Chapter 8:
Mari slung her duffel bag over her shoulder. It was light, since she didn't have too much to pack anyways. She guessed it was a good thing, since Elijah had told her to leave at dawn, before the rest of the house woke. Mari figured he was worried about what Freya would have to say about her being moved to a hotel instead of staying at the pound.
Elijah apologized for the inconvenience, and he paid for the room she was staying in, ensuring that it was a large room, a suite she guessed. It was nice of him, but she was admittedly a little disappointed to be removed from the compound. She'd grown to like it there. Never feeling alone was a relief after years of feeling isolated.
Regardless, it was their home. Elijah politely asked her to move to a nearby hotel, and she had no room to argue. She thanks him for everything, then went on her way. There wasn't anything else to do but pack and head to the hotel room he provided for her.
It was a nice room. He hadn't been lying about that at least. She set her bag down on the end of the bed, moving to the window to look down at the street below her. She missed the balcony, but it was still a nice view. Unfortunately she wouldn't be able to hear any music, or to smell the pastries baking across the street from the compound. She was cut off from all of it now. All except the view.
Mari helped herself to the shower. She sat at the bottom of the tub for a long while, thinking about what would come next. Of course she wasn't going to be with them forever, but it was the closest shed been to a family that actually loved each other. It was nice to see them all interact, and to not feel so lonely for awhile.
However, she was aware of the major difference between her and the Mikaelson family. She was human, they were not. That fact couldn't be denied, and Mari understood it was the reason she would eventually have been pushed out of the door regardless. Her stay was temporary; she had to remind herself that when she started to miss it.
She spent the whole next day in the hotel room. There was still that slight fear of running into her mother or father should she go into town. It wasn't like she really had any friends to meet in the area anyways. Most of her childhood friends had left town a long, long time ago. Any that remained were married with kids, too busy and too diligent to pay any attention to someone like Mari.
Just as the sun started to go down, Mari decided she needed to get out for awhile. Sitting around with nothing but mindless television and her own thoughts was making her more restless. After another shower, she dolled up a little with a hint of makeup and extra curls in her hair. She got dressed in a nice blouse with white lace sleeves and tight jeans, then headed down to the lobby.
Once she was outside of the hotel, she took in the sights and smells of New Orleans. She was right in the center of all of it, thanks to Elijah. He had picked out a lovely hotel, and it made it all the more difficult to be upset about being moved. Deep down, she knew why he asked her to leave. It ultimately had to come down to Kol, and it hardly surprised her that Kol wanted her to leave.
People moved about all around her, some holding hands, and others with locked arms. Being alone during the busy night life of the city was both dangerous and slightly painful. All around she saw couples and large groups of friends soaking in the scenery together. Mostly tourists, she guessed, not that it bothered her. Fresh faces were nice.
She settled down in a bar after walking some ways. Mari sat at a stool at the end of the bar so that she was far from the other people there. The bartender made his way down to her after a few minutes, and she ordered a rum and soda, the only drink she really liked anymore.
A man suddenly appeared beside her, offering a kind smile and ordering a drink of his own. She smiled politely back at him, then forced her gaze down on her own drink.
"You're too pretty to look so lonely," he said after a moment. Her gaze flicked up to him briefly, her cheeks flushing slightly at his remark. She said nothing, though, so he spoke again. "What's your name, sweetheart?"
"Mari," she answered, glancing up at him again. She downed the rest of her drink, then turned to look him in the eyes. He was a handsome young man, which surprised her. Mari wasn't used to being hit on, but then again, she hadn't been out to a bar in a couple years.
"Mari," he repeated like he was tasting it on his tongue. "Would you like to take a walk with me, Mari? It's loud in here."
"I'm good. Thanks," she told him, sliding off the stool. "It was nice to meet you, but I think I should be getting back. It's late." She dropped a couple dollars on the counter, then headed for the door. Once outside, she felt her while body jerk backwards almost instantaneously. Mari whirled around to see the same man from the bar, holding her by her wrist, grinning at her.
"What's the rush, doll?" He asked, tugging her back with enough force to cause her to stumble. Once his eyes locked onto her, she realized what he was. His pupils dialted, and before she could run or scream for help, he had her under his spell. "Don't scream or cry. I'll be quick, doll." Fangs slid from his gums, and his eyes darkened. "Just close those pretty little eyes."
Her body obeyed, though her mind screamed for her to do something, deep in the part of her mind that couldn't be compelled into submission. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she felt him tilt her head to the side. Hands gripping his upper arms tightly, she braced for that all too familiar prick if fangs against her flesh.
He bit into her throat without being gentle like she was used to. A whimper escaped her lips, since a sort of cry was forbidden by the compulsion he forced on her. Just her luck. She would be picked out by a vampire in a bar, unable to stop him or do anything to help herself. Kol was right. She wasn't strong, and she couldn't stop herself from becoming a victim.
Suddenly, there was a snapping sound, a sickening crunch of bone. Mari stood there, stunned, panting heavily with her eyes still closed. She wanted to open them, but she couldn't. They stayed shut like a shield protecting her from whatever was there in front of her now, whatever just tore the vampire away from her.
"Mari, love, open your eyes," Came a soft voice. They opened slowly, revealing her savior. Her heart jolted back to life at the sight of Klaus. He stood there, blood splattered against his cheek and throat. A body lay lifeless at his feet, the body of the vampires that was feeding from her. Klaus' eyes were dark with hunger, but he kept a safe distance between them.
"Is he...?"
"He'll wake." It was a simple answer, and his tone was cold, like he didn't really care if the man woke up or not. "Shall I walk you back to your hotel?" He asked, taking a deep breath and letting his eyes return to normal. She stared for a moment, then nodded. He turned and started down the street, so Mari followed closely behind.
"Thank you," she said meekly after a moment of silence, glancing up at his back for a moment before dropping her eyes to the sidewalk beneath her feet.
"Elijah told me he had you moved by request of Kol," he said, stopping in his tracks for a moment. He turned to face her. "When I confronted Kol about this, he explained that he believed you were developing feelings for me. Therefore, for the sake of the family, he asked to have you removed. I told him surely he's mistaken. Is he?"
"To a degree," she said, not really knowing any better answer to give him. "I'm fine with being moved," she lied as best as she could. "If it was bothering Kol, I'm alright with it. Better to get away now, I suppose."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because I would hate to prove him right," she shrugged. "Being around you... It's difficult. I know what you are and what I am. I know what I'm not. So... it's probably easier for everyone this way. That way I don't make anyone uncomfortable."
"So its true, then?"
"It could have been. I'll make sure that it isnt. With some time and distance. Elijah took care of everything, so you don't have to feel bad about it." She sucked in a deep breath. "It's not far. I can walk the rest of the way by myself." Mari reached up with her hand, wiping at the droplets of blood sliding down her neck. Klaus stared at that smear of crimson against her pale skin for a moment, his desire for a taste of it growing more prominent. "Goodnight, Klaus."
"I'll walk you the rest of the way. It's dangerous. The local vampires feed on tourists."
"I'm not a tourist."
"They dont know that," he said firmly. "Let me see you the rest of the way. I'll say goodnight at your door." She watched him carefully for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright." And with that, they started walking again.