{"id":826,"date":"2024-08-20T19:04:06","date_gmt":"2024-08-20T19:04:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=826"},"modified":"2024-08-20T19:17:51","modified_gmt":"2024-08-20T19:17:51","slug":"chapter-02","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/meekobuggy.com\/?page_id=826","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 02"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

\n\n\n\n

\u201cVeronique?\u201d An unfamiliar voice asked quietly, causing Myriam to snap around to the man. \u201cOh, my apologies, milady, I was mistaken. I saw you pacing, just as she would, around this same fountain. Sometimes I wonder\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So this man was her father? What a pitiful excuse of a man! He was fat, his hair was receding, and that beard of his looked hideous. But then again, wealthy people could look whatever they wanted to look like. It was money that was the attraction in most cases. \u201cWho was she? You speak of her as if she\u2019s to be missed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, it is nothing to talk about to a stranger,\u201d he smiled kindly at her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have nothing better to do than to listen, good sir,\u201d she replied with a slight curtsy as she pointed at one of the benches in the garden. \u201cSometimes it does one good to lighten the heart into the ears of a stranger.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The man let out a breath and nodded. \u201cPerhaps you\u2019re right. Are you certain?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy lord, you are a master of this house, are you not? You can do whatever you wish,\u201d she replied as she sat down on the bench and held out her hand. Oh, while she never had her mother\u2019s training, her mother had, of course, taught her a few things about men and the rules in royal homes. Perhaps her mother had been training her in case that one day, she\u2019d be swept away to serve herself and had wanted to make the transition less of a burden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam, of course, never wanted this life for herself. She preferred to march to her own drum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The man took her hand and sat down next to her. \u201cVeronique was my favourite courtesan, many years ago,\u201d he replied as he looked at her. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, perhaps this is not the best subject to discuss with a lovely lady as yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s flattering that you believe I\u2019m a lovely lady, my lord,\u201d she smiled at him. \u201cBut I\u2019m in service of someone present at your lovely ball. There is nothing that I haven\u2019t seen or heard before.\u201d If this man was still so very smitten by her mother, then why hadn\u2019t he come looking for her, and his child? She could smell a little bit of alcohol on his breath, perhaps that was the reason why he was so\u2026 sentimental. \u201cPlease continue, perhaps it will do you some good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVeronique was a beautiful woman, kind, big-hearted and no task was too hard for her. She worked her way up the ranks and when she became my courtesan, my favourite, I could not help but spoil her and to spend every single minute of every day with her,\u201d he smiled, slightly blushing. \u201cMembers of my family were quite jealous, she didn\u2019t have it easy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI bet,\u201d Myriam smiled kindly, but deep inside, she wanted to crush this man\u2019s skull with her bare hands. Unfortunately, she wasn\u2019t that strong of her own. She could feel one of her amulets burn against her chest and after quickly looking at it, she wasn\u2019t surprised. It was a son of Azazel, the god or demon of war, depending on who you\u2019d ask. She allowed him out as not to burn a hole in her chest but kept him back so he could watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that on your chest, milady?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh,\u201d she let out a nervous laugh. \u201cI forgot that the material doesn\u2019t agree with my body sometimes, it\u2019s nothing to worry about, my lord. Please, tell me more about your beloved Veronique,\u201d she put a hand on his knee and squeezed it for encouragement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe had beautiful dark hair, eyes, and skin. She looked like an exotic princess. A lot like yourself, but your skin is fairer than hers. Like yourself, she had a beautiful face and a great posture. She was a dream come true. I was married, of course, and for a while, my wife and Veronique got along quite well. But my wife and I were trying for another child, which would be our last, but the Gods weren\u2019t in our favour. Instead, Veronique fell pregnant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can\u2019t imagine that went well with your wife.\u201d She didn\u2019t know whether to be happy or to be angry at the fact that she was the youngest. Relieved, maybe? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe kept it hidden for as long as we could, I promised Veronique I\u2019d find a way to leave my wife for her, but when the family found out, they sent her away while I was out of town for business,\u201d he sighed, shaking his head. \u201cEver since she left, there\u2019s been a hole in my heart, and my wife and children weren\u2019t able to fill it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry to hear that,\u201d Myriam replied as she could see the guilt and grief written all over him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have a painting of her, would you like to see?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019d like that, yes,\u201d she smiled at him. Anything to get one last glimpse of her mother. Anything. She followed him to his private bedroom where her mother\u2019s portrait was hanging above the fireplace. She looked absolutely beautiful, and she could now see why Kol wanted her to wear the dress that she was wearing and why her hair had to be exactly like this. Myriam looked like a cheap copy of her mother\u2019s greatness, enough to get her father to bite and for her to reel him in. \u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d she said in but a whisper, trying not to allow the tears that were pricking behind her eyes. \u201cShe is beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes,\u201d he sighed happily. \u201cSometimes I do wonder what happened to her. Where she is now and if she\u2019s doing alright.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd what of the child, my lord? Aren\u2019t you curious to your offspring?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy child,\u201d he huffed. \u201cWould be a half breed. Son or daughter of a Medici and a whore. Had Veronique been allowed to stay I would have raised the child as my own but no, I never wondered about my progeny. I\u2019ve had my hands full with those I already have.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam balled her fists again, silently commanding her demon to take a few steps closer to oppress the man somewhat. \u201cI can tell you exactly what happened to Veronique du Mer,\u201d she said as she looked at the man. \u201cShe\u2019s dead. She died in poverty from consumption. Nearly four years ago now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd how do you know this, milady?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She took a step closer so that the firelight lit her face more. \u201cYou can see it with your own eyes. You saw it already and dismissed it, perhaps in denial. You already know who I am!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The man looked at her in shock. \u201cNo!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes,\u201d she angrily said as she motioned for her demon to take possession of her father. \u201cGet his family in here. Now!\u201d she commanded him and watched at the demon marched her father out of the bedroom. Kol was standing in the doorway, leaning against the doorpost with a cocky smile on his face. \u201cYou orchestrated this!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI did,\u201d he said as he watched the demon father pass him as he didn\u2019t exist and entered the bedroom. \u201cAs I told you, you plan, you anticipate, and you\u2019re patient,\u201d he said as he took the painting of her mother down. \u201cWe\u2019re taking this, I assume?