Chapter 13:
Kol kept his promise. He never mentioned what happened to anyone, and Mari was grateful for it. She didn't think she could handle a lecture from Freya or threats against her father from Klaus. It was better that it stayed buried. After all, she had no reason to go back. She got everything she wanted or needed from her house.
Things were quiet for a few days. Mari felt like things had settled down and maybe the boys had gotten tired of the games they were playing with her. After all, to them, she was just a conquest. It was unlikely, in her mind, that she was anything more than that. Not to people like the Mikaelsons.
It wasnt until a few nights later that things suddenly changed for the worst. Mari had just gotten out of the shower when she heard a cry of pain from downstairs in the courtyard. Her heart began to thud painfully in fear of what might have caused someone to make such a sound.
Despite being afraid, she threw on some shorts and a tee shirt and headed out onto the balcony to look down at the courtyard. Marcel, the man who had held her hostage momentarily before, was bound to a chair, steel chain cuffs around his wrists and ankles. He was bleeding in several different places. Blood poured into his eye from a noticeable cut on the eyebrow above. Her hand flew up to her mouth as she observed Klaus strike Marcel harshly.
"You're lucky I can't kill you with that serum in your system," Klaus hissed angrily, striking Marcel again. "You're foolish, Marcel, for ever thinking you could beat me. I have always been, and will always be your superior."
"No King's reign lasts forever," Marcel told him, spitting blood at Klaus' feet. "All empires must fall." Elijah shifted behind Klaus, his arms folded. In a fit of anger, Klaus grabbed Marcel by the shoulder and popped it forward violently, causing Marcel to cry out in pain again, shaking Mari to her very core. He was in so much pain, and it was clearly dislocated now.
"Are you so cowardly you must go after a mere girl in a feeble attempt to get to me?" Klaus scoffed at Marcel. "You truly are pathetic."
"You rushed to her aid," Marcel chuckled. "Doesn't seem so feeble to me." Suddenly, Klaus thrust hus fist into Marcel's chest, and the sound of flesh tearing and bone crunching made Mari sick to her stomach. Marcel shouted again as Klaus' hand dug deeper.
"I should kill you, Marcel."
"You should," Marcel agreed. Klaus squeezed something inside of Marcel, assumably his heart. As Marcel's chest started to heave, Mari rushed to the railing.
"Stop it!" She screamed down at Klaus. He yanked his hand back and looked up at her. Elijah glanced up at her, then back to Klaus. "Don't kill him. I told you not to kill him."
"Return to your room," Elijah told her calmly. "This is a family matter." Mari rushed down the steps, heading straight for Klaus with as much courage as she could muster up. Klaus looked at her with fury, his eyes dark and his jaw clenched.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"I can't watch you kill someone," she told him honestly, body trembling in fear. He wouldnt hurt her. She had faith in that much at least. She walked around to the back of Marcel's chair, bending down to figure out how to open the chains. She decided instead to pull the pin loose to release the chains from the chair. Klaus stepped towards her threatening.
"Leave us be, Marigold," he growled like an animal. Her eyes widened a bit, but she didn't stop. She loosened all the chains from the chair, then stood.
"Get out of here. I don't have a key for the chains, but run anyways," she told Marcel, moving to stand in front of him. "Don't kill me and we're even."
"Deal," Marcel said, and he vanished. Elijah let out a sigh of disapproval, then rushed off after him. Klaus stalked towards Mari, taking her by the shoulder and pushing her back into the nearest pillar.
"What do you think you're doing?!" He snapped at her, causing her to flinch. The feeling of blood on her arm made her stomach churn. Klaus had grabbed her with his bloodied hand, and now Marcels blood was soaking through her shirt.
"Klaus, let go," she asked softly, putting her free hand against his chest. "I told you. I didnt want to be the reason someone was killed."
"He's after my family!" Klaus said through his fangs. "He assured his death the moment he vowed to get vengeance against us. I will do anything to protect my family. You're a fool to think this is about you. In sixty years you will be ash, but my family will remain."
"And I won't be an accessory to murder," she shot back, her chest aching with the pain of his words. Klaus saw it in her eyes, the pain and the heartbreak. Her previous vision of him was shattered, and now all she could see was the monster many thought him to be. His grip on her loosened. "Tell Elijah I want my room back at the hotel."
"That's not necessary."
"I wont stay here anymore," she shook her head, prying her arm away from him. "My debt is paid. Im getting a job, and I'm getting my own place." She rushed back to the stairs, trotting up them and practically running back to her room.
Klaus watched her go, and he couldn't help but feel a little guilty. Sure, she had royally wrecked his plans for dealing with Marcel in her childish desires to be the hero. However, she was young and human and she hadn't been exposed to the blood they had shed in the past to protect their family. It was new and sudden for her. Perhaps he had been too harsh.
Mari sniffed back tears as she began packing all of her things into the duffel she has her personal items in. It wasn'ta good idea for her to stay anymore. Mari had never seen anyone die before, and she knew that if she didn't leave, one day she would have to witness a murder. The deepest parts of her trembled at the thought.
