Lie To Me
by BlackroseWitch
Chapter 2
The Name Tag
"Phase out the cars, the people, and the animals. Focus on the wind as it rustles through the trees, concentrate only on that." Breath in, breath out, Evelyn chanted the taxi cabs and buses. The construction workers, the birds and people began to slowly fade as the rippling sound of tree's sawing back and forth caressed her "Know try again" Nodding she took a deep breath as the rippling tree's stopped and the air surrounded her as she took a deep breath. "That's good you got it, now hold it, hold it." Beads of sweat started to form on her brow as her breathing came ragged. Concentrate, Concentrate, Concen…BANG!
Quinn sighed as she stared down at the broken flower pot. "I'll go get the broom." She said as she left the frustrated child on the terrace. Evelyn anxiously ran her fingers through her hair as she looked at the dirt splattered all over the floor and lifeless tulips. "Why can't I get? I can't believe I can't even levitate a friggin plant for five minutes, a friggin PLANT! I expected having the element of air was going to be easy, I mean it's AIR for God Sake"
"If you stress yourself out that way, then it would be no surprise that you can't even manage to handle even a plant. Besides no elemental power comes that easy you should have already figured that out." Quinn returned as she handed her pupil a dust pan, "I have been stressed since yesterday."
"Oh let me guess, Klaus has returned." Quinn grinned like the Cheshire cat. Evelyn frowned at her mentor's coyness as she scooped up the dirt. "I thought oracles never need to guess." She countered heading back to the kitchen. Quinn had been her mentor ever since she arrived in New York, hell the oracle was the one the pointed that she'd make a friend to come home to. After all that was same day she found Eudora. "Well it's not like I can give you straight answers, it's always better to leave a little bit of suspense in people's lives." That was the one part she always hated about Quinn's gift especially when it involved her. The oracle could never really tell you exactly the five W's without some unforeseen consequences on Gaia's part. Call it divine retribution if one of her watchers screwed up. Hell had no fury like Mother Nature scorned. "Here drink this you're going to need it for today." She said as she hand Evelyn a steaming mug. "I hate to ask but what am I gonna need this for? Wait. Don't bother… so what's in this thing, dragon tongue, fairy wings, no wait a mermaid's voice."
"Lara, it's just chamomile tea." Quinn monotonously said, as she took a sip from her own "Seriously what do you take me for? I'm an oracle not a witch." Taking a sip of her own Evelyn enjoyed the sweet pleasures as the warmth of the tea tickled her throat. "I know but its fun to tease you every once in a while, those are the only things you can't predict."
'HARHAR speaking of tease how are you and the man of the night?" Evelyn took a one of the fresh baked blueberry muffins from a dish before popping down on one of the bar stools. "Man of the night seriously? He can walk in the day Quinn, and by the way we are doing just fine, but then again you'd know about that too." Evelyn said as she took a bite out of the muffin. God they were as good as sex and she would never tell Klaus that. She loved Quinn's homemade muffins the 41 year old Feng Shui expert should have opened up a bakery instead of extracting anxiety from blue blood's homes. "Are you so sure about that?" Quinn questioned nearly had her chocking on her muffin as she glanced at the serious expression that adorned her mentor's face. There was no mirth just motherly concern that she always gave her when it came to her relationship with Klaus. "Yes, were fine, he just came back from a business trip from Virginia. What do you already suspect infidelity?" Only then did Quinn's eye's crack with a bit of mirth. "When it comes to you my dear I can already tell infidelity and him don't even exist together on the same planet. My concern is for how much you may really know of this Klaus." Quinn just rolled her eyes "It's been three years Quinn, what could I've not possibly learned?"
"It's going to take more than three years to learn what kind of person some like him truly is. There are too many demons for even myself to comprehend and I haven't been around that long." Fingering the rim Evelyn pondered Quinn's words; there was no way she could be possible missing out on anything. A secretive Klaus was one she had yet to meet. "Let's not dwell on my relationship status, how about locating the others? Have there been any word from Gaia about another elemental?"
"Gaia doesn't tell who comes and who goes she's unpredictable, you should know this. Yet something this way does hither so be on your guard because you get might just get ignite into chaos."