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou assume correctly,\u201d she said as she started to look around for things that she could throw in the fireplace. To, somehow, diminish her father\u2019s wealth. \u201cHe never even looked for her! For me!\u201d she cried out loudly as she kicked over a bucket. \u201cHe professes his love for my mother, but he never went and looked for us!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She grabbed five of her amulets and unleashed all five demons. \u201cCreate as much panic and mayhem as you wish,\u201d she commanded. \u201cLet the blood flow freely!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUh, darling?\u201d Kol piped up, slightly turned on by Myriam\u2019s behaviour. \u201cCan I make a small request?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDepends on what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHave them take out the resident witch? I wasn\u2019t aware of her during my initial exploration of this palace, but it seems like they have a tiny witch on hand and she\u2019s about to mess with our little visit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam scowled as she quickly approached the vampire. \u201cWhat do you speak of? Surely you can take out a witch on your own with your wealth of knowledge. Why do you need my demons for that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause she\u2019s being protected by five vampire hunters,\u201d he replied. \u201cOnes that were created by magic and that if you\u2019d kill them, you\u2019d get mad for a very long time. Niklaus suffered through the curse for fifty years, and I won\u2019t like it to be me next.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She could not help but let out a small laugh. \u201cVampire hunters? Is it even possible for a vampire to go insane? That would certainly make for an interesting study,\u201d she mused as she glanced away thoughtfully. Shrugging, she sighed. \u201cVery well. I\u2019ll have them take care of your little hunters and protect poor Monsieur Mikaelson. I will make sure you won\u2019t be scratched.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDarling, they\u2019re no joke!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI heard you. You\u2019re terrified of them. I\u2019m intrigued. I\u2019d like to see them for myself to see what you are so excitable over. And take anything that isn\u2019t pinned down that we may be able to sell for some gold.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe only have a small carriage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care!\u201d Myriam blurted. \u201cWe\u2019re taking things! You promised me! I can take what I want!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI did say that\u2026\u201d Kol ran a hand through his hair as he quickly thought of a solution. \u201cOkay, curse the entire family, have them leave this place. I\u2019ll compel everyone who\u2019s not in the family and currently merely visiting and then we\u2019ll find the ownership papers of this home and find a lawyer somewhere tomorrow to sign the entire, freaking estate over to you! A bloody palace for a bloody princess and perhaps even more properties all across the continent!\u201d he responded. \u201cBut for god\u2019s sake, darling, kill those hunters before they kill us!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam pursed her lips as she leaned against a chaise in the room as she eyed the vampire. \u201cYou are aware that you are no fun when you are upset. Yes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is a reason I\u2019m upset!\u201d He moved to one side of the room as demon father walked in with his family. \u201cPlease.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She smiled at him, shifting her attention to her family. \u201cThere may be more supernatural creatures visiting. Ones that are not a part of our agreement,\u201d she spoke to her demons. \u201cAny witch, or creature of magic, that is not myself or my pet vampire here, I want you to destroy them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol growled. \u201cI\u2019m not your pet, Darling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, you truly are with the way you\u2019re behaving now!\u201d She released two more of her demons and kept one with her for protection as she looked at her father\u2019s wife and three sons. \u201cHello, I\u2019m your baby sister,\u201d she smiled deviously. \u201cFather never bothered to look for me, or my mother, so instead, I came looking for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re here for money, we don\u2019t respond well to threats!\u201d The oldest son threatened her, causing Myriam to walk up to him and pulled him down to her level. \u201cLet go of me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She estimated his age and grinned as she clutched her remaining amulet that held a demon in it, she could feel its energy flowing through her. \u201cIn the name of the dark Mother Hecate, I curse you, and your progeny for eternity. You shall find misfortune wherever you turn, and everything you touch will turn into dust.\u201d She repeated that a few times before placing the man\u2019s hand on his brother\u2019s shoulder who immediately dried out and crumbled on the floor, to dust. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She then turned to the youngest brother, grabbing him tightly by the hair. \u201cIn the name of the dark Mother Hecate, I curse you and your progeny for eternity. Your spouses will die fifteen years after baring you a child. One, and only one. Even when you\u2019ll surround yourself with multiple spouses, you\u2019ll only get the one child. I curse you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam then turned to Kol as she sought contact with her demons who were doing as they were told. \u201cAre you hungry?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

\u201cEat her,\u201d she said as she pointed at the woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy should I have all the fun?\u201d Myriam smirked as she then turned to her father, who was still possessed by her demon while the woman screamed when Kol sunk his teeth into her. \u201cAnd you. You should have done better. I invoke the Dark Mother Hecate to curse you and your brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins and other generations of Medici. Your luck has run out. The moment you set foot outside this building, you will be chased by angry mobs of people. Forever, until you and your entire family dies. Everything you own is mine and will always be mine. Set foot in any of my property and you shall burn. I curse you!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella then addressed the demon inside her father. \u201cYou will stay with him until he dies. You will report to me every month. You\u2019re going to have them sign everything over to Veronique du Mer and her children and keep the papers on this premises until I come back to get them. Once he dies, you will protect those papers. Have I made myself understood?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes mistress, I\u2019ll do this gladly for you. Can my brethren stay with me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOnce they\u2019re done, they can stay here and protect this palace,\u201d she nodded before looking at Kol, she was surprised he wasn\u2019t done yet. \u201cAnything else, Kol?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He dropped the body on the floor and wiped his mouth. The feeding had taken his mind off of the hunters, but only for a little while. \u201cHow are your demons doing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey\u2019re dead, your big bad hunters and that witch. They did find another vampire, though, want to meet her?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHer?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh yes,\u201d Myriam smiled as she took her painting with her and looped her arm through Kol\u2019s. \u201cShe\u2019s trying to escape, and right now my demons are cornering her and ushering her into the ballroom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cReally now? Oh, darling, we could use her for target practice for your magical abilities,\u201d he said all happy. \u201cBut did you know, I can compel other vampires? I could have her help me compel the rest of the guests to get them out of your palace.