{"id":522,"date":"2024-08-17T00:42:26","date_gmt":"2024-08-17T00:42:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=522"},"modified":"2024-08-17T00:51:57","modified_gmt":"2024-08-17T00:51:57","slug":"chapter-02","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=522","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 02"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Chapter 02<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

\u201cI stand by my original statement,\u201d Davina said as she finished casting her spells on Bella and got to her feet as she looked at Kol. \u201cHer life is linked to yours. It has been since she came back with you. Of course, making herself the vessel to the end of the Ancestors\u2019 influence on you didn\u2019t work against the flaw in her spell, either.\u201d Davina wasn\u2019t too happy about this turn of events, not at all. Kol had never spoken of Bella to her, not until he was dead himself, but for a witch to go through all the trouble she had gone to save the Original vampire, made Davina wonder who Bella was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Was she merely a very good friend, an ex-girlfriend or a crazy stalker from Kol\u2019s past? Was she going to be dangerous? Was she going to get between her and Kol?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGreat,\u201d Kol grinned as he looked at Bella. \u201cTime for your third chance of life, Bella!\u201d Oh, he knew that she hadn\u2019t wanted this at all. But times had changed and people were more open and understanding towards people who were a little bit different. Bella was going to be fine, like she had been in the last few weeks after she came back with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She felt tired and unhappy. Unwanted, as Davina kept her eyes firmly trained on Bella. \u201cI can\u2019t stay here, I\u2019m intruding on your life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI understand, darling,\u201d Kol sat down next to her and pushed a strand of her hair back. \u201cWhere did you stay for the last few weeks?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn a hotel room, courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Tucker, who were shocked by my resurrection – they were having intercourse near my grave. Since I believed that I wasn\u2019t going to survive your bite today, I checked out. But not to worry, I\u2019m sure I can find some place to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI could ask my brother Elijah to see if there\u2019s an old inheritance in your name? Seeing as the Cullens were quite established—\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want their money,\u201d Bella growled as she wrapped her oversized jumper around her and got off the bed. \u201cI believe that there are still shelters around.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not going to stay in a shelter. Then at least allow me to pay for a hotel room, or an apartment even! Bella, that\u2019s the least I could do for you since you\u2019ve saved me from doing some major damage today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella saw the determination on his face, and despite not wanting to have anything to do with him at the moment, she sighed and nodded. \u201cVery well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGreat! Now, I\u2019m sure Davina won\u2019t mind if you\u2019d take a nap on her bed while we go and find you somewhere safe to live,\u201d he said as he kissed the top of her head. \u201cMaybe find you some clean clothes, too?\u201d He gently pushed her down to the bed and tucked her in. \u201cAnd I won\u2019t tolerate \u2018no\u2019, Bella. Go take a nap, we\u2019ll be back shortly. You\u2019re safe in this room.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol waited until Bella was indeed asleep before leaving Davina\u2019s cozy home quietly with his girlfriend in tow. \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d He asked as he took Davina\u2019s hand and softly kissing it as they left the church. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think that she\u2019s going to have a really hard time adjusting and finding something she\u2019s passionate about. She may have been a witch and she\u2019s capable of some<\/em> magic, I didn\u2019t quite feel that she was too powerful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was enough back in the day,\u201d Kol shrugged. \u201cShe didn\u2019t even want it, at first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe has a big heart, maybe she can go work at an animal shelter or something. I doubt anyone has the patience to deal with her when it comes to her magic. She\u2019s great with herbs, I have to give her that. It was brilliant to turn herself into a potion to save you. Maybe she can work at Ann\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnn is crazy,\u201d Kol huffed. \u201cBesides, the Ancestors are probably going to be pissed at her for many reasons, including escaping them and curing me, she needs some place safe. I made a mess of her life a century ago, now I\u2019m going to make sure she\u2019s safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davina shrugged. \u201cShe\u2019s likely more than capable of taking care of herself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLikely, but she needs someone to help her with it at first. Aren\u2019t there organisations in New Orleans who help people like her?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat, the homeless?\u201d Davina huffed. \u201cSalvation Army, shelters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s special. No doubt that this new world is still making her head spin and she needs guidance. I\u2019m not the right person to help her with that, neither are you, and I\u2019m not going to burden Niklaus with her. He\u2019s got enough on his mind already.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davina thought for a moment as she looked at him. It appeared that while he was glad that his friend was back and had saved him, he didn\u2019t want to particularly stick around and make sure she was going to be fine. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with her, anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing wrong with her, she\u2019s simply different than you and I. She doesn\u2019t like to be touched, her social skills are\u2026 questionable around strangers, she easily gets tired and overwhelmed,\u201d Kol started to explain. \u201cBack on the Ancestral plane she told me that she\u2019d gotten a lot better with her issues, that she had somewhat healed or at least understood where her being different originated. She\u2019s gone through a lot today, no doubt she has to recharge for days.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a shame that Cami\u2019s interests currently don\u2019t lie with psychology otherwise maybe she could help out\u2026 but I know this healer near the Bayou who is known to take care of the unwanted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBella\u2019s not unwanted,\u201d Kol spat, letting go of Davina\u2019s hand. \u201cShe needs some time and a little help, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd Myriam is the right person to help her with that. Trust me. She\u2019s a 300 year old vampire, well versed in her herbs and used to work in a mental health institution. She had endless patience. She\u2019ll be safe from the Ancestors there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davina smiled at him. \u201cOf course I\u2019m sure. We can go visit her now if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCochon!\u201d <\/em>Myriam advanced at Kol and slapped him, hard. \u201cYou Mikaelsons are supposed to leave me alone!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He had been surprised by her attack, but not really seeing as his brothers liked to make a mess out of things, and was more prepared when she advanced again, grabbing her by her wrists before she could strike. \u201cNow, now, darling,\u201d he purred as he pulled the vampire against him. \u201cThat\u2019s no way to treat a visitor.\u201d Kol was already entertained by this Myriam. It was always fun<\/em> to find a discarded toy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKol,\u201d Davina warned him. \u201cDon\u2019t hurt her, we came here for help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019m not hurting her, darling,\u201d Kol smirked as he let the vampire go, keeping an eye on her. \u201cI\u2019m merely protecting myself, for I have no idea what my brothers have done to her to give me this treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam growled lowly as she rubbed her wrists and looked at Davina. \u201cDavina, so nice to see you again. Will you come in? He can wait outside.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davina hugged her friend and sighed. \u201cUnfortunately, we\u2019re here because of him, so whatever it is between you and the Mikaelsons, you have to let it go. Kol has changed, he\u2019s a good person.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vampire barked out a laugh. \u201cYou\u2019re naive to think that vampires can change, especially him,\u201d Myriam shook her head before shrugging. \u201cFine, come on in so we can talk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol followed the two women inside the wooden structure, and inside Myriam had a cozy yet organised home, with seemingly enough space for more people. \u201cYou live here alone?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam pursed her lips as she pointed at the chairs at the dining table for them to sit. \u201cThat\u2019s none of your concern, Kol Mikaelson. I\u2019m more than capable of taking care of myself.\u201d She sat down and crossed her arms as she looked at Davina. \u201cWhat can I do for you? You need herbs?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, thank you,\u201d Davina smiled at her. \u201cBetween you and Ann I\u2019m well stocked.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEven after your adventure with the Strix coven?\u201d Myriam raised an eyebrow, curious. \u201cIs that how you brought the idiot brother back?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not an idiot,\u201d she laughed, shaking her head. \u201cI\u2019ve heard the horror stories, even Kol himself admitted he hasn\u2019t been always on his best behaviour, but I trust him. And yes, they gave me the power to resurrect him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou mean Klaus Mikaelson\u2019s sacrifice gave you the power to resurrect his brother,\u201d Myriam pointed out. \u201cA sacrifice you\u2019re responsible for, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI had to save my friends, surely you can understand. Had he died, you would have died with everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam slammed her hand on the table. \u201cYes, thanks for that warning, you little rat,\u201d she spat as she slammed her hand on the table again. \u201cI kinda liked being linked to Klaus Mikaelson, it allowed me to keep tabs on him!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut you\u2019re free of him now,\u201d Davina said confused. \u201cMarcel and Josh were happy—\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell I am not! And if you think I\u2019m willing to help you out, you\u2019re mistaken!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHey now,\u201d Kol warned the vampire. \u201cThat is no way to treat a friend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSome friend she is,\u201d Myriam muttered, crossing her arms over her chest again. \u201cYou have any idea how much it hurt? I felt as if I was on fire!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re fine,\u201d Davina shrugged. \u201cAnd now, if Klaus ever gets killed, you won\u2019t die along in the process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDavina told me you like to help lost causes, from time to time,\u201d Kol tried to sound diplomatic, but he couldn\u2019t hide his disgust for this woman who was unhappy by Davina\u2019s actions. \u201cDavina doesn\u2019t need any help, neither do I, but we do know someone who could do with your guidance and expertise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam glared at the Original. \u201cI\u2019ve heard whispers about someone tagging along with Davina\u2019s spell to bring you back. An Ancestor?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHer name is Bella and she\u2019s having a hard time adjusting to this time period. Ah, she came back to save me from the Ancestor\u2019s influence on me and by accident linked her life to mine. I won\u2019t even be able to turn her into a vampire. She doesn\u2019t want to be back, she doesn\u2019t want another chance at living because her first life had been less than ideal. Bella\u2019s \u2026 different from other people and if you\u2019re really as good as Davina told me you are, you are the best person to teach her new things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam was quiet for a moment, contemplating her options. \u201cAn immortal witch, an Ancestral Plane escapee\u2026 did she retain all of her knowledge?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen she\u2019s dangerous to the Ancestors. She\u2019ll be safe here. If I can help her, I\u2019d need to assess her myself so you\u2019ll have to bring her here. Your brother condemned me to live in the Bayou for the rest of my life and I cannot enter my beloved New Orleans.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol groaned as he rubbed his eyes. \u201cWhich one and what did you do to earn this kind of punishment?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t do anything! It\u2019s because of your<\/em> actions that your brother Elijah had to clean up the mess you\u2019ve made and he was surprised that I was a vampire and hadn\u2019t fled at the sight of you! But I was taking care of my patients. Even managed to hide a few from you as you came to collect one of the—\u201d she stopped herself then, before realizing something. \u201cIt\u2019s her, isn\u2019t it? The girl you liberated from the sanatorium came back with you to help you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKol!\u201d Davina scolded him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Kol said defensively. \u201cEasy pickings, darling, I remember most of them being very tasty and very drugged up, it was such a rush! I nearly forgot why I came there in the first place!\u201d The grin on his face grew wider and wider. \u201cSmall world, Myriam, small world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t she get the chance to heal over there?