"Okay da Vinci thanks for the code I'll have fun deciphering it this evening." Evelyn grumbled as she took another swing from her mug. "Oh by the way you might want to check your bag." Evelyn sighed as she fetched for her bag. Just in time as phone chimed as Evelyn reached in and pulled out her phone. Glancing at the screen she hit the talk button, "I'm leaving right now Nathan how are things going?" As she shrugged on her pea coat and boots she bid Nathan and adieu and see you soon's before hanging up. "I see your service's are need else were Lara." Quinn said holding up a little doggie bag smirking as Evelyn eyes widened in brightened as she inspected the bag. Peeking inside she swore if she didn't have a friend like Quinn she'd be fatty hit up the nearest Mc Donald's or Burger King. "Thanks" Evelyn said as she tucked the doggie bag nicely away into her bag before following her to the door. "You're the best Quinn. I'll see you as soon as I can."
"Lara? Remember what I said. So be alert." Quinn said as she held the door open, "I will so you don't have anything to worry about." Evelyn said. Quinn watched as Evelyn disappeared into the elevator before closing her door. "That's what worries me."
AFTER TAKING AIRON back to Evelyn complex, it took him a good 15 minutes track down Eudora before he could place the mangy feline in her carrying cage. Even with his vampire power the cat had eluded him more than once making his job difficult. If wasn't for Evelyn's conscientious feeling about leaving the cat by herself he would have surely just left the little git there. The little flea bag even hissed and tried to scratch him when he'd reach out to her. He was almost tempted to let the lycan in him out, but only a deep growl broke through causing the cats hairs to stand on end in fear. Yet now as he drove down through the busy streets of TribeCa into Madison he glanced at the clock dash board and sighed in frustration. "Thanks a lot you mangy cat, you've made us late for our appointment." He was only greeted back with a hiss and rattling sound of the cat cage in the back seat. At least Airon had the decency to keep quiet as he lounged on the back seat. After a good hour he finally pulled into the Rosewood hotel round about.
Handing the Valet the key he waved a hand at the other who tried to course Airon out of the backseat after hearing the lethal growl. Airon barred his teeth and snapped when the valet tried to reach for his leash. The valet snatched his hand back as if burned and breathed a sigh of relief when Klaus waved him away. As his master stood before him Airon bowed his head in respect feeling the comforting pat Klaus bestowed upon him. "It's amazing how you can't act like a guard dog and be alert when Evie's around but can be guard dog when she's not here." Klaus murmured grasping the leash and stepping back in order to give the Dane room. "Maybe it's because he doesn't like new people in his space." Klaus turned arrowed and eyed the man's evenly combed dark locks to his hazel eyes. Prim and proper as he stood straight in a well tailored suit to his polished shoes. The man that appeared to be around his early 30's seemed all business even as he held Eudora's cage in his hand and blackberry in another.
"Yet Eudora seems to take after you so kindly Dom." He chided noticing the silence from within the cage as he moved to follow the gentlemen to the elevator. Once inside Dom flipped out a gold card and slid it down a key pad before punching in a bunch of numbers "I see you decided to treat yourself to a bonus." Klaus muttered as he eyed the stunning white gold Rolex on his wrist. "Consider it an early birthday present." Dom replied as he typed away on the blackberry. "Right your birthday. So tell me how's our boy holding up?" Klaus asked as he rested his back against the elevator wall watching as the numbers climbed higher and higher on the scream until it finally dinged when they reached the top floor. "You'll see for yourself."
Moving into the hallway they moved to the only door on the floor. Using the same card Dom slipped the card in the slot watching as it turn green before opening. Stepping in the place was silent as they moved down the foyer. It wasn't until they reached the living room a wicked grin seemed to manifest on to Klaus's face. Nailed to the floor with spikes in both his hands and feet, Stefan looked like a perfect image of a man on a crucifix's. Around him lying on the couch were three of his goons another came from the kitchen clutching a bag of blood. "Well if it isn't his majesty coming to our aid, we told Dom not to call you Tes has it all under control." The blond said as fingered the whole in his jacket. "The son of bitch did cost me a jacket, didn't you boy." He moved his foot to nudge the bound vampire head. Stefan's prone form could only just jerk his head from the swift kick. "Broderick's right he was just hungry, weren't you handsome." Tes said as she kneeled down next to him accepting the blood bag from Broderick. Stephan eye's just narrowed at the witch's snide face jerking away from her hand as she leaned over to caress his check.