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cReally? You never told me you could do that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAh, that\u2019s one of the perks of being an Original vampire, darling, we can compel the non-Original ones!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell then, let\u2019s go and check out that vampire, perhaps she\u2019ll be able to provide us with some entertainment once you\u2019re done with the guests.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vampire was screaming to fight whatever was chasing her and Myriam ordered her demons to poke her to see if she\u2019d scream louder, her screams filling the ballroom along with those of the guests running out of the ballroom because of the commotion. \u201cCatch them before they leave, I\u2019ll entertain her for a bit,\u201d Myriam said as she gently pat him on his shoulder. \u201cAnd feed when you have to, I mean, take what you want, right?\u201d She watched him go after the fleeing horde of people and how he used his speed to compel the most of them, before entering the ballroom. \u201cShut your mouth already!\u201d Myriam demanded as she looked at the frightened vampire. Myriam was taller. The vampire had dark brown hair, which was messy right now but there were certainly some curls in there that weren\u2019t natural, and her face was truly ashen. \u201cWell done boys,\u201d she smiled at her demons. \u201cCare to stick around?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHer fear feeds us, lady Myriam, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAh, stay then, feed!\u201d She grinned as she approached the girl vampire. One of her demons was holding her back so that she wouldn\u2019t hurt Myriam. \u201cWhat\u2019s your name then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNone of your business!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She nodded then, causing the closest demon to use his energy to influence the vampire even further. \u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGo to hell!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, ma puce<\/em>,\u201d Myriam sighed as she squatted down to look at the vampire with a smile on her face. \u201cI don\u2019t need to go to hell, I bring hell with me. Now, tell me your name. I\u2019m not going to ask again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGo to hell!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam got back to her feet and decided to try a spell on her that Kol had taught her. She reached out with her hand and imagined squeezing a heart. It was the intent that gave a spell power, words mattered, but the intent was the most important and all Myriam wanted right now was to hurt someone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vampire was screaming again, and Myriam just smiled as she watched the vampire clutch her heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDid you just call our guest a flea?\u201d Kol asked as he walked into the ballroom, the vampire obstructed from his view because of Myriam blocking it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, because she\u2019s not telling me her name,\u201d she said as she turned to Kol and seeing him at all levels of being dishevelled, covered in blood. \u201cCouldn\u2019t you at least have fed normally? Or cleaned yourself up?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy bother, darling?\u201d He countered happily before looking at the vampire. \u201cOh, but I know her! She\u2019s Niklaus\u2019 little plaything! Or she was before she turned herself into a vampire and ran off! Hello Katerina.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh great,\u201d Katerina said with a strangled voice as Myriam was still clutching her heart with her spell. \u201cIt\u2019s the maniac.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam gave Katerina\u2019s heart another squeeze. \u201cHow did this bitch become your brother\u2019s plaything?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI told you about the curse, didn\u2019t I?\u201d Kol asked as he joined his witch\u2019 side. \u201cIt requires the blood of a doppelganger, and this one here was a doppelganger of the one that the curse was bound with. Elijah had a perfect exit strategy for her, he would be able to save Katerina\u2019s life, but she had other plans. She got her hands on vampire blood and killed herself. Niklaus would love her head on a silver platter for her betrayal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam\u2019s eyes grew dark then. She didn\u2019t know Kol\u2019s brother, she had never met him, but betrayal was never right. \u201cTarget practice it is,\u201d she said darkly, releasing the vampire from her grasp. \u201cCan you compel her to cluck like a chicken?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUnfortunately\u2026 the rumour goes that Katerina has been ingesting Vervain ever since she turned to make sure that she wouldn\u2019t be able to get compelled.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam looked at him before looking at Katerina in disgust. \u201cWell then\u2026 let\u2019s see if my pets can clear her system from that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDarling, you don\u2019t need your pets to torture her. Use your magic, she\u2019s not going anywhere!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUse your magic, stop relying on your pets!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s what I\u2019m good at!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExactly! They\u2019re toi doudou!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTake that back!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDoudou!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam growled as she took a step closer to him. \u201cTake that back!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDou. Dou.\u201d Kol laughed. \u201cYou already used some magic on her, do it again! It\u2019s not that hard!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLady Myriam,\u201d the demon that was holding Katerina down was trying to get her attention. \u201cShe is wearing me out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen switch places,\u201d Myriam snapped. \u201cWe\u2019re not done here yet!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, we are,\u201d Kol used his vampire speed to get all of her amulets off of her and broke them all, releasing the demons in the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCochon!<\/em>\u201d Myriam slapped him in the face. \u201cHow dare you taking away my pets! You wouldn\u2019t touch them, you said!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDarling, Katerina is getting away, what are you going to do about it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She narrowed her eyes at him as her hand shot out in the direction of Katerina and made a yanking motion, causing the vampire to slide back on her ass. \u201cHappy?\u201d she snapped at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAh, you can do better than that, how about inflicting some damage?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to keep my palace in the same condition we found it in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol nodded. \u201cA little bit too late, darling as your fountain is now spouting out blood instead of water.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam scowled as she magically pulled Katerina along with her towards the garden while the vampire struggled against the invisible rope and being unable to scream before Myriam used her magic to throw her into the fountain and held her down. Liking the way the vampire kicked up the red water for a very long time before nothing. The monster had drowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sighing, Myriam sat down on one of the benches in silence as she looked at the fountain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShut up,\u201d she pouted. \u201cI ruined my dress!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He sat down next to her and put his arm around her. \u201cYou know, darling, if you weren\u2019t such a talented witch with extreme potential that I like to spend time with, you\u2019d make a cute little devious vampire that I\u2019d certainly love to hang around with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy dress.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen take it off,\u201d he shrugged. \u201cThis is your home now, remember, you can do anything you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI want Florence to drown in blood. No, I want the entirety of Tuscany to drown in blood. I want you to pay for taking away my pets!