Chapter One
Katerina. That name kindled a firestorm of feelings within Elijah Mikaelson. Among them was love, anger, betrayal…maybe even a twinge of hatred. What had prompted the beautiful Katerina Petrova to contact him? Undoubtedly, she needed something. She never acted without an ulterior motive in place. Thus, he hesitated, allowing his phone to vibrate obnoxiously for a few more seconds. Finally, his morbid sense of curiosity won over and he answered.
"Katerina," he said with his faint English accent. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"I've missed you," Katerina responded in her typical coquettish manner. "Can't a girl just call up an old friend to catch up?"
"Don't patronize me with niceties. What is it that you want?"
On the other end, Katerina paused for a few moments before saying, "Let's just say that I'm about to acquire something that you would be very interested in."
"What is it?" Elijah sighed exasperated by her ambiguity.
"To find that out, you'll have to meet me in person."
Taking a deep breath, Elijah responded, "Where?"
"At the Chateaux Mérieux. Be there at seven."
She hung up without another word, while Elijah stared off into space, completely vexed and baffled.
The Chateaux Mérieux was one of his favorite restaurants located approximately two hours north of Mystic Falls. Whatever information Katerina had, she deemed it powerful enough to venture back home. It took a level of courage or maybe it was arrogance to attempt such a feat. For years, she had been on the run from his half-brother Niklaus. Well, to be fair, she had also tried to steer clear of him as well. It all went back to a five-hundred year blood feud, made more passionate due to the fact that they were all vampires. Niklaus had wanted to sacrifice her, when she was still mortal, in order to break a curse placed upon him. His brother was not only one of the first vampires, but a werewolf as well. The shedding of the curse would allow him to harness the powers of both species, instead of his werewolf side lying dormant. However, before the curse could be broken, Katerina had escaped and committed suicide, effectively ending Niklaus' dream. Unfortunately for Katerina, she had died with vampire blood in her system, resulting in her transformation from mortality to immortality.
Despite being younger, Niklaus wielded more physical power than Elijah and subsequently forced him to hunt her down. This prompted Elijah to face an emotional quandary. He loved his brother and valued family above all else, but he also had fallen under Katerina's spell. He loved her…he still loved her as much as he loathed to admit it. After everything that she had done over the years to hurt him and his family…he still wanted her. Damn it! Why? Why was he such a masochist when it came to that charlatan? Why did he allow himself to still care for her? He kept telling himself that Katherine Pierce, the name Katerina now went by, was not the same woman that he had fallen in love with five centuries ago. But, could she still be there? Was his beloved Katerina still inside, just buried beneath the pain and angst of a tragic life?
So there he stood, four hours later, before the ritzy Chateaux Mérieux, dressed in his usual attire: black dress slacks, white button up shirt, black dress jacket, black tie, shiny black shoes…he liked black. He had retained his polished façade out of habit after spending many lifetimes as a nobleman. Checking his watch, he noted that it was exactly seven 'o' clock.
"I'm right on time," a familiar voice whispered in his ear.
Whirling around with preternatural speed, Elijah grasped Katerina's arms.
"Did I scare you?" she teased, looking up at him, her long lashes fluttering flirtatiously.
"No," Elijah said, a faint smile crossing his lips.
Stepping back, he assessed her. She looked gorgeous as ever with her wavy brown hair cascading down her back and chest, her delicate bone structure, and plump pink lips. A dark blue dress clung to her slim, yet curvy body in all the right places and her five inch pumps made her nearly as tall as him.
Katerina's almond eyes evaluated Elijah with equal interest. She had always found the Original vampire extremely handsome. He had a chiseled jaw and high cheekbones that alluded to his Viking heritage. The aforementioned coupled with his expressive hazel eyes made him simply irresistible.
"You look stunning as always, my dear Katerina," Elijah said, his calm voice contrasting starkly with the roiling feelings of attraction ebbing and flowing through his veins.
"You look debonair as well, a perfect date."
"Let's not get confused," Elijah said, grabbing her wrist. "I'm here only to appease my curiosity."
"Oh come now Elijah," Katerina said with a throaty laugh. "You know you missed me."
He had missed her, but he would never admit that to her. Why was it that every time he was reacquainted with Katerina that he felt like the Samson to her Delilah?
The din of couples chattering and silverware clinking met Elijah's ears as he and Katerina made their way to the hostess podium.
"I have a reservation under Katherine Pierce," Katerina said, her brown eyes unblinking as she addressed the bubbly blonde hostess.
The way Katerina's pupils had rapidly enlarged before returning to their normal size meant that she had just compelled the young woman.
Compulsion was another benefit of immortality. Humans unless they consumed or wore the anti-vampiric herb known as vervain, could be persuaded to do anything a vampire desired.