Smiling at his attempt to move away from her, Tes let her fingers travel across the side of Stefan check as she drew lazy squiggles around the duck tape that bound his mouth. Once her fingers traveled over to the other side she fiddled with the edge before ripping it off his mouth. Stefan screamed at the sudden jerk, it felt like his skin was yanked from his body as the pain subsided only to replace with a burning feeling. Tes just grinned as he screamed; slipping a knife out from the side of her pocket she stabbed a hole in the bag. Letting the contents of the blood gush out dripping all over Stefan's face she laughed harder when he'd tried to jerk away from the over flowing mass. Tes then shoved the bag into his mouth watching as he tried relentlessly to wrench it from his mouth. Stefan tried to force up the blood but couldn't with the bag covering his mouth. He thus forced to swallow it all while making gagging noises with each gulp. "That's for the hair pulling you piece of shit." She sneered before shoving the empty bag into his mouth.
"As much as your means of torture amuse me, I'd appreciate it if you didn't destroy my penthouse while doing so." Klaus said as he eyed the broken vases and coffee table that was split right down the middle and the battered bar stools with their broken legs. Now I'll have to replace those. Sighing he handed the leash over to Dom before stepping over the fallen piece of debris before kneeling down next to Stefan. "You know when we left Mystic I thought I had your undivided attention Stefan. That really hurts me to know that after generously bring you to my lovely home you decided to reenact Amityville Horror here," Klaus's tone was calm and nonchalant. No one would have ever guess Klaus was displeased if Stefan didn't wither and moan at the sudden grinding and twisting feeling he felt as Klaus jerked at the broken table leg jammed into his hand. Klaus then used his other hand to grabbed Stefan's chin holding it in a firm grip as he moved it over to him grabbing the pain induced vampire's attention. "Now we're going try this again, I'm going to let you go and you are going to get cleaned up and you will not destroy whatever remains left of this place and you will behave yourself while you here." Klaus eyes dilated as his eye's captured Stefan's inflicted ones. As Stefan's tried to repel the convolution his mind was easily taken over in his weaken state. "Is that understood?" Stefan simply nodded at Klaus's command.
Letting go roughly, Klaus pulled the wood from Stefan's hand before tossing it to one of Broderick's handlers. "Clean this up all of you, and get him to his room." He declared as he moved over to Dom, "So Klaus what's with the pets are you turning this place into some sort of kennel?" Tes asked as she sauntered over to the original, she leaned down to pet Airon who once again in turn snapped at her approach fingers causing her to jerk back and glare at the beast. "The animals are none of your concern. I however warn you not to let harm come to any of them while I'll discuss things with Dom." Klaus said as he unhooked Airon leash, the great Dane didn't bother even venture he just plopped down were he stood by the bar and rested his head between his paws. Dom nodded before resting Eudora's cage on the countertop. "You weren't always this cold to me Klaus, but no matter I've known to be quiet the forgiving witch."
"Then I suggest you cast a spell and fix everything that was broke witch, because I've been known not to be as forgiving." Dom cut in never glancing up from his cell as he typed away furiously at it. Tes just frowned and hissed "You're presence was never requested Dom, so I suggest you butt out next time."
"Enough, Tes do as you're told and make sure nothing happens to them." And with that Klaus and Dom left down the hallway and into the study. Once inside and the door completely closed "Does she know about this?" Dom began taking a seat on the sofa while Klaus head over to his desk chair. "Tes just does as she told its best if she does in whatever way she pleases." Klaus said as he turned on his computer "I wasn't talking about Tes." Klaus turned away from the computer to glare at him, Dom just sighed at Klaus lack of response. "I warned you from the beginning what would happen."
"I'm aware of that Dom, I don't need you're chastising me about the matter."
"So what is your plan when your unmasked Klaus? Do expect Evelyn to be there for you waiting with open arms?" Dom mooched as unbuttoned his suit jacket before lounging back smirking as he watched Klaus aggressively fidget with the mouse. "Let me guess you don't have a plan. No scratch that I bet your plan would be to bind her to you permanently. Even it meant she'd hate you with every fiber of her being you'd still keep her to yourself."