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, hold on,\u201d he held up his hands. \u201cI only released one,\u201d he said as he pulled the amulets out of his pocket. \u201cI had to push you over the edge somehow. And I am sorry, but you know that I am right. You are hiding behind your demons while you\u2019re perfectly capable of doing magic. You can do more damage with your magic than your pets.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI see that now,\u201d she said as she took the amulets. \u201cBut I still like my pets, and it already hurts that most of them are staying here to protect the property.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlright, let\u2019s go home. We\u2019ll get cleaned up, gather our stuff and head back home, what do you say?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She nodded before using her magic to drag the unconscious Katerina out of the bloodied water. Myriam then focused as she pulled another demon out of the other dimension and bound it to her necklace, one that looked to be made with a lapis lazuli gemstone, just like Kol\u2019s daylight ring. Katerina would never take it off if she didn\u2019t want to burn in the sunlight. \u201cI command you to keep an eye on Katerina. You will not influence her in any way, but you will stay with her until I call for you. Understood?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

\u201cThank you,\u201d she said to the demon before snapping Katerina\u2019s neck and stepped over her on her way to the exit. \u201cWhere\u2019s my painting? Because that thing is coming with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s already in the carriage, darling. Now, if I were you, I\u2019d cast a little spell to revoke all access to this palace for vampires, it would clean her out on her own. And me, but I hope to be outside before you cast it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, the demons will take care of her. And of any trespasser, vampire or not. Perhaps when I return someday, I might, for my own protection, but until then, my demons will handle things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlright,\u201d he said as he guided her towards the carriage. \u201cDid you have fun, darling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBest ball ever! Can we do that again someday?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

~o.O.o~<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam was careful indeed when picking the Vervain on their way back to Spain. She hung it on one side of the carriage to dry out the leaves faster and had made a tea from it. Kol stayed well clear of it, but he was surprised that she didn\u2019t think the tea was disgusting. Vervain was a very acquired taste. By the time they crossed into France, she had collected all of her herbs for her powerful protection tea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol believed it was time. If he was going to introduce her to his family and hopefully have his siblings take her in as she so desperately craved for a family, she needed to be even more protected, be ready for contingencies. Such as accidentally turning. In a family like his, you\u2019d never know who\u2019d throw a temper tantrum. He produced a page he had torn out of one of the grimoires he had found in the library in Florence and handed it to her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat is this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s everything you need to make daylight rings or amulets,\u201d he explained. \u201cFor vampires to use, but mostly for your own protection. I want to introduce you to my family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAh, fickle vampires.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes,\u201d he let out a small chuckle. \u201cMy sister Rebekah can get quite jealous and go into a blind rage. My brother Niklaus has anger issues and me? For some reason my family makes me want to kill all the bloody time, and I\u2019m not sure if I can contain myself around them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut what if I don\u2019t want to be a vampire?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can still make use of your demons, darling. As a demonologist you won\u2019t need magic to do so, the power is in your belief, intent, and words,\u201d he reminded her. \u201cAnd you don\u2019t have to be a vampire, not if you don\u2019t want to, but should something happen and you\u2019d turn, I\u2019d love it if you\u2019d make the transition so we can have more parties together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan I think about that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course, but I still want you to start making these for yourself. At least to have them to hand them to vampires who don\u2019t have them yet. They\u2019ll be loyal to you for giving them the gift of freedom, to walk in the sun, and they\u2019ll protect you from other supernatural beings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLike my pets.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, but more tangible. I don\u2019t want to leave you unprotected. Therefore, the next carriage we\u2019ll pass, I\u2019ll kill the inhabitants, and you\u2019ll get their jewellery to play with. We can pick up the gemstones in Nice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNice? I don\u2019t think I am ready to go back home yet, Kol.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen you\u2019ll stay on the outskirts while I get you the stones,\u201d he kissed her hand. \u201cBut the sooner you have those trinkets, the better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She nodded then and let out a breath as she read the paper. \u201cShould be easy enough, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes. I believe it won\u2019t take you long to master it and when you do, I want to teach you how to create dark objects. Also for your protection.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looked at him and felt that something was off. \u201cWhy are you all about me needing to protect myself all of a sudden? Are you going somewhere? Are you leaving me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, darling, don\u2019t you fret,\u201d he smiled at her and kissed her. \u201cI merely want you to be able to protect yourself in every way possible when we go and meet my siblings. No doubt what happened in Florence has gotten round to them, and it\u2019s likely they won\u2019t be happy about it. My brothers are stronger than I am so your pets won\u2019t do much to them unless you get stronger ones.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not without danger.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know, hence I want to teach you how to make dark objects, and have you use your natural magic so you can protect yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAh, don\u2019t worry about me, darling, I\u2019m used to being the black sheep of the family! They\u2019ll adore you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It felt as if years of knowledge had suddenly been crammed into her head on their way to Spain and if it hadn\u2019t been for their frequent sexual escapades, she wouldn\u2019t have been able to deal with it all. She had also made a new mini army of demons on their way over to Spain, after having left all of them occupied in Italy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She had taken a handful of creepy looking dolls in Marseille and had attached her demons to them, just to unnerve Kol, and it was hilarious. Ever since Marseille, the dolls were at one side of the carriage, and she and Kol were on the other, and for some reason, Kol felt as if the toys were staring at him at all time. It was fun. A lot of fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, during sex, she\u2019d put the dolls away because even that was going too far for her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She wasn\u2019t nervous about meeting Kol\u2019s family. If anything, after all the stories he told her, she was more than curious about Klaus and Rebekah. She wasn\u2019t sure about Elijah yet, because Kol had told conflicting stories about him. One of him being a fountain of knowledge, and other stories about him being an absolute stick in the mud and needing to control everything, including his siblings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But she was so happy to be able to get out of the carriage without having to get back in again that she happily jumped out of it and released the horses herself. \u201cGo run, friends, you deserve it! Make some whoopee, build a family!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThose were good horses!\u201d Kol complained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd they served us well!\u201d Myriam countered. \u201cThey deserve to be free. That\u2019s what I do with all my pets who served me well. Except for you. I can\u2019t seem to get rid of you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHa!\u201d Kol barked out a laugh. \u201cFat chance, darling. Leave your belongings inside, we\u2019ll get someone to take your bits and bobs to our room.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur room?\u201d she blinked at him. \u201cOur room?\u201d she repeated, a bit more force behind her words. \u201cExcuse me, but just because we\u2019re having sex doesn\u2019t mean we need to share a room!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, our room. Until I\u2019m certain that my siblings won\u2019t try to kill you. It\u2019s not every day that I\u2019m bringing someone home to meet my family. A wonderful lady, at that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLady?\u201d Myriam shook her head. \u201cI am no lady!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know that. Your farts smell terrible, and you stink up the carriage when you do it! Ladies don\u2019t fart!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDried blood stinks worse! I told you time and time again, to be discrete and careful of your clothes, but noooooo. Seriously, tie a napkin around your neck! How hard can it be?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frustrated, Kol pushed her towards the closed door. \u201cHow about I bite down your breast and use you like a wet nurse?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m on vervain,\u201d she winked at him. \u201cI\u2019d like to see you try!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The door opened then, revealing what looked like one of Kol\u2019s brothers. \u201cBrother, you finally made it home,\u201d he greeted him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDarling, meet Elijah, Elijah, meet\u2026 her. She refuses to give me her name.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cInteresting,\u201d he said as he gently took her hand and kissed it. \u201cCome, you must be weary of your journey.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAh, another Mikaelson with impeccable manners,\u201d she said as she withdrew her hand and stayed close to Kol. \u201cTell me, are you a messy feeder as well?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A small smile danced on Elijah\u2019s lips then. \u201cI assure you that Kol is in a class of his own.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI thought so,\u201d she said as she had her hand on one of her amulets around her neck. While yes, her dolls in the carriage were possessed, she still carried one or two demons with her on her person. \u201cYou\u2019re not even surprised he brought someone home?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is no doubt that you\u2019ll end up as his next meal,\u201d Elijah replied. \u201cMy apologies, for being so blunt, miss. But Kol\u2019s conquests don\u2019t last very long.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood thing I\u2019m not a miss nor a conquest then,\u201d she said as she looped her arm through Kol\u2019s. Elijah was incredibly unnerving to her senses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWait!\u201d a girl squealed from one of the rooms they passed, and a blonde head popped out. \u201cYou\u2019re married?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh hell no,\u201d Myriam shook her head. \u201cI\u2019m merely saying I\u2019m not a miss. Nor a lady. I\u2019m no angel. Not anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s a vampire at heart, believe me,\u201d Kol said to his sister. \u201cRebekah, meet her. Darling, this is my sister Rebekah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHer name is \u2018her\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Myriam smirked. \u201cI just never felt he was worthy enough to know my name. Not yet, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rebekah raised an eyebrow then. \u201cFor my brother to have kept you alive you must be quite special.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWho says she\u2019s not keeping me alive?\u201d Kol blinked at his sister. \u201cHonestly, Bekah, I do know how to treat people just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another door opened, and a man with dirty blond hair and beautiful blue eyes peeked out but didn\u2019t say anything. Myriam thought he was even more handsome than Kol. There was something about him that made her heart beat just a little bit faster. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow did you two meet?\u201d Rebekah asked curiously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, he kidnapped me,\u201d Myriam nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat!\u201d Kol exclaimed in shock. \u201cYou kidnapped me, first! And my kidnapping was a lot more gentle than what you had planned for me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTrue,\u201d she shrugged. \u201cBut I am kidnapped. He\u2019s not willing to let me go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat is ridiculous,\u201d Rebekah huffed as she hit her brother on the arm. \u201cWhy aren\u2019t you willing to let her go?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe doesn\u2019t want to go, and once you get to know her properly, you\u2019ll want her to stay as well. For the last year and a half, I\u2019ve been teaching her all I know, including English because one thing that I do know about her is that she\u2019s French. She is not a mere witch, she\u2019s special.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI hate that word, special,\u201d Myriam scowled as she let go of Kol and started to explore the home on her own while the siblings talked amongst themselves. It was fine if they talked about her, as long as she wasn\u2019t around to hear it. As she explored, she found another library that was at least the same size as in the Mikaelson home in Florence, and a study that overlooked the vineyards outside. It had some art supplies laying around and whoever was the painter in the family was quite the talent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking at the portraits hanging on the wall, she couldn\u2019t help but notice a familiar technique used on the painting that was in her possession and currently still on the carriage. Angry, Myriam marched back to Kol with her eyes narrowed at him. \u201cYou knew all along!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She walked outside to the carriage, took the painting off of the luggage rack and walked right back in with it. \u201cSomeone in this house painted this! You knew!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDarling, I did tell you that Niklaus and Elijah were at the court of Medici two hundred years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe wasn\u2019t alive two hundred years ago!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rebekah just smiled as she watched the girl go off on her brother and he was taking it. Elijah had paled just a little, and when her eye caught the painting, she could see why. \u201cMy brothers tend to keep their political allies close, and introduce themselves to every new generation to continue their business, their protection.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSpeaking of the Medici family, Kol, were you in Florence a couple of months back?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUh,\u201d he said impishly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam turned her eyes on him as her hand reached up to grasp her necklace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI honestly can\u2019t remember, she and I have had so much fun over the last year and a half\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut that painting was in Florence,\u201d Elijah pointed out. \u201cNiklaus gifted it to one of the brothers who remained at home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam glared back at the senior vampire. \u201cI do not know what your business is with those cochons<\/em> but it is terminated and someone new has taken over.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is not a family left to do business with, mademoiselle,\u201d Elijah replied calmly. \u201cI received word that there had been trouble and when I went to investigate I came into an empty house, rotting bodies on a pile, a fountain of blood and some ashes in one of the bedrooms. There was no Medici in sight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She appeared unfazed but perhaps a little proud. \u201cI did enjoy that fountain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo it was you!\u201d Rebekah said to her brother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t me! Well, some of the bodies were, but it wasn\u2019t me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was not him. It was myself, though I did give him permission to feed on some. Impressive, no?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elijah\u2019s jaw fell on the floor as he looked between his youngest brother and his witch before he collected himself and looked at the young woman. \u201cDo you have any idea what you did?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe was likely taking her revenge, brother,\u201d the unnamed brother finally left his door and joined his family and the girl with the painting. \u201cI remember painting this woman, Veronique. She was a very valued member of the Medici court when we visited last. I heard stories about her being dismissed upon falling pregnant with one of the Medici\u2019s and no one has ever heard of her or her offspring since.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s dead,\u201d Myriam replied solemnly. \u201cShe died of consumption nearly 4 years ago, leaving me alone after it claimed the lives of our friends and family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am truly sorry to hear that, love. Your mother was quite an amazing woman,\u201d he smiled kindly before extending his hand. \u201cKlaus Mikaelson.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She took his hand and shook it. \u201cPleasure. My name is Myriam.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat it?\u201d Kol said surprised, not believing what he was hearing. \u201cThat\u2019s it? That\u2019s all it took?! I went a year and a half not knowing your name and my brother telling you a story about some painting is what did the trick?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot some painting!\u201d Myriam shot at him. \u201cAnd unlike yourself, your brother feels like he can be trusted blindly. With you, you never know what you get! Those are your words, not mine!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI like her,\u201d Rebekah smirked as she took Myriam\u2019s hand. \u201cCome, let me find you a room. Don\u2019t worry ducky, you\u2019ve survived Kol for a year and a half, no one\u2019s going to hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, I have no concerns about that,\u201d Myriam replied as she smiled at her. \u201cBut he was worried.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course he would be. No one he\u2019s ever brought home lasted very long, but you\u2019ve endured him for longer than most,\u201d Rebekah replied as she opened the spare bedroom. \u201cThis one is the only one not taken, but if you prefer to have Kol\u2019s bedroom that\u2019s on the other side of this one, I\u2019m sure he wouldn\u2019t mind switching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam looked around. It was more than just a bedroom. It had a desk, a bookcase, a luxurious bed and enough space for her to move around. Her creepy dolls could sit in a corner. There were paintings on the wall, and there was a beautiful view of the village below. \u201cOh, don\u2019t bother, I can sleep everywhere,\u201d she eventually said, although she was quite hesitant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While she had been in more fancy homes, including the Mikaelson family home in Florence, and other elegant homes along their way back, she had never taken the time to get used to it. It was bed, sex and sleep for the most part. If she was going to stay here for a while, she wasn\u2019t quite sure how she\u2019d be able to keep up the pretence that this wasn\u2019t too much. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d Rebekah asked. \u201cBecause the other side of the house has a much better view!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d Myriam replied with a smile. \u201cI\u2019ll get my belongings from the carriage. You don\u2019t mind dolls, do you?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes!\u201d Kol could be heard from the hallway. \u201cI do mind! Those things have been staring at us since Marseille!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKol adores them, really,\u201d Myriam smiled as Rebekah followed her towards the carriage and got one of her dolls out. \u201cSee?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDarling, are you feeling well? That doll looks quite unnerving?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAh, they\u2019re harmless, I promise,\u201d she put a few in her bag and carried the rest. \u201cIf you do see one that you like, you can have it? A token of my appreciation for your warm welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToo creepy, huh?\u201d Myriam smiled at her. \u201cHow about one of my necklaces? Don\u2019t you think they\u2019re pretty?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDarling, I can have anything I want, you can keep your trinkets,\u201d Rebekah eventually said as she followed Myriam back into her room. \u201cIn all honesty, the dolls look unclean. Dirty. Broken. Doesn\u2019t quite fit the decor of this house.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam had to agree with that, but that didn\u2019t matter, there were plenty of trinkets in her room that she could transfer her pets into and Kol wouldn\u2019t even know. Perhaps until she would get rid of the dolls, but even then he\u2019d have a hard time sussing out where they were. For all he\u2019d know was that she released them. It was an excellent idea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow about I give you some time to settle in?\u201d Rebekah smiled at her. \u201cFeel free to have a look around the property and give a shout when you get lost, one of us will be able to find you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

~o.O.o~<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is impossible for a normal witch to have that kind of destructive power,\u201d Elijah said as he was sitting in the sitting room with his siblings. \u201cAre you sure that the only thing you\u2019ve done was to feed on some of them?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, Elijah,\u201d Kol replied with a sigh, repeating what he had said before. \u201cShe is quite something. She\u2019s intelligent, and there is no doubt in my mind that she can be an excellent manipulator. She\u2019s powerful and a quick study. She spoke perfect English within five months. The speed that she picks up new information, new spells, is incredible, but her magic is dark. Very dark.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFascinating,\u201d Elijah replied. \u201cI imagine you\u2019ve taught her all of your tricks?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI taught her how to protect herself better in case something happens to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow what would happen to you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, I don\u2019t know, Nik, you lot could decide to dagger me again!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elijah released a frustrated sigh. \u201cKol. How do you know that she hasn\u2019t manipulated you to get to our family? Perhaps a plant by our father to lower our defences as I\u2019m sure he\u2019s aware of your affinity for witches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol sighed. \u201cWhen we first met, she didn\u2019t even know what vampires were. That she disturbed me while I was feeding. I\u2019m a messy eater, and I like my screamers, so she believed that I was taking advantage of a young lady like herself. She took me to the cabin she was staying at, not using her magic as she had a fundamental understanding of it, but she used\u2026 other skills. When she realised that she was in trouble with me around, she snapped my neck and ran.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAgain, that could be a ploy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet me finish, Elijah,\u201d Kol rolled his eyes at his brother. \u201cI chased her and saved her from some angry farmer she was using the stables of for herself and her horse. The horse didn\u2019t make it. It took her six months to open up to me about her life, her mother. She had this trinket belonging to the Medici family so I suggested we\u2019d go on a trip to see daddy dearest and I promised her I\u2019d continue teaching her as long as she didn\u2019t hurt me. And as long as I didn\u2019t do anything to hurt her, she wouldn\u2019t do that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t tell me that she didn\u2019t get on your nerves, brother,\u201d Rebekah said as she sat down in her chair. \u201cBesides, she\u2019s a witch, she\u2019s mortal. You could have killed her easily.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut I didn\u2019t want her to leave, and as long as she didn\u2019t want to leave, things were alright,\u201d Kol replied with a smile on his face. \u201cWe passed a field of vervain, and she loved the colour of it, decided to frolic around in the field and bring a bundle back to spruce up our carriage. You should have seen the look on her face when she hurt me. It broke my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSounds to me as if she\u2019s a good actress.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cElijah, I\u2019ve spent the last year and a half with her. Every day. Every night. No actress is that good. Besides, if Father would have planted her, he would have chosen someone who wasn\u2019t as poor as she was. He\u2019d choose someone clean, well mannered and easy going. While she\u2019s clean now and can have manners, she\u2019s anything but. Father would have chosen someone who\u2019s able to be compelled.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s not easy going? She\u2019s a challenge for you, Kol!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a game of survival, Elijah.\u201d he shot at his brother. \u201cFor three years she travelled from Nice to Spain to get to a port in the hopes of gaining entry on a ship that would take her to the New World. To start her life over. She\u2019s one tough cookie who hasn\u2019t known kindness in a very long time. Mikael wouldn\u2019t go for her, in fact, if he were smart, he\u2019d stay well clear of her because I believe she does have the ability to kill him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klaus had been silent to that point, listening about their new house guest and looked up in interest from his glass of bourbon. \u201cThen perhaps we should utilise her skills should he come our way. What is it exactly she can do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not going to be easy, Nik,\u201d Kol replied. \u201cShe won\u2019t allow herself to be used, trust me, I\u2019ve tried. However, you could try reason with her. We encountered someone in Florence that is a part of our history, and when I told her that, she was more than willing to do something so that she always knows what she\u2019s up to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTracking spells are not uncommon unless she took the individual\u2019s blood, Kol,\u201d Elijah replied, bored of the subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe doesn\u2019t need spells to protect herself or others. In fact, through her actions, she killed the new Hunters of the Five, and she hasn\u2019t gone mad because of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klaus\u2019 head turned in the direction of the guest room, curiosity piqued in his eyes. \u201cThat pretty thing killed the Five on her own?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith a little help of her pets, who stayed behind in the house in Florence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve heard these pets mentioned a time or two,\u201d Rebekah frowned. \u201cWhat are they exactly?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMyriam is a demonologist. She summons demons and attaches them to objects. Commands them to do her bidding, and she releases them when they have served her well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elijah ran a hand over his face, realising that what they were housing was undoubtedly well beyond their element. Meanwhile, Klaus\u2019 smile grew as he held his glass up to his lips. \u201cWe shall make certain she is as comfortable as she pleases. I certainly have no intentions of standing in the way of her dreams of the New World. Certainly, we can finance that if she could help us should we need it someday, hm?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe doesn\u2019t work that way, Nik, and might I suggest you tread carefully when it comes to her? She will use everything she knows for harm if something doesn\u2019t go the way that she wants it to go. Trust is to be earned, both ways, I understand that. But I trust her, and she trusts me. We\u2019ve worked hard on earning our mutual trust. For her to give you her name like that\u2026 she must be attracted to you. Even when I told stories about my family, she wanted to know about you all. And you don\u2019t know her. Get to know her before you ask for a favour. That\u2019s all I ask.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course we have to use her against Mikael!\u201d Rebekah cried out. \u201cIf she\u2019s able to take him away then we could finally live our lives in peace!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRebekah,\u201d Kol shook his head. \u201cI\u2019ve contemplated asking her, especially since we went after her own father, but Mikael is something entirely different. She has her own way of looking at things. Please, get to know her the way that I have, and you\u2019ll come to the conclusion that it\u2019s not in our place to ask.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klaus stared at the wall of books in the room they were in, lost in thought. \u201cI do not believe we have any prints on demonology. It would be a fascinating field to learn more of, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol gave him a disbelieving scoff. \u201cDon\u2019t be so sure of yourself. I won’t put it past her if she has one of her little demons in here spying on this conversation and reporting back to her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo she doesn\u2019t trust you,\u201d Elijah pointed out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, she doesn\u2019t trust you,\u201d he countered with a sigh. \u201cGive her some time to acclimate to her new surroundings and then get to know her,\u201d he then rose to his feet. \u201cI\u2019m going to check in on her, see if she needs anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rebekah\u2019s face scrunched up. \u201cBut she wouldn\u2019t give you her name? I don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs I said before, sister, we have a mutual understanding. As long as I don\u2019t hurt her, she won\u2019t hurt me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPerhaps I\u2019ll join you,\u201d Klaus offered, setting his glass down. \u201cShe appeared to like me. Maybe I can start a rapport with her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol shrugged then as he walked to Myriam\u2019s bedroom and found her sitting in the middle of a circle of her creepy dolls. \u201cDid you learn anything fascinating, darling?\u201d He asked playfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A smile appeared on her face as she opened her eyes. \u201cI\u2019m not particularly fond of your brother.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhich one?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe one that\u2019s not here,\u201d she replied as she rose to her feet. \u201cMy apologies, it\u2019s perhaps rude of me to instruct one of my demons to eavesdrop.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kol smirked as he glanced at Klaus. \u201cI expected as much. I just thought I\u2019d be the smart one to come and tell you everything in person.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m alright with you talking about me when I\u2019m not in the room,\u201d she replied. \u201cI merely wanted to gauge the responses. Perhaps it would be best if I would find a different place to stay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNonsense,\u201d Klaus spoke up as he sat down in one of the chairs in the room. \u201cMy family is naturally cautious when it comes to strangers in our home, especially when said stranger has formed a bond with our youngest brother.