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA little, and she\u2019s fine on that front, I believe but I am no expert. She simply needs some encouragement and life lessons that I cannot provide her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam huffed as she uncrossed her arms. \u201cYou\u2019re no good for anything. Bring her over, I\u2019ll see if I can work with her. However, as my payment, I want your brother to undo his compulsion over me so I can return to the city. A century long banishment is long enough for something you did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd if I can\u2019t get him to do that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen I\u2019m not going to help your friend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davina looked between the two vampires and felt the tension between them. \u201cI\u2019ve broken compulsions before, on a human,\u201d she said carefully. \u201cI can try it on you, Myriam, but who knows how many times you\u2019ve been compelled? And it\u2019s going to hurt immensely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cElijah or no go,\u201d Myriam said as she got to her feet and pointed towards the door. \u201cSee yourselves out please.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol sighed as he and Davina drove back to the city. \u201cThis was not a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou should have thought about that before, wasn\u2019t it you who wanted Bella to return with you? Now that she\u2019s here, you don\u2019t even want her around. Great friend you are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe doesn\u2019t deserve me, Davina, because I\u2019m incapable of caring about someone else other than myself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou care about me, right?\u201d she asked carefully. He must care about her, why else would he have done the things he\u2019d done with her back when he was still a witch and then more recently as a vampire?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course, darling,\u201d he smiled sweetly. Maybe when he was still a human, or a ghost, but ever since she brought him back, all he felt was lust and glad that he had his own powerful little witch by his side. Davina was a means to an end, just like any other witch he\u2019d encountered or dated. Bella had already experienced that and she deserved better than him. She wasn\u2019t as tainted or powerful as Davina. She needed things he couldn\u2019t provide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood, because I was just about to dump your ass,\u201d she countered angrily. \u201cAnd then I\u2019d have gone to Marcel, informed him about you breaking my heart and then you\u2019d be in trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAh, Marcellus,\u201d Kol grinned as he relaxed in his seat as he continued to drive. \u201cSuch a fun little toy he is. I suppose I\u2019ll have to do with teasing Elijah with one of his clean up failures then for now. The prophecy can wait for a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davina was quiet for a moment, looking out of the window as she decided whether or not to broach the subject that was on her mind. Deciding to take her chances, she looked at him. \u201cI can\u2019t help but be slightly put off by the fact that your friend, your old friend – Bella the Ancestor, and I look a lot alike. Is she a relative of mine?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, Bella came from California. I\u2019m fairly certain that you and her aren\u2019t related. You come from a long line of established Claire witches and as far as I know there hasn\u2019t been any meddling from outsiders.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cQuite.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause the family was a Garden District coven and they put her in a mental institution because she wasn\u2019t good enough to attend balls and be introduced to the young men of New Orleans at the time. Me, thinking it was a bad idea to lock her away, broke her out and ate my way through the asylum before finding a widower who I believed was alright and left her with him,\u201d he said as he gripped the steering wheel tightly. \u201cOf course, he wasn\u2019t the right person for her and I should have taken more time with him, to compel him to be everything Bella needed and to stay away from her, but that was then. She was out of the Asylum and I had found her a husband and I could find another witch to help me out. She lost her mind after her husband repeatedly touched her, had sex with her and fell pregnant. Then lost her child and it got all too much for her, she went into full rage and meltdown mode and killed her husband before arriving at my doorstep, all bloody. I could smell her fear, her anxiety and her sadness. Her anger. She begged me to kill her, so I did. It was the least I could do and she was quite tasty. Fear, anxiety and anger taste so good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s horrible,\u201d Davina replied. \u201cWho did you put her with?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t know his family. They were from up north.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTry me,\u201d Davina grinned as she playfully elbowed him in the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHis name was Edward Cullen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAh,\u201d Davina said knowingly. \u201cThe scourge of the Garden District. Not a witch, but we all know the stories about him as a warning to give anyone with that name a wide berth. Good to know that the story that his crazy wife killed him is true.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs I said, I would not make that mistake again and don\u2019t think I won\u2019t compel Myriam to treat Bella right. If she\u2019s on vervain, which is likely the case as she\u2019s encountered my brothers, I\u2019ll bleed her out and then I\u2019ll compel her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah, I get it. Myriam will have your balls for it, but as you said, you\u2019re not good for Bella and she deserves better,\u201d Davina agreed as Kol parked the car at St. Anne\u2019s, likely to check up on Bella before going to his brothers. \u201cSo the fact that she\u2019s a tiny brunette like me is purely coincidence?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course, darling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo you don\u2019t have any feelings for her other than the fact that you like her for her giving you the attention you craved?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He slowly nodded, unsure of himself now. Granted, Davina was at this point also merely a means to an end, or that\u2019s what he liked to tell himself, but deep down, he knew he genuinely cared for Bella, why else would he tell her to come back with him, to live the well deserved second life? What he felt for Bella was completely different from how he felt for Davina. Perhaps as a human he had liked Davina for who she was, but now that he was a vampire he could tell that she was just as rotten as he was. He deserved Davina, and not someone as pure as Bella. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was simply no room for Bella in his life right now, too many things were happening and Davina didn\u2019t like her much, from what he could tell. But if it hadn\u2019t been for Bella, Davina would have been dead. Bella saved him so she could save Davina. For him. Pure. No ulterior motives. Passing her on to Myriam was the best thing he could do for her; he didn\u2019t want his brothers to be of an influence to Bella and Marcel was never going to lay his hands on her. No. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOkay, so you\u2019ll go to your brothers now and convince Elijah to come with to the Bayou to remove a compulsion. I\u2019ll go upstairs and give Bella some of my old clothes to wear after waking her up. The sooner she\u2019s with Myriam, the better, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d he breathed out and softly kissed Davina. \u201cYou\u2019re a great asskicker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Davina smiled at him, her hand running through his hair. \u201cAnd once she\u2019s gone, we\u2019re going to get some rest ourselves, in my bed. The day has been hard on all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He kissed her again before speeding off with a big grin on his face. He was going to have so much fun with his brothers! Especially with Elijah. Oh, Elijah was going to regret ever simply compelling Myriam and not kill her on the spot. Why did he save her, anyway? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When he arrived at the compound, his brothers were in deep discussion with Marcel. Of course. Marcel had to be around. Discussing Lucien and his transformation yet again, and Kol didn\u2019t want to hear anything of it. He needed more time with Davina and then<\/em> he\u2019d help out his family if they still needed it. \u201cI\u2019ve had quite the interesting day, surely Nik and Marcel have compared notes by now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou are in no position to take care of a girl like that, brother,\u201d Elijah spoke, eyeing his brother. \u201cWhat were you thinking?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol held up his hands in defense. \u201cWasn\u2019t me. It was all her, to make sure that the Ancestor\u2019s meddling wouldn\u2019t turn lethal. How was I to know she was back and what she had planned?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd the poor girl\u2019s life is now tethered to yours for eternity. Honestly!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, \u2018Lijah,\u201d Kol smirked as he poured himself a bourbon and downed it in one go. \u201cDavina came up with a solution for the girl, because you\u2019re right, I can\u2019t take care of her. Not that she\u2019d need a lot of caring for, but I can\u2019t reintroduce her to the world. I\u2019m a menace and irresponsible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMarcel has offered to—\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, no,\u201d Kol quickly said. \u201cMarcel isn\u2019t going anywhere near Bella, because like you lot, he\u2019ll fill her head with crazy ideas about me and teach her all the wrong things. She could even turn out to become a whore under his influence and nobody would stop him because she\u2019s quite appetizing underneath all those clothes!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKol, behave,\u201d Elijah warned him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDavina\u2019s solution was quite simple,\u201d Kol ignored his brother as he poured himself another glass. \u201cSince Cami has turned to the bad side, she took me to a friend of hers, a 300 year old vampire, a healer and someone with a background in mental illness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cD took you to that nut who lives in the Bayou?\u201d Marcel asked curiously. \u201cShe\u2019s even less capable of taking care of a young girl like Bella.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWho?\u201d Klaus wondered as he looked at Kol\u2019s knowing smirk, Marcel\u2019s confusion and Elijah\u2019s\u2026 constipation. He looked uncomfortable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat surprised me the most was the fact that she was working at the sanatorium around the same time Bella was there\u2026 say\u2026 a hundred years ago? Give or take a few years. Imagine my surprise that she was able to tell me about Elijah\u2019s cleaning efforts after I ate my way through the sanatorium to get Bella out of there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWho?\u201d Klaus demanded, nervous now, knowing that his former lover worked there before she disappeared on him again. He hadn\u2019t been too worried, Myriam liked to leave for a few years from time to time, but a whole century of not even a postcard had him think that she was dead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHer name is Myriam Jenkins,\u201d Marcel explained with a sigh. \u201cFrom what she told me was that Elijah compelled her to leave New Orleans or to stay in the Bayou and not to contact Klaus in any way. Myriam believed that Elijah was jealous because she was such a great influence on Klaus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, I didn\u2019t know that!\u201d Kol sat down on one of the sofa\u2019s and watched as Nik flew into a rage, beating Elijah savagely. \u201cCareful, brother, we need him conscious to undo that compulsion of his,\u201d Kol said in a sing-song voice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen will your constant manipulation of my life stop?\u201d Klaus yelled at his brother as his fist connected with Elijah\u2019s face. \u201cAre you going after the mother of my child next? I\u2019ve seen the two of you, cozying up, conspiring against me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNiklaus, freeing you from Myriam was the best thing I could do at the time for you,\u201d Elijah didn\u2019t lose his calm, but he did start to deflect his brother\u2019s assault. \u201cAnd I will not remove her compulsion, that woman was a blight on the Quarter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, you\u2019re wrong, \u2018Lijah,\u201d Kol said as he downed another glass. \u201cYou are going to remove that compulsion because it will help me. Or, I could of course let Bella run loose in New Orleans and have her create chaos and mayhem. Who knows? Lucien might even pick her up and make her do his bidding even though she\u2019s not powerful enough. But surely he\u2019d have a serum for that, too, right? To boost someone\u2019s magic? I mean, he already had the cure to Nik\u2019s nasty bite, he now has a magical serum courtesy of our beloved witchy sister that turned him into our nightmare\u2026 why not give him something pure to fuck up?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019d still be better than turning her over to you or Marcel!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ignoring the fighting brothers, Marcel sat down next to Kol. \u201cLook, you and I may not particularly like each other, but have you considered taking care of Bella yourself? At least until she\u2019s back on her feet?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou know as well as my brothers do that I am not the right person for the job. Short temper and all that. Myriam is the best choice. Impartial. Granted, I could seek help elsewhere, out of town, but I\u2019m lazy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou suck without humanity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, I know, Marcel, why are you so shocked?\u201d Kol smirked as he looked at his fighting brothers. \u201cBut at least I know my shortcomings, it\u2019s been told many times and even Davina was afraid of me being a vampire at first, perhaps she still is, who knows?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo you think that Bella, the Ancestor coming back to life, is safer with a 300 year old vampire than an Original vampire with issues? The girl can\u2019t die, Kol. So what if you end up killing her? She\u2019d just come back to life!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t take care of people. You lot have the bleeding hearts, not me. I\u2019ve made up my mind and I need Elijah to break the compulsion otherwise the damn woman won\u2019t help Bella.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSurely you\u2019ve learned things when you were a witch?