Bloodlust

Chapter Eight

Nadya's POV

Paris has always been special to me. There are certain things that France possesses that defies all logic and instead feeds the lofty aura that has gained the City of Lights its well-earned fame.

Some of those things are its delicious desserts and quaint cafes.

I sit in one now, watching the Seine flow across from me. Sipping my tea, I glance at the passersby, the need for blood pounding throughout my veins. I haven't fed in hours, and if I don't soon, I may have to resort to the stash I keep in the back of Pierre's shop. Bagged blood was first introduced in the 1900s and I never fully adjusted to the taste. Too artificial for my taste, but the more squeamish vampires love them. To each their own, I suppose.

Despondently, I turn away from the river and face the two stone-faced vampires who have been watching my every move. As if I would be stupid enough to run from them now, in the light of day, when humans are at their weakest. "You two need to get laid," I say flatly.

"No shit," Will mutters as Niklaus clears his throat.

"Nadya, we're not stupid. We've been around for a while now and we understand that you're running from something. Care to tell us what?"

I raise an eyebrow, moving my pupils between the two with awfully disguised disgust. "Is this supposed to be a good cop, bad cop routine? Because if so, you're failing. Badly."

Niklaus groans. "Just tell us, Nadya!"

"We are literally searching for a murderous original vampire who cannot be killed and you are asking me why I've been running?"

"Yes, considering you said at the Council meeting that you've never heard of Henrik Lyricson or the origin of the original vampires."

I pause, contemplating Niklaus. I made a mistake, something I should know better than to do. I have had, unfortunately, centuries of practice. His gold hair gleams in the soft afternoon light, the magic of France lightening the toll the decades have taken on him. "I'm not a fool, Niklaus. Did you really think I was?"

Will interrupts before Niklaus can respond, saying, "Of course not. But it's fishy, Nadya, you have to admit. You and your stories and your...eccentricities don't line up."

I glance down at my teacup, where the tea dregs have made shapes. Many have doubted the art of divination and its subjugates: tea leaf readings, tarot cards, crystal ball readings. I, however, have found them innately useful. This, though, is not one of those times.

"Alastair and his friends believe what they are told. I know better." 

Niklaus leans forward. Despite his cold demeanor, it's clear that he thirsts for knowledge. As I said before: curiosity is both a sin and a blessing. "Who told you differently? And why do you entertain their tellings over the Council's?"

I snort and wave down to the waiter. As he comes over, I smile at him winningly and sink the compulsion deep into my voice. "Monsieur, you will cover our tab and deliver our leftovers to the cook. Tell him to make the cake with more chocolate flakes, next time." The waiter nods and I stand, walking briskly away from Will and Niklaus.

"That defies Council Law 1746," Niklaus says importantly.

"And what would that be?"

"Using compulsion on innocent humans for personal gain."

Rolling my eyes, I call to Will over my shoulder, "Why do the boring ones always get turned?" Now addressing Niklaus, I say, "You are immortal. You can't die, you can break the law and get away with it, and you choose to use that existence to...what? Live a mundane life in an extraordinary body?"

"The Law is hard, but it is the Law," he says stiffly, clearly miffed by my hard truths.

"Don't pull that Mortal Instruments crap on me," I snap. "The Law of the Council is bullshit. It's designed to retain immortality to the point of humanity and it disavows those who wish to do more with their life. What is life or immortality, even, if you can't experience it?"

"It's democracy."

I groan and quicken my pace, speed-walking to the edge of the Seine. Silently, I breathe in the river air, the very lifeblood of Paris. It's fame might come from it's fashion and iconic structures, but the Seine is what provides Paris with its essence. Without the Seine, Paris would not exist in the same capacity as it does now.

The same is true for the vampires.

"The Council is strong, but it isn't divine," I say, gazing over the river. Will and Niklaus have positioned themselves by my shoulders as I speak. Loose strands of my hair flit in front of me, escaping the loose ponytail I've pulled my unruly hair into. "They don't control everything and they don't know all, either." I blow out a long breath, closing my eyes as I allow Paris to sink into my skin, into my very being. It's easy, in a place such as this, surrounded by history and art and music. "I run because I'm afraid," I admit. "I run because I have destroyed decades-long friendships and betrayed covens of witches and killed some of the most powerful people on Earth with little regard. Or so everyone seems to think."

Niklaus is quiet, for a moment. There's no illusion where Will's position in this exchange is: on the sidelines. "Do you? Feel remorse, I mean."

"No."

"Then what they say is true."

I don't bother looking at him. "Take it as you will, Niklaus. But know that if I could, I would die before hurting someone as I have hurt my former friends."

"So let us." Niklaus' words rip at my very soul and I fail to hide my slight wince. "Let us stake you or burn you and you can repent for your sins."

I sigh and grab his chin, searching his chocolatey eyes for some sign of will to do what he promises. "You cannot kill me, Niklaus. Don't embarrass yourself by trying." 

damn, nadya! who's pov do you guys prefer?? nik's, will's, or nadya's?? what do you think of nadya's revelations??