"Right this way," the blonde said, though her expression was slightly dazed and uncertain.
"Why didn't you just make a reservation?" Elijah whispered into Katerina's ear.
"Because it's more fun to use compulsion."
Shaking his head at her ceaseless utilization of mind games, Elijah pulled out a chair for her at the table the hostess designated for them.
"Blagodarya," Katerina said, giving thanks in her native Bulgarian.
"Vie ste dobre doshli," Elijah replied.
Of the many languages he spoke fluently, Bulgarian was one of his favorites. He loved the way the r's rolled off of his tongue. Though the language had its harsh elements, he enjoyed speaking and hearing it, especially when the Slavic words fell from Katerina's lips…
"So, Katherine," Elijah began, trying to divert his attention back to business. "What is this master plan of yours?"
"You waste no time, do you? I haven't even had my wine yet."
As if on cue, a handsome waiter strolled over.
"What can I get you two to drink?" he asked in a thick French accent.
"I would like a glass of Pinot Grigio, please," Katherine said, flirtatiously touching his forearm. Even when talking to the waiter she maintained a playful façade. She treated all men the same…like chess pieces to move about at her whims.
Momentarily distracted by her beauty, the waiter blushed before furiously scribbling her order down on his notepad.
"And you sir?" he asked, unable to hide his disappointment that this engaging young woman was otherwise involved.
"The same as the lady please."
"Of course," the waiter replied. "If there is anything that you need, just let me know." His eyes lingered on Katherine for a few moments longer than was customary for two strangers before retreating to grab their drinks.
"How is Klaus?" Katherine asked.
"He's otherwise occupied at the moment if that's what you mean."
"Oh?" Katherine said, raising an eyebrow. "How so?"
"Let's just say that my brother is getting a run for his money."
"Silas is getting into his head, isn't he?"
Brows furrowing, Elijah opened his mouth in response just as the waiter returned with a bottle of wine.
"It's on the house," he said, shamelessly winking at Katherine before pouring the golden liquid into two glasses.
"Thank you," Katherine giggled as she grabbed his arm. Pulling him down to eye level, she looked deep into his blue eyes and said, "Now forget about this table and don't bother us again. We already paid and you don't need to wait on us anymore."
"You two have a wonderful night," the waiter said, the same dazed expression crossing his face as the hostess. "I hope you enjoyed the meal."
"I would have paid for the dinner," Elijah said after the young man had wandered off to another table.
"I don't want dinner. I just had Type O for lunch and I'm still full. I want to know more about Klaus and Silas."
"How do you know about Silas?"
"I make it my business to know everything. That's why I asked you to come here. Let me guess, he's painstakingly searching for information on the legendary immortal."
Elijah could only stare at her dumbly.
Taking his silence for a yes, she continued, "I know that the Salvatore's are planning a reconnaissance mission to find the cure to immortality."
"What?"
"C'mon, you have to know the story."
"Of course, I'm over 1000 years old. I know about the witch Qetsiyah and how to get back at her adulterer of a fiancée, Silas; she turned him from a witch into an immortal, burying him with the cure that could end his suffering. Only, he cannot take it for he lays paralyzed and desiccated, pining away for his one true love."
"You sound skeptical," Katherine said, taking a sip of wine.
"It's an old story, passed down from generation to generation."
"Well, I believe it and from what I hear, your brother believes it too."
"So, you're off to find this cure?"
"Yes, and when I do, I plan on giving it to your brother as a peace offering. I know he wants to destroy it and maybe…just maybe, he'll grant me my freedom."
Elijah regarded Katherine in silence for several moments. She had completely transformed from a coquettish vixen to a tragically misunderstood damsel. How did she do that?
"Katerina, you and I both know that…"
"Please Elijah; don't tell me that Klaus won't waver in his vendetta. I can't lose hope that someday, he will forgive me. I'm tired of running."
Instinctively, Elijah reached out and took hold of Katherine's hand. Stroking it with his thumb, he said softly, "I'm sorry that you've spent the last five-hundred years living in fear. And I know, that it is partially my fault that…"
"Elijah no," Katherine began, but Elijah raised a hand to silence her.
"I should have protected you all of those centuries ago. I should have stood up to my brother then."
"I don't blame you Elijah. I trust you. Besides, if you had stood up to Klaus, you would be dead. We both know he doesn't give second chances."
With that, Katherine looked down at where their hands were joined.
"Do you remember that day when you told me that you did not believe in love?" she asked.
"Yes," Elijah said his voice barely a whisper.
"Did you really mean that?"
Her brown eyes were so expressive and probing that Elijah felt powerless, unable to lie.
"No, I didn't."
"Then why did you say it? You always choose your words so carefully."
"Because," Elijah said, swallowing hard. "I didn't want you to know that I had fallen in love with you."