\u201d Marcel let out a snort. \u201cKol, I had started to like you, seriously. You can do this, you\u2019ve done it before. She\u2019s your friend, why hand her off to some stranger?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because she\u2019s safer without me. Because she deserves better than me. Because she\u2019s a buzzkill with her observational skills. Because I feel guilty of what I did to her in the past. Because I\u2019ll fuck up. Because Davina doesn\u2019t like her. <\/em> \u201cI\u2019m sick of defending my decisions,\u201d he said as he got to his feet and pried his brothers apart. \u201cAre you two done? Can we go and pick up Bella now and then go to the Bayou so that Elijah can remove the compulsion and Myriam can take care of Bella?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella quietly watched as Davina dug deep into her closet for old clothes that Bella could have. Davina had been talking, but Bella wasn\u2019t sure if she\u2019d been listening. She held in a breath for a few seconds and then breathed out slowly, her hearing slowly returning. \u201c… so we\u2019re taking you to a friend of mine, sure you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m intruding, of course I understand. But you didn\u2019t have to go through trouble for me, I can find my own way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davina seemed to agree. \u201cKol wants you to be comfortable, the plan you proposed wasn\u2019t much of a plan,\u201d she then huffed. \u201cHe actually wanted to put you back into an asylum.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella didn\u2019t seem to mind, but was surprised that Kol thought that way, why go through all the trouble in the past only to put her back in? Convenience. That was all. Bella was in the way. A problem. Just like she knew she was. \u201cAnd?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy friend\u2019s place is way cooler. It\u2019s in the Bayou, I\u2019m sure you two will hit it off perfectly,\u201d Davina smiled as she put some clothes into a bag. \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ve thanked you yet for saving Kol from the Ancestors, have I?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s alright,\u201d Bella replied with a shrug. \u201cIt\u2019s what friends do for each other, they save each other and those around them. He would have killed you if I hadn\u2019t saved him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust promise me not to ever perform magic again, okay?\u201d Davina laughed, shaking her head. \u201cYou\u2019re an intelligent witch, no doubt about it, and using yourself as a vessel for Kol\u2019s cure was amazing because the Ancestors wouldn\u2019t pick that up, but you\u2019re terrible at magic and you used far too many conductive and connecting herbs, which is why you\u2019re still alive now and will be forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She nodded as an answer. It wasn\u2019t as if Bella could rejoin the covens of New Orleans anyway, the Ancestors would not allow it and they\u2019d likely have the Regent try and kill her again and again. \u201cI think I want to be an animal doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davina playfully ruffled Bella\u2019s hair, who immediately smoothed it back out as she recoiled from Davina\u2019s touch. \u201cIt\u2019s sweet of you to think that you\u2019re capable of learning, but it\u2019ll take you at least 20 years to get to the point where you\u2019re up to snuff with what they teach in high school and primary school.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m immortal now,\u201d Bella pointed out. \u201cI have all the time I need.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd who\u2019s going to pay for your school? A place to live? Food? Clothes? The basic necessities? Better learn that first, Bella, before you entertain the thought of going to school. You\u2019d make a great maid or house wife, but I think that becoming a vet is a bit too far out of your reach.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPerhaps you\u2019re right,\u201d Bella sighed as she bound her hair in hair tie. \u201cWill Myriam be able to help me find a purpose? A new passion?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019ll teach you everything you need,\u201d Davina echoed as she watched as the door opened. \u201cHad fun?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh yeah,\u201d Kol grinned as he took the bag from Davina. \u201cYou need to stay here, the car is a little full with Nik and Elijah in it too, sure you don\u2019t mind? I\u2019ll be back as soon as I can.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davina pouted as she pulled him in for a kiss. \u201cHurry back and make sure Myriam fully agrees to help Bella out, she\u2019s a crafty old nut but trustworthy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, she\u2019s likely not on vervain if she wants Elijah to break that compulsion,\u201d he smiled at her before turning to Bella. \u201cAre you ready?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella didn\u2019t want Kol to drop her off at some stranger\u2019s place, but nodded nevertheless, in his eyes this was the best way for her to find her way in this life. Away from him. She had to go. He and Davina were so infatuated with each other that it was painful to watch, Bella had never realized that it was this bad and she didn\u2019t quite know how to deal with it. She was intruding, she had to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol took Bella\u2019s hand and gently pulled her off the bed. If this was the right thing, why was he so nervous about it? Why did he feel like he was doing the same as the family she lived with in the 1900s? They put her in the sanatorium because she was tainting their reputation by not being marriage material and a weak witch on top of that. Granted, this Myriam person was a person and not an institution, but wasn\u2019t he doing the same now? Was it truly the best thing? \u201cIt\u2019s going to be alright,\u201d he assured her as they walked through the church to get to the car. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI trust you,\u201d she smiled at him. \u201cYou know what\u2019s best for me and instead of a hotelroom you\u2019re making sure someone can help me until I\u2019m good enough,\u201d she added reassuringly. \u201cYou\u2019re far too busy with Davina and the trouble your family is in. Maybe once I\u2019m sure I\u2019m alright and be a productive member of society I\u2019ll leave New Orleans..\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDarling, the world is your oyster. I\u2019ll make sure we\u2019ll have a bank account in your name once you feel confident enough so you don\u2019t have to worry about money.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAren\u2019t my days of having to rely on men for my survival over? Don\u2019t I have the right to find myself a job to sustain myself?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re 118 years old, but look like you\u2019re 18. You\u2019re a resurrected supernatural being, made more supernatural by linking yourself to me by accident. Forget about living a normal life, Bella, you won\u2019t be able to do it,\u201d he said as he helped her in the car and got in himself, seeing the looks his brothers gave him. \u201cYou\u2019ve met Niklaus, meet Elijah, he\u2019s our older brother.