He snuffed at Dom's comment "How would you know?" He mocked "Because that's just in your twisted nature." Dom countered causing the frantic clicking to stop. Rising up from out of the chair Klaus stood with his side facing Dom as he stared out over the city. Dom watched as Klaus shoulders tense and his face look stricken as he watched the messily ants scurry about their day. "She's just like them you know, those people down there and from my view there nothing put bugs as we rain above them. Yet she stood out, out all of them she was different so I don't feel any guilt about what I'd do to keep her by my side. So she will never know of this and since God has forsaken us all who every so much breathes a word about Katarina or Mystic Falls in her presence will need some other deity to rescue them from me."
Running his hand through his hair Dom nodded in understanding. "Speaking of Katarina she hasn't shown up on the grid yet, but I've told our boys at the V-Club's to keep us posted she'll eventually show up there, it's only a matter of time." Nodding Klaus turned to sit back in his chair. "Good then let's talk business."
*knock, knock, knock*
"DON'T DROWN YOURSELF in the sink Stefan, your no good to us suicidal." Tes voice vibrated through the closed bathroom door. He didn't bother respond as he watched the last wound in his hand slowly close and replaced with smooth non inflicted flesh. He looked up at his reflection in the mirror, for a vampire it wasn't likely for them not to show any bit a sleep deprivation. Yet the person staring right back at him looked as though he hadn't slept in 20 years. Sighing he ran his hand through his hair before flipping the faucet on and scooping the cool running water in his palms before splashing it in his face. He was a long way from home, trapped in this penthouse he didn't even have a clue where he was even if Klaus's convulsion had no effect on him. He had overheard one of Klaus's goons say something about New York. I guess that's where I am he though recalling spotting what he had believed to be central park from the living room window. He had recalled why he flipped out, Klaus hadn't taken any chance had he'd escape when he noticed his ring missing from his finger, in fact he didn't recall ever noticing it was missing.
*bang, bang, bang*
"Hey Salvatore if your ass is not out of there in 5 minutes I'm breaking down this door." This time it was Broderick. Stefan knew he couldn't stand a chance in his weakened state even with the bag of blood he was feed wouldn't help as he recalled reliving himself of its contents in the toilet just a minute ago. Finally pulling himself together he opened the door spotting Tes's snickering face as she leaned against the wall. "Let me guess you were trying to collect your feelings. " She mocked in turn he just huffed at her before heading back to the living room.
The place looked as if it was just purchased not a through cushion out of place, the once destroyed coffee table was now brand new with the pristine vases that didn't have one crack in them were adorned on top. "Well you clean up nicely." He muttered
Tes just huffed as she came around him "No thanks to you Steffy, if Klaus wasn't insistent about keeping you alive I would have killed you hours ago." Stefan was about to comeback with a snarky comment when he spotted a black Great Dane lounging on the floor. He instantly recalled Klaus walking in with the huge beast along with Dom holding a small carrying cage. Looking up as he spotted the cage rested on the counter top. "Since when does Klaus keep pets?" He questioned eyeing the two lackeys lounging comfortably on the sofa watching the Giants. "Don't know, don't really care just don't mess with his stuff." Broderick said as he came from the kitchen handing him a beer as he made his way to sit next to the others. The black Great Dane just raised his head and gruffed at being referred to as stuff. Kneeling down to the beast their eyes locked, "Yo Brod, check it out." One of the lackeys said nodding over to Stefan. Clicking his tongue at the vampire lack of direction he turned his eyes back to the game. "Let him get in trouble, it be either the dog or Klaus that bites him."
Stefan and dog eyed each other up and down but he didn't growl at first. Only when Stefan moved his hand in closer did the dog's snout wrinkle and ears narrow as he growled. This caused Stefan to stop and he waited patiently. Tes watched intently from the sideline's waiting to get a good kick if the dog decided to just attack him, but their tango was taking far too long before she gave another huff and plopped down right next to the guys and started trying to flirting.
After a while the dog growls died down before it raised its head up to Stefan out reached fingers. Giving a quick sniff, the dog sat hesitantly wondering if this man could be trusted. As he pulled his head back he looked up at the man curiously, he eyes were vacant but the dog saw the hint of sincerity. Leaning forward again the door gave a low whine before licking the extended fingers. Stefan smiled at the gesture as dog gave him a lick of approval. He went forward to pat the dog's head feeling the soft smooth texture of its fur. He smile widened as he heard the constant thump of the dogs tail smack against the hard wood floor in approval.