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI understand. You believe Kol\u2019s unreliable and wild, but in all honesty, that\u2019s not how I got to know him. He managed to reign himself in quite well over the last year and a half,\u201d Myriam replied. \u201cBut I imagine you might be frightened by what I can do. I promise you unless I\u2019m threatened or hurt, I\u2019m not using my magic or my pets to protect myself. You have my word.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd I believe that. See? There\u2019s no reason for you to find an alternative place of residence,\u201d he told her. \u201cAnd as we\u2019ve said before, you\u2019re free to roam the property. There\u2019s no need for you to stay in this room.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ll come out when I want to, thank you, mon LouLou<\/em>,\u201d she smiled at him before sitting back down in the middle of her circle of dolls. She didn\u2019t miss it that Klaus winced at her choice of nickname for him. And that pleased her greatly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, I see how it goes,\u201d Kol rolled his eyes at his friend. \u201cHe gets your name and a nickname on the same day!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam merely smiled at him, knowing that her silence unnerved him greatly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He relented with a sigh. \u201cWe\u2019re still having sex tonight!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myriam shook her head and used her magic to push Kol out of the room gently. It was harder to get Klaus out as he was seated and she\u2019d have to move him and the chair, but Kol was trying too hard. \u201cNot anymore, Mon Chou<\/em>, but you\u2019ll always have a special place in my heart,\u201d she said before closing the door the moment Kol was outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not fair!\u201d Kol whined from outside the door. \u201cYou can\u2019t replace me like that!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing to replace because there wasn\u2019t anything,\u201d Myriam said as she looked at Klaus who had an amused look on his face. \u201cKol told me about your family being meddlesome and in each other\u2019s business, but I wasn\u2019t aware that it was this bad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re as old as we are and have lived with each other for so long, a little codependency doesn\u2019t hurt,\u201d he replied. \u201cIt\u2019s what keeps us together, as a family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKol told me about the vow you made with Elijah and Rebekah, always and forever, but why didn\u2019t you include him? Is he really such a menace to you all that you refuse to give him the light of day?\u201d Myriam questioned him. \u201cDon\u2019t get me wrong, Kol told me, and showed me, how he likes to have fun. He told me about his unstable emotions and insatiable bloodlust. But you do know that all he wants is to be loved by his siblings, don\u2019t you? He doesn\u2019t care about consequences because you don\u2019t care about him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re very perceptive, Myriam, but I don\u2019t think you\u2019re in the position to lecture me on how we function as a family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPerhaps not, but over the last year and a half he significantly relaxed and became more at ease with himself and his troubles. And he became my family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDid he now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI lost mine, and when we met, we gave each other what we didn\u2019t know that we needed. I gave him stability, he made me feel home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd you had sex.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She shrugged then. \u201cWe both have our needs. Kol was the first one where I didn\u2019t feel like I had to, and that I could take control. I didn\u2019t need to use myself as payment for services or favours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd you never have to again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know that. My body is mine to give away, freely,\u201d Myriam smiled. \u201cOn top of that, I think I\u2019ve ended the entire Medici line, or at least thinned them out greatly. I have control over their estate through my mother. I had them sign everything over to her, and since she\u2019s dead\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t give them your name?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course not, Kol would have found out,\u201d she replied as a matter of factly. \u201cIt was a lovely thing to see him squirm and beg for my name all this time. I\u2019m a little sad that it\u2019s over.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was silent for a few moments as he watched her with her dolls. Unsure if Kol was able to hear them or not, if she placed a silencing spell on the room, he felt the need to ask. \u201cSo why give me your name? You do not know me, and I assure you, I\u2019m known to kill just as freely as my brother.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKol told me about you, and I felt a draw to you,\u201d Myriam said after trying to find the right words. \u201cEven when you peeked out of your room when we arrived, I could feel it. I knew it was you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou cast a spell on my family?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo! I\u2019d never!\u201d She blushed then. \u201cPerhaps, I\u2019ll admit to having one of my pets follow Kol when he\u2019s left me to assure he had kept his word. Nothing more, ever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThen what is it that makes you so interested in me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s kindred spirits. Kol told me all about your family, and about being vampires. Your story resonated with me, and I don\u2019t know how to explain it. I\u2019m very aware that you don\u2019t know me and that I only know you from Kol\u2019s experiences. But perhaps we could be friends? See where we end up?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSweetheart, I\u2019m a vampire. You\u2019re mortal. You know it won\u2019t work out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPerhaps not, but there\u2019s no reason not to try and open your heart a little bit. Everyone deserves to be loved, no matter how awful they think they might be. Because according to your rhetoric of your family being one of monsters, then what does that make me? I\u2019m not a white witch. I pray to the dark Goddess Hecate for my power.\u201d She then pointed at her dolls. \u201cAnd I play with demons, who could seriously harm me if I don\u2019t do it correctly. I had them kill your hunters. I had them do terrible things, and I\u2019m not remotely remorseful. Because they earned my punishment. And in other scenarios, I needed to protect myself and my family.\u201d Before he could say anything, she smiled up at him, her dark eyes meeting his blue. \u201cThere is beauty in darkness. Just because we live in the dark doesn\u2019t mean we can\u2019t love or be loved, either.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Chapter 02 \u201cVeronique?\u201d An unfamiliar voice asked quietly, causing Myriam to snap around to the man. \u201cOh, my apologies, milady, I was mistaken. I saw you pacing, just as she would, around this same fountain. Sometimes I wonder\u2026\u201d So this man was her father? What a pitiful excuse of a…<\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":816,"parent":818,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-826","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 \u201cVeronique?\u201d An unfamiliar voice asked quietly, causing Myriam to snap around to the man. \u201cOh, my apologies, milady, I was mistaken. I saw you pacing, just as she would, around this same fountain. Sometimes I wonder\u2026\u201d So this man was her father? What a pitiful excuse of a... 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I saw you pacing, just as she would, around this same fountain. Sometimes I wonder\u2026\u201d So this man was her father? What a pitiful excuse of a... 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