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know who he is, I just didn\u2019t realize he was your brother,\u201d Bella muttered as she hugged Davina\u2019s bag for her. \u201cHe used to have dealings with Edward, I don\u2019t know why and I don\u2019t want to know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe ran some successful businesses back in the day, a small pillar in making New Orleans a thriving city at the time,\u201d Elijah explained. \u201cVery unpleasant that man. I had always felt for his ailing wife, and after her death I had hoped he\u2019d remain alone for the rest of his life. I was surprised he had found himself a new wife. Young. Beautiful. Eccentric.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd you did nothing?\u201d Kol wondered as he pulled away from the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course not, Kol. I only meddle in the personal lives of my family. Besides, the girl didn\u2019t look stressed at all,\u201d a small smile appeared on his lips. \u201cOf course, had I known that you put her with him, I would have.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou lot really should let me in on these kind of things more often, you know. I can be responsible and proactive and not just the killer,\u201d Kol muttered. \u201cEven now, I\u2019m trying to control my bloodlust now that Bella\u2019s cured me of the Ancestor\u2019s influence because I don\u2019t want to end up killing Davina.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow honorable,\u201d Klaus mused. \u201cBut your little friend here is an immortal witch, surely she can be the blood bag that keeps on giving?\u201d He asked playfully but was shocked by Bella\u2019s serious response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course I can,\u201d she replied as she looked at Kol. \u201cIf you\u2019re hungry, you can have my blood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat was a joke, little one,\u201d Klaus gently squeezed her shoulder. \u201cWe generally don\u2019t drink from our friends unless it\u2019s an emergency and even then we might not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut it could be my new purpose in life! To give you my blood to drink!\u201d Bella got all excited then. \u201cI mean, my blood is safe, I can\u2019t die, and I\u2019m volunteering.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStop that nonsense,\u201d Elijah huffed. \u201cI don\u2019t know what or who got into your head, but what you\u2019re suggesting is barbaric. Perhaps once we have the prophecy taken care of, we should introduce you to our two sisters who can teach you what it\u2019s like to be an independent woman.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat about non of your involvement don\u2019t you understand, Elijah?\u201d Kol shot at him. \u201cThat includes our darling sister and our witchy sister! Bella will only be ruined by us!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHardly,\u201d Klaus huffed. \u201cMarcel turned out alright, didn\u2019t he? All Bella needs is some guidance and patience to adjust. Accident or not, you made her your responsibility when she piggybacked on Davina\u2019s spell to bring you back to save you. She\u2019s your friend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s quite typical behaviour for you, isn\u2019t it? Run in the face of responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHey, I\u2019m still here,\u201d Bella shot at the vampires. \u201cNo need to make Kol feel bad for making the right decision for me in his eyes. I told him he didn\u2019t have to do this for me, and he wants to do this. Let him do this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou agree with him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella shrugged. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter if I agree with him or not. I do need help. I need to find a new purpose. I need to learn more about this time. I\u2019m not his responsibility. We are friends, but he doesn\u2019t have to be responsible for me, despite the fact that my life depends on his. I never wanted another chance at life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re too young to be all about doom and gloom, love,\u201d Klaus said encouragingly. \u201cYou can still change your mind about this, you can stay with us. It\u2019s likely that once my brother frees Myriam from her restrictions that Myriam will be at the compound with us, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf she does that, I\u2019m going to kill her,\u201d Kol said angrily. \u201cThat was not part of the deal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAh, but you don\u2019t know her as well as I do,\u201d Klaus teased him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs I said, if she comes back on the agreement, I will kill her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo killing,\u201d Bella said as she gently rubbed Kol\u2019s arm. \u201cIf she doesn\u2019t want to help me, it\u2019s fine and I will adjust on my own.\u201d Because they were in the car with four people, the different scents and smells were suddenly overwhelming her, looking for a way to open the window she accidentally opened the door. The smell of strong alcohol was making her feel sick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWoah,\u201d Kol said as he swerved to the side of the road, stopped and reached for the door to pull it shut. \u201cAre you insane?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m getting sick, the window needs to be open,\u201d Bella said as she frantically pawed at the door, looking for a lever of some sort. \u201cHow does it open?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are buttons on the handle, darling,\u201d he said as he pointed at them. \u201cThe arrow down makes it go down, and the one that goes up rolls it back up. Don\u2019t ever open the door while we\u2019re driving, okay? You\u2019re not even wearing a seat belt, you could have fallen out!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She immediately pushed the down button and hung her head out of the car, sniffing in the polluted air of New Orleans. The mixture of fresh air, the water underneath the bridge they were on and exhaust made her want to vomit, so she quickly opened the door anyway, hopped out of the car and threw up at the side of the road. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elijah was the first one by her side to give her his handkerchief to clean her mouth, but it did more harm than good when she vomited again, missing his shoes by a hair. \u201cAre you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella let out a groan as she sat down on the ground, holding her head between her knees. \u201cSensory overload, it happens, not your fault, although that cloth smells like blood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol had found a bottle of water in the glove compartment and brought it over. \u201cI should have opened the windows, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou couldn\u2019t have known,\u201d Bella replied as she gratefully took the water and rinsed her mouth. \u201cI mean, I was fine, but it just hit me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you okay to continue the short drive if we roll all the windows down?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes,\u201d she smiled at him. \u201cI need a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He sat down next to her and sighed deeply as Elijah went back to the car. \u201cI have to admit, I\u2019m having a harder time with the fact that I\u2019m taking you somewhere else to heal, but you understand, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou and Davina deserve all the time together as you can possibly have, I\u2019ll only be taking away precious time from that. I don\u2019t need your help, Kol, I told you this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI just want you to be safe and you\u2019re not safe around me or my family at this point.