The constant thumping managed to jar the attention of the game away from the goons. "Well ain't that a bitch." Broderick said as he rose from his seat and sauntered over to Stefan. "I don't get it, that mutt tries to bite me and then goes soft for Salvatore." Tes hissed as she eyed the pair.
"Maybe that dog can sense that you're a bitch. I know I sure as hell can." One said as he fingered the beer nonchalantly causing his other companion to snicker. Tes eye's just narrowed at the snickering fool, "Oh light'n up Tes it's a joke. Beside I see you as more of a cat lady." This caused the goons both to laugh at the parody.
"Well then Salvatore I guess we can place you on dog duty, when were out scouring the city looking for the demon bitch." Broderick said as he broke the bonding moment of the pair; the dog just growled at the intruder which soon caused the cat that laid dormant in it cage to start hissing. Stefan placed a comforting hand on the dog's chest to calm down his growls as he glared up at Broderick. "Don't you have a game to watch?" He countered causing the sick twisted grin to spread on Broderick face as he turned and headed back to the couch. Stefan petted the dog till his growls wavered before it turned to look at him. The dog leaned over and licked his face which caused the young Salvatore to smile. As he petted the dog he felt the rough texture of a band and the jingle of metal. Looks like your master had the decency to give you a name, he though as he fingered silver bone name tag.
His eye frowned as he spotted the little deep green crystal embedded in the four corners of the bone tag. Quite feminine for Klaus's character; he eyed the name.
Airon
Larissa Brighton
33rd Leonard Street, NY
558-6786
Who the hell is Larissa Brighton Stefan though frowning as he memorized the name? "So your name is Airon, what a unique name." He muttered as he turned his attention back on to the dog. "That's why I picked it Salvatore." Stefan immediately froze, turning swiftly to see the original glaring down at him. Upon hearing his name Airon moved from around Stefan and went over to his master nudging his hand and wagging his tail as his master gave him a light pat.
"Dom, inform everyone of tonight's plan while I have a word with Mr. Salvatore."Klaus never took his eyes off of Stefan. Turning he didn't wait for the young vampire to follow him as he lead him back down to his office. Holding the office door open he waited as Stefan slip by him before closing the door, "It would seem you don't lack valor Stefan." Klaus moved from behind Stefan to his desk taking a seat in office chair as he raised his hand for him to take a seat as well. Hesitant at first Stefan cautiously took a see on the white plush sofa. Klaus smirked as he caught the agitation pouring off of him in waves. In hailing the pleasant smell of fear he closed his eyes at the thrilling feeling. Yet once he opened them were they no longer those light blue hues, but molten bright pools of gold. "I can smell anxiety come off you Stefan, there's nothing for you to fear yet. I'm just surprised that you managed to befriend my pet with such ease…. You see Airon doesn't let the other go anywhere near him to the point as to touch him, yet you have."
"So what's your point?" Stefan's eyes narrowed as he watched as Klaus casually asses his actions, there was some catch here, he knew. Might as well get the pain and over with now rather than later, he figured. "My point is that you got so close to my dog that you were able to not only read his name tag but something else as well, would you care to share what you've found."
Stefan remained silent for a while turning to look at the closed door. If Klaus wanted him to reveal the information on the dog tag, why not in front of the other's why beyond close doors? Couldn't they still hear them? Klaus chuckled as he caught the hesitant look of Stefan as his eyes shifted back and forth between him and the door. "You see this here," Klaus held up a crystallized paper weight from of his desk, "This stone, was casted with a silencing spell by one of my other witches. You see as long as we occupy this room I could do so much as torture you as slowly and painfully as possible, taking pleasure in every agonizing scream you make and no one beyond these walls will even hear you."
"So tell me what did you find out?" He asked narrowing his eyes at the young vampire. Stefan in return narrowed his eyes at the original. "Why do I need to tell you, my guess is you already know."
Chuckling Klaus slouched back in his chair, "You're clever Salvatore, you see the name on the tag is just a informality, an alias really you see that dog of mine wanders off from time to time and in New York if you're going to have a pet that can move around the city, that pet needs a name tag."
Stefan sunk back into the sofa in a daