A New Beginning (sequel to Coming Home)

5. The Party

The party seemed to be in full swing as we entered. Every where I looked men in tuxedos talked while women in evening gowns laughed. I was also able to tell that most of the people here were human. As Marcel led me through the crowd I turned my head slightly. "Do you mind me asking what this party is celebrating?"

Marcel paused before answering, "I host these galas to keep the humans of New Orleans happy. I bring in a lot of big donations for the city, which keeps the human faction happy and in return my people are given free reign, as long as we stay away from the locals of course."

It was obvious Marcel was very proud of the way things were being run here. He had no way of knowing that I was fully aware that it was the Mikaelsons' that started the 'human faction' when they ran the quarter all those years ago.

"That's pretty clever. Keep everyone happy." I smiled up at him as I praised him. He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed the back of it.

At that moment I felt Nik's gaze bore into my back. I fought the urge to turn towards him, instead I kept my focus on Marcel.

He tilted his head slightly, "If you'll please excuse me for a moment Jennifer, I have some business to attend to. Mingle, enjoy yourself and perhaps you'll save me a dance?" Marcel left without waiting for my reply. I watched as he all but strutted over to a small group of human men. They were all handshakes and uneasy smiles. Obvious that none of them trusted eachother.

Great... now what I was supposed to do? I didn't know anyone here, why did Cami have to bail on me?

I made my way to the bar but once there every attempt at getting the bartenders attention went unnoticed in favour of the humans standing around me. I was contemplating jumping over the bar and snapping the barman's neck.

"Allow me."

My heart quickened, and I felt a shiver run through my body at the sound of his voice. I turned to face him, he raised his hand and clicked his fingers. Immediately the barman stood waiting for Nik to speak. I finally looked at the barman, annoyance on my face.

"Two glasses of champagne." Nik ordered.

"Thank you... Klaus... was it?" I asked, feigning ignorance, before taking a sip of the bubbly drink.

I felt my nose scrunch up as I tasted champagne for the first time. I quickly put the glass back down, looking at it in disgust. How did people drink this?

When I looked up Nik was smiling. The first genuine smile I had seen on him in weeks.

"It is an acquired taste I'm afraid. Why don't I get you another drink?" I could hear the laughter in his voice as he ordered a vodka for me. I couldn't help but feel a flutter of hope deep in my chest.

"Nik, I..." I didn't get to finish as the moment I spoke; I could actually see all the warmth leave his face even though his smile did not. Once again cold eyes looked upon me. I started to walk away but he grabbed me hand.

"Surely you will not deny me the pleasure of a dance sweetheart?" His question left no room for an answer as he immediately led me to the centre of the room and spun me to face him. He placed his left hand on my lower back and took my left hand in his right. Instinctively I placed my own left hand lightly on his shoulder.

We didn't speak as we began to spin around and around, our eyes never leaving eachother. The feel of his hand on my bare back was all I could think of, I had to focus... to clear my mind.

"So you're Marcel's friend? Is it true then?" I asked, keeping my voice innocent. I could hear the tension in his own as he spoke, "Is what true?"

"Is it true that he is the King of New Orleans?" I fluttered my eyelashes at him as I spoke. I knew I was poking the proverbial bear but I was hurting and wanted him to hurt with me.

I felt his grip on me tighten, the fingers he held felt like they might snap off in his grasp, but I kept smiling.

"So what, pray tell, brings you to our fair town?" Nik quickly changed the subject.

"Stupidity."

I could feel him falter in his step as we continued to dance, oblivious to all those around us, but he recovered quickly. "Please, do elaborate."

My voice went quiet as I spoke. "I fell in love with a man, a dangerous man. I gave up everything to be with him... and I did it gladly." I paused briefly, I felt like we were alone, that there were no other people on the earth at that moment. "Now comes the stupidity. He fought for me, unlike anyone I had ever known. I believed him when he gave me promises of our future together. I would have followed him to hell and back."

As I finished talking we stopped dancing, our hands dropping from each other. "Then what happened?" Nik's voice now matched the level of mine, barely above a whisper.

"He brought me to hell alright. The problem is he left me there." My voice broke as I answered him, tears in my eyes.

The pain that flashed on his face was evident. I started to reach for him when suddenly I found myself standing alone. Who was I kidding? I came here to hurt Nik but only ended up hurting myself.

I raised my head and found myself looking into Rebekah's tear filled eyes from across the room. It was obvious she had heard everything I said and I knew the sorrow she wore matched my own expression.

I had to get out of here.

I pushed my way through the crowd towards the exit, but was stopped my Marcel standing in front of me. He truly looked concerned. I tried to strengthen my voice, "I'm very sorry Marcel but I don't appear to be in a party mood. I think I should leave."

Marcel took my hand. "I heard your conversation with Klaus. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, I was just curious. Are you ok?"

Well what kind of stupid question was that, obviously I wasn't ok.

Ok Jennifer... calm down, he's just being nice. I nodded at him, "I will be. I was just reminded of old wounds. I just need to go home. Thank you so much for the invitation and I'm sorry you didn't get that dance."

The look in his eyes told me that he wasn't done with me yet but he just smiled, "Don't worry about it, and it was my pleasure to have you here. Would you like someone to accompany you home?"

I raised my eyebrow at that last comment, "It's very kind of you Marcel but I think I can take care of myself." With that I stepped around him and left the happy sounds of the party behind me. Once on the street I paused and closed my eyes. I was trying to control my breathing, to try and calm myself down.

Screw this.

I didn't care who saw me. I had to get out of here, away from the people. Using all my vampire strength I ran as fast as I inhumanly could all the way back to the house I was coming to hate.

Once inside I started for my room but paused at the bottom of the stairs. I wasn't sure as to why I stopped, all I knew was that the last time I had this feeling was the day I first found Rebekah's coffin back in Mystic Falls.

As with that day I instinctively followed my feet down to the basement. I was drawn to the unknown coffin that I had quickly brushed off on my last visit down here, the day I had searched for Elijah.

I stood beside it, running my fingers over the decorative embossed 'M' on the lid. Keeping my fingers running along the lid I moved to the foot of the wooden box. I felt that gnawing feeling once again as I stood there, finding it hard to look at the small name plate.

As my gaze lowered to the petite gold plate I felt all the air rush out of my lungs as I tried to focus on the lettering. My mind started racing, it made no sense. I was unconsciously stepping back, away from what was right in front of me. That name plate burning in my mind.

'Jennifer'