Once everything was stuffed into her bag and zipped up, she sat on the end of the bed with her knees pulled to her chest. Mari wasn't entirely convinced that releasing Marcel was the right thing to do. Elijah probably caught up to him, given the chains that were still around Marcel's wrists. He may be dead despite Mari's efforts.
Still, it gave her a little comfort that she didn't just sit back and watch Klaus slaughter someone. Even if Marcel threatened her, he hadnt hurt her or killed her before. He easily could have, but he didnt. Their encounter, while frightening, wasnt enough to sentence Marcel to death. She did the right thing for her own conscience, if nothing else.
When her doorknob turned, Mari braced herself for the worst. Klaus was furious with her, evidenced by the bloody handprint on her shoulder wherehe grabbed her. Surely there would be light bruises where his fingers dug into her skin.
Relief washed over her when it was Kol who stepped into the room. He closed the door gently behind him and lingered there for a moment.
"It seems you finally realize the reality of this family," he sighed, leaning back against the door. "I warned you that he was not the gentle beast you thought him to be. We are all bloodthirsty creatures. Killing is natural to us, and concerns us very little. You, however, are the epitome of pure and innocent. You don't belong here."
"I'm not staying," she reassured him. "This is... my last night here. Maybe my last night in New Orleans. I need a fresh start."
"You're giving up on him, then?" Kol questioned. Mari's gaze dropped to her feet, and her face flushed slightly. Tears flooded her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away.
"I made him so angry, Kol. He's given up on me, I'm sure."
"What about me?" He pushed. "Are you giving up on me?"
"Kol," she sighed. "I dont... think either of you ever really wanted me the way I wanted you. I wanted... to love and... to be loved. A real, intimate kind of love. I was a distraction at best for the both of you. I need to say goodbye before it gets too painful for me to leave."
"So then this is goodbye? Will you really never return?" Kol wondered, his face stoic, hiding any real emotion from her. She wanted to know how he felt and what he was thinking, but his face was unreadable. Maybe he really didn't care.
"I may still be in New Orleans, but... only until I can get my brother out of that house." She hugged her knees tighter. "I really loved being here."
"When I killed Davina, I knew that I would never love again. I couldn't. I would forever be afraid of destroying someone else I cared about." He approached her slowly, then reached up to brush his thumb over her cheek and wipe away a tear that had escaped. "Perhaps it is best that you go. I would only hate myself more if I caused your death."
"You're not doomed forever, Kol," she told him with a sympathetic frown. "You'll find someone else that you love. When it doesnt hurt anymore and the love can be... real." She took his hand in hers, pressed it to her cheek, then let it fall away. "You have to let yourself find it, Kol. And let yourself be happy." She moved back to where she was packing her things.
"Are you so sure that you're not someone I can love?"
"Im sure it's too soon for you to love someone, Kol," she told him honestly, zipping up the duffel bag. "Maybe if it had been a different time, when... the pain wasn't so fresh... maybe then..." She stopped for a moment, leaning against the bed and closing her eyes. Her own pain was fresh.
It hurt to leave when she had invested her trust, faith, and heart into the Mikaelsons. Into Kol and Klaus. She had nowhere to go, no one to help her or to rely on. Once she left, for the first time, she would be completely on her own. She would have to find a way to get her brother away from her parents, and maybe then they could make a life for themselves somewhere else. Away from vampires and witches and their drunk, abusive father.
"Mari," Kol breathed her name, and she realized suddenly how close he had gotten to her. His hand curled around hers, pulling her around to face him. "You don't have to leave."
"Klaus must hate me, Kol," she shook her head.
"He certainly does not. My brother has a temper, I won't lie, but he does not hate you." He held her hand tighter. "Stay here until you have a place to go. Until you have a job. You're safest here. Once you saved up enough, I'll personally help you find a place of your own, outside of New Orleans. I'll make sure it's safe."
"You would do that for me?" She asked in bewilderment.
"Is that a yes?" Kol's face finally gave way to his true feelings, and they were sincere. She hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded her response.
"Okay. Until I save enough... I'll stay." She let out a long sigh, hoping her choice wasn't a mistake. She could avoid Klaus if she tried hard enough, and this way, she wouldn't be stuck out there on her own. Kol brought her hand up to his lips, kissing the top of it softly.
"Rest now, Mari. I'll take you to a place I'm sure I can get you a job tomorrow." He released her hand, then left the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts and her decision. She flopped down on the bed, bringing her hands up to her face. Mari prayed she wasnt making a mistake, and she hoped, if nothing else, Marcel would stay away from her as promised. Maybe she hadnt made a mistake after all. Not being a target gave her some relief at least, enough to let her fall asleep that night without horrible nightmares.
Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed the chapter :) leave a little review to let me know what you like or hope to see. So i can decide which direction to go in. Feedback helps me update quicker lol thanks for reading!