Chapter 1

Monsters

Lucien was struggling to stay calm; his heart was still beating like a drum. Well, he had just witnessed five people being slaughtered and by some miracle managed to convince the killers to spare his life. These creatures, whatever they were, had just voted whether they would kill Lucien or not. Two of them, men called Elijah and Kol, had wanted to kill him and fortunately three of them, Finn, Rebekah and Niklaus, had wanted to spare him.

One of them, a woman with light brown hair, hadn't voted at all. In fact, she hadn't said a word, she kept her distance as the others were getting rid of the bodies and trying on their new clothes. Especially the blonde woman, Rebekah, seemed to be more than excited to try on a gown of a noblewoman.

Lucien was very nervous, he wasn't sure if he could do this. He had to, he didn't have a choice. Somehow these creatures needed to pass as nobles. He glanced at the brunette again. As far as Lucien could tell, she hadn't participated in the killing. She was sitting on the ground, absentmindedly touching the flowers beside her. She looked tired. Was she really one of these creatures? If she wasn't, what was she doing with them? Lucien couldn't help but stare at her until she looked up and noticed him. She smiled at him. It was a kind and warm smile. How had she ever ended up…

"You like what you are seeing?" a male voice suddenly asked, startling Lucien.

The worst one of the creatures, Kol, was standing next to Lucien.

"No, my lord," Lucien murmured quickly. "I mean…"

Kol smiled and put his hand on Lucien's shoulder.

"Come on now, there is no need to be shy. She is beautiful, is she not?"

Lucien swallowed, he was too afraid to say anything. He had seen what kind of a monster Kol was.

"The thing is that she belongs to me," Kol hummed and leaned closer. "I suggest you keep that in mind if you want to keep your pathetic life. If it would be my choice, you would be dead already."

Thankfully he didn't expect Lucien to reply, he simply walked away. Towards the brunette. She smiled at Kol as he held out his hand and helped her up. Neither of them spoke, they were signing. Lucien was just wondering about that, when another male voice appeared next to him.

"She is deaf."

Niklaus. The one Lucien owed his life.

"Oh…" Lucien murmured. "Are they…married?"

"No," Niklaus replied, he sounded amused. "She grew up with our family; my brother has always…fancied her."

Lucien found it hard to believe that someone like Kol could actually care about anyone.

"Her name is Anika," Niklaus added. "She will come with us to the castle."

"Is she like you?" Lucien blurted out before he managed to stop himself.

"No, she is not," Niklaus replied simply. "Now, I believe you have some work to do."

For a moment Lucien was confused.

"My lord?"

Niklaus raised an eyebrow.

"Teaching us?"

"Yes…Yes, of course."

Lucien cleared his throat and glanced at Kol and the brunette once more. They were still signing to each other; Kol seemed to be explaining something to her. She didn't look pleased, but she nodded. Lucien's first thought was very simple. He felt sorry for the girl.