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut I can leave New Orleans, if you\u2019d want me to, I could go back to California,\u201d she said as she put her head against his shoulder and sighed deeply, feeling the nausea slowly pass. \u201cSurely I have relatives there?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBella, you have to understand that you can\u2019t go back to your life. You\u2019ve been dead for a century. Now, we can help you with new papers, new ID and even a bank account, but the life you knew is over and you need to start over. From the beginning. Girls your age in this time go out and party, and they study and they don\u2019t even think about starting families at this point.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wanted to study, but Davina said that it was going to be hard because I\u2019m uneducated. But I\u2019m immortal, can\u2019t I simply take my time?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol was surprised to hear that. \u201cDid she really say that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHer exact words were that it\u2019s sweet of me to think that I\u2019m capable of learning after I told her I\u2019d like to become an animal doctor and when I said I have all the time I could need she said that I needed a place to live first, money to sustain me with food, clothing, and of course, education. She believed I\u2019d make a great maid or housewife, and that becoming a vet was too far out of my reach,\u201d she replied, shrugging slightly. \u201cI suppose she was right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWrong,\u201d Kol said angrily. \u201cDarling, I know you want to be independent and you keep saying you don\u2019t want my help, but money is not an issue. If Klaus is right and Myriam doesn\u2019t work out for you, I will get you an apartment, and enough money to live on. Even go to school with. Private tutors, everything you need. And if you don\u2019t want me to give you money, I\u2019ll have Elijah dig deep into the court archives and find Cullen\u2019s hidden money so you have money to spend that is your right to have.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was certainly going to give Davina a stern talking to. Bella was capable of so many things. Perhaps not as a witch, but as a caring human being, even though she didn\u2019t seem to be caring. But he knew that Bella cared deeply, and she didn\u2019t deserve to be put down like that. He wasn\u2019t even questioning Bella\u2019s sincerity, as she hadn\u2019t lied to him before and in his opinion, was incapable of doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBella, you\u2019re smart. You\u2019re strong and you say what you want to say. On top of that, you are determined and you can achieve anything you want. Even becoming a veterinarian to take care of the animals,\u201d he continued and then playfully elbowed her in the side. \u201cI\u2019m not saying that it\u2019s going to be easy on you, it\u2019ll require hard work, but I know you can do it. Don\u2019t let someone else dull your interests, you\u2019ve never allowed it to, so why start now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause the world is a scary place and I don\u2019t know what to do?\u201d She replied in a small voice. \u201cI always had someone with me when I ventured the streets of New Orleans back then, and it wasn\u2019t because I was a young woman, but because my mind tends to\u2026 wander. I\u2019m scared. I was scared for those weeks where I was making myself your cure, but I had a purpose, I needed to save you and that\u2019s what I focused on, and I did well, for the most part. There were days where I simply hid and stayed at the hotel, tired of everything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMyriam\u2019s home is in the Bayou, it\u2019s nice and quiet there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut I don\u2019t think that\u2019s good for me, either,\u201d Bella carefully looked at him, hoping he wouldn\u2019t get mad. \u201cHow can I learn to deal with all the stimuli if I\u2019m away from it all?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt least meet her,\u201d Kol said encouragingly. \u201cShe seemed to be qualified enough, she even worked at the place you were put in. She knows my family, or so it seems, so she can tell you all about our shortcomings,\u201d he said with a slight chuckle. \u201cI think she knows her stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo you trust her?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure about that, but once I\u2019ve compelled her I might.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd thus you\u2019re going to do the same as your brother, make people do things against their will.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s a vampire, darling, she\u2019s one of us, it\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEdward wasn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd had I known what kind of a bastard he was, I would have done a proper job on him instead of a half assed attempt,\u201d he said quickly. \u201cIt\u2019s a good thing you\u2019ve killed him, because otherwise I\u2019d have Davina resurrect him and do it all over, and make it extremely painful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo killing,\u201d Bella repeated the words she had spoken in the car earlier. Kol was so stuck on the idea of her meeting Myriam and likely being helped by Myriam that she had decided not to resist. Did that make her passive? Not really. She was allowing her friend to help her despite her objections, apparently \u2018no\u2019 was still not in his personal dictionary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol smiled at that as he helped her to her feet. \u201cBut what if I need to eat, darling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can do that without killing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s no fun,\u201d he pouted. \u201cWould it make you feel better if I only eat bad people and make New Orleans a little bit safer for those who can\u2019t protect themselves?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella thought for a moment as she took a sip of her bottle. \u201cYes,\u201d she eventually replied as she got into the car. \u201cBut you don\u2019t have to do that. I mean\u2026 it\u2019s not my place to tell you that. It\u2019s your own choice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe haven\u2019t been killing for sustenance in a long time,\u201d Elijah replied. \u201cWe still drink from the vein, yes, but those servants have been compelled not to feel anything and we pay them generously.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut you can do that from me, I can\u2019t die anyway,\u201d Bella said confused. \u201cAnd I know, you don\u2019t eat friends, but the only thing that I am to you is an inconvenience that has a history with Kol and who is keeping you from more pressing matters.\u201d She hugged her back as she looked out of the window. \u201cWho knows? I might even turn out to be the Beast from your prophecy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be ridiculous,\u201d Kol huffed. \u201cLucien\u2019s the beast and in cohorts with the Ancestors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was an Ancestor, how can you be sure that I\u2019m not merely here because I wanted to save you? Perhaps it was my intention all along to link my life to yours, so it\u2019d be more difficult to kill me after you\u2019ve mended fences with your family when you were a witch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klaus blinked at the girl in the front seat and then looked at his brother next to him, who looked as doubtful as he felt. Granted, the girl made sense, but experience told him that this girl was incapable of deceit. \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Bella shrugged. \u201cI mean, were you aware of the Ancestor\u2019s meddling with Kol after he returned?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot at first\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell then, I could be anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh shut up, Bella, this is a ridiculous line of thought,\u201d Kol said, but her remarks still in the back of his mind. It wasn\u2019t entirely impossible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI just want you to be safe, that\u2019s all, and that\u2019s thinking of many scenarios. I may not have a mind that\u2019s focused on warfare, but I have read books, heard things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re absolutely right,\u201d Klaus eventually said as they drove passed the first trees into the Bayou. \u201cWe shouldn\u2019t have assumed your return was a mere accident and focused on saving Kol from himself. How about we will keep our eye on you when you\u2019re at Myriam\u2019s? Or, if she does what I think she\u2019ll be doing, wherever you may end up? Just to be safe? That way, we can put a stop to it before it even begins.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNik!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNiklaus is correct in this matter,\u201d Elijah said thoughtfully. \u201cShe\u2019s an unknown element.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe this,\u201d Kol huffed as he decided to drive faster. The quicker Bella was safe away from him and his family, the better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 02 \u201cI stand by my original statement,\u201d Davina said as she finished casting her spells on Bella and got to her feet as she looked at Kol. \u201cHer life is linked to yours. It has been since she came back with you. Of course, making herself the vessel to…<\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":501,"parent":502,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-522","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nChapter 02 - MeekoBuggy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Chapter 02 - MeekoBuggy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Chapter 02 \u201cI stand by my original statement,\u201d Davina said as she finished casting her spells on Bella and got to her feet as she looked at Kol. \u201cHer life is linked to yours. It has been since she came back with you. Of course, making herself the vessel to... Continue reading\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=522\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"MeekoBuggy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-08-17T00:51:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/intermission.png?fit=1150%2C400&ssl=1\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1150\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"400\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"42 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=522\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=522\",\"name\":\"Chapter 02 - MeekoBuggy\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=522#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=522#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/intermission.png?fit=1150%2C400&ssl=1\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-08-17T00:42:26+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-08-17T00:51:57+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=522#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=522\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=522#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/intermission.png?fit=1150%2C400&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/intermission.png?fit=1150%2C400&ssl=1\",\"width\":1150,\"height\":400},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=522#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Buggy\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=14\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Intermission\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=502\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Chapter 02\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/\",\"name\":\"Meekobuggy's stories\",\"description\":\"fanfiction, blogs, and random thoughts\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Chapter 02 - MeekoBuggy","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Chapter 02 - MeekoBuggy","og_description":"Chapter 02 \u201cI stand by my original statement,\u201d Davina said as she finished casting her spells on Bella and got to her feet as she looked at Kol. \u201cHer life is linked to yours. It has been since she came back with you. Of course, making herself the vessel to... Continue reading","og_url":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=522","og_site_name":"MeekoBuggy","article_modified_time":"2024-08-17T00:51:57+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1150,"height":400,"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/intermission.png?fit=1150%2C400&ssl=1","type":"image\/png"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"42 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=522","url":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=522","name":"Chapter 02 - MeekoBuggy","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=522#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=522#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/intermission.png?fit=1150%2C400&ssl=1","datePublished":"2024-08-17T00:42:26+00:00","dateModified":"2024-08-17T00:51:57+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=522#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=522"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=522#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/intermission.png?fit=1150%2C400&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/meekobuggy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/intermission.png?fit=1150%2C400&ssl=1","width":1150,"height":400},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=522#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Buggy","item":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=14"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Intermission","item":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=502"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Chapter 02"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/","name":"Meekobuggy's stories","description":"fanfiction, blogs, and random thoughts","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/522","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=522"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/522\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":535,"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/522\/revisions\/535"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/502"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/501"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=522"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}