact, she hadn't heard that. She had simply assumed that the two vampires would turn up dead after she had questioned them days before. Well, tortured was more like it. Charlotte's lackeys had a nasty habit of staying loyal to her, meaning that they would rather have their insides pulled out from their mouths, not that as Belle had done that, than dole out any information about her whereabouts.
He chuckled menacingly. "I'm sure you hadn't."
Belle rolled her eyes, half annoyed and half angry. She didn't know whether she wanted to punch him in the arm or rip it off. "See you later, asshole." She spun around and walked out.
Belle spent the rest of the day at the compound. She talked to Klaus and Hayley for the most part; Elijah was handling the party plans and Rebekah had taken Davina with her to shop for dresses. Belle was pretty sure that Marcel had went with them to find a suit, so she didn't worry about running into him again and having to deal with his poorly veiled accusations.
The sun was about to set when she got back to the apartment, stopping by to get ready for the party. Max was in his room, adjusting his bow tie in the mirror. She noted a massive pile of suits and tuxes on his bed and chuckled. He turned around to face her, looking a little flustered.
"Need some help?" She shook her head at him in a way that only a big sister could.
He exhaled deeply, eyeing the mass of clothes behind him before looking back into her eyes. "Yes." He gave her his best version of the puppy-dog-eyes.
She sighed, but relented. It wasn't very often that she saw her baby brother so distraught over a boy with his typically player lifestyle. Every once in a while though, he'd find someone he really liked. When he did, Belle tried to help him as best she could. She wasn't a relationship guru by any means; she just wanted to see him happy.
After three more changed of clothes and a glass of whiskey to calm his nerves, Max was finally ready. He was going to stop by Josh's apartment to pick him up before going to the party.
As soon as Max left, she ran off to her room to get ready. Though she didn't like doing too much to her appearance on a day-to-day basis, being a natural beauty, she absolutely loved getting dolled-up for parties. She curled her hair to enhance its already natural curliness and pulled it to one side, pinning it in place. Then, she started on her make-up. She kept it simple with a light pink blush, natural smokey eyes, and nude lips. She shuffled through her closet in search of the perfect dress. At last, she settled on a beautiful blue dress that matched her eyes. It was strapless and backless, flowing elegantly down to the floor. If it weren't for her four-inch heels, she'd be walking on it.
After giving herself a final look in the mirror, she headed out.
The compound was already packed when she arrived. Cars lined the block and crowds of people walked in after being checked off by the bouncer at the door. She snorted, a bouncer. Really? She guessed it was necessary to keep lurking tourists away. They probably thought it was a rave.
She didn't have to get her name checked off, the man recognized her immediately and let her in.
The courtyard was alive with people drinking and dancing. Vampires, witches, and werewolves alike, though they kept almost exclusively to their own faction.
Her eyes scanned the room until they found a familiar face, Hayley. She smiled and walked over to the soon-to-be mother of her best friend's miracle child. "Don't you look great," Belle appraised.
Hayley smiled. "Thanks. You look amazing too." She looked down at her dress for a moment. "It was a bitch to find a dress that could actually fit. I'm scared out of my mind thinking about her getting any bigger. I already feel like a blimp!"
Belle shook her head and waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. Having a baby is a wonderful thing. In the end, it'll all be worth it." She kept her tone optimistic so as not to ruin the upbeat mood with details from her dreary old life.
She noticed that Hayley's eyes locked on a figure across the room, Elijah. She grinned and gently nudged Hayley's arm with her elbow. "Well, well, well. Looks like the pregnancy hormones are getting to you." She laughed.
Hayley discretely punched her in the arm. "Shut up." She kept her voice hushed.
Belle saw her cheeks flush red and laughed even harder. "So, you do like him." Hayley glared daggers at her. "I knew it!"
Before she said anything else, Belle noticed a figure that was walking behind Elijah. It was Klaus, clad in an all black suit. She used all her strength to keep her face relaxed and unchanged.
Apparently Hayley saw right through this. "Please, feel free to pick your jaw up off the floor," she whispered. "Along with your panties."
Belle rolled her eyes. Before she could shoot anything back, Elijah and Klaus walked up to them.
"I need a drink." Belle spun around and walked away in the opposite direction. She really did need a drink, but mostly just wanted to get away so she could collect her scattered thoughts.
She ordered a glass of white wine and leaned back against the bar as she sipped from it. She spotted Max in a corner talking to Josh and Davina. He seemed happy, which made her smile.
"Do you want to dance?" a voice asked from behind her. She knew it was Klaus before she even turned around. His voice was very distinct.
She shrugged casually. "Sure." She finished her drink and set the empty glass down on the bar.
He gingerly took her hand and they walked out to the dance floor. It was a slow song, so she placed one hand in his and the other on his shoulder, while he placed his other hand on her waist. She resisted the urge to shiver under his touch.
"Now that I have you alone, there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about." His voice was low and a little husky.
She swallowed nervously, having two different scenarios in mind, the first being more optimistic and the second being more terrifying. She hoped it was the first one.
"What is it?"
He looked her straight in the eyes before speaking. "Well, I've been thinking a lot lately about something I heard."
"About what?" she asked, keeping her eyes locked on his as she tried to project confidence.
"About what Marcel said." Her heart dropped. "At first I didn't want to believe it, but I'm afraid I have to ask. Do you have anything to do with the murders?"
Her eyes flickered away from his, a reaction of both nervousness and disbelief. She exhaled and looked back to him. "I didn't kill them, Klaus. You know that." She narrowed her eyes questioningly at him. "Don't you trust me?"
He visibly stiffened. "Honestly, I'm beginning to think that I can't. You've been so secretive lately. How can I know that you're not lying to me?" He tried to disguise the hurt in his voice, but she heard it loud and clear. They had always been nothing but honest with each other and she hated having to keep this from him.
Her rational side told her to be honest, but she wasn't up for being rational. She told herself to do whatever it took to keep him in the dark as best as she could.
In the past he had stopped her from pursuing her revenge, worried that she would get herself killed. Granted, there had been a few times where she had in fact come face to face with death because of it. That's when he told her to stop.
She shook her head at him. "God, Klaus. I've been your friend for centuries, stood by your side and been nothing but completely and utterly honest with you. Doesn't that mean anything?"
She expected to see some semblance of remorse in his eyes, but only saw his rising anger. "Of course it does. But I know when someone is keeping something from me. And, as you know, when it involves my city I won't stop until I find out." He didn't bothering hiding his fury.
She scoffed at him. "Yeah, I think we're done here." Her face was hard as stone as she pulled away from him. "Goodnight, Niklaus." She only used his real name when she was mad at him, as his siblings did. She turned and quickly walked out, pushing past everyone roughly if they got in her way. If they were smart, they'd let her by without saying anything.
When she got home she was just as, if not more, angry as when she had left.
On her way to her room she grabbed two bottles of Jack Daniel's from the liquor cabinet. She slammed the bedroom door and unzipped her dress, shimmying out of it. She kicked off her heels and opened the first bottle.
By the time she went to bed, she had finished the first bottle and was halfway through the second. Blackout drunk and blissfully numb, she crawled into bed and immediately fell asleep; passing out would be a better way of describing it.
She didn't want to think anymore. Her thoughts were her enemy that night.