Golden Eyes

T W E N T Y F I V E

The sun beams down warmly as I strolled the quiet streets of the French Quarter. It was still early so most shops hadn't opened yet, but slowly it started to get busier.

It had been a while since I ventured into society, probably since the day I turned my emotions on. Two weeks ago Nik and Julianne agreed taking me to Paradise right now wouldn't be the best given the odd nature of my pregnancy. I was shipped off across the river to Algiers which was too quiet and boring. Apparently, when the Mikaelsons founded the city centuries ago they had a few mansions that they still own to this day.

So I decided to sneak off to Norva. I missed the welcoming environment and I had been craving a blueberry muffin for hours. Nik was somewhere in town. The last few days he's been more secretive than usual. He checked on me but he didn't stay for too long.

Secrets were new to our friendship. Usually, we lay all our cards on the table. We trust each other enough to not hide things. He even started shutting me out of his mind.

If he won't tell me what's going on I won't listen to his rules. With this in mind, I continued my stroll to the cafe, getting more hungry as it came into view. I adjusted the bulky sunglasses on my nose and double-checked my hoodie. I got weird stares given the humid heat.

I ordered and enjoyed a blueberry muffin with orange juice. I sat in the quiet atmosphere for a few hours, even taking my journal out and pencil in fleeting thoughts.

I didn't acknowledge the presence in front of me or the loud scrap from the chair. I already knew who it was. The usual annoying bug that follows me around.

"You really aren't beating the stalker allegations," I murmured without looking up from my page. "Don't you have something to do? Someone else to bother?"

"I'm not stalking you. Those glasses aren't hiding anything." Marcel replied flatly. "We need to talk."

I shut my journal harshly and pushed it aside. My hopes of having a peaceful morning to myself were ruined. "Alright, Marcie. What are you accusing me of today at 8:30 in the morning?"

He leaned in closer. "The Originals have been lurking around my city. And I know you're the reason why you're here. And I also know you're the reason my vampires have been disappearing."

I scoffed as I opened the journal and continued writing. "If you knew the Originals you would know nobody can make them do anything." He wasn't convinced. "And if you're the 'King of New Orleans' why don't you go ask them yourself?"

"Because I know for a fact they have no business here. They haven't been back in New Orleans in centuries." Curiosity urged me to peek into his mind. It was nosey but I knew he wouldn't answer the new questions. All I managed to see was a glimpse of a blonde. I squinted at the choice of song he picked to block me.

I raised an eyebrow, "Beyoncé? You're like a million years old."

"Stay out of my head," He hissed quietly. "What are you doing with my men? What are you planning?"

I scoffed at his accusation, "I'm not doing anything. Maybe they just don't like you anymore." I stood up to order two more muffins. The bakery's aroma made my stomach growl. Marcel's antics weren't going to stop me from eating.

"Sit down," He ordered, blocking my way with his leg.

"God you're so clingy." I rolled my eyes and stepped over him. "I'm hungry. Move.

I hoped the man would take the hint and leave me alone. But of course, he remained seated. I made sure the groan I let out was exaggerated. He set his phone down, his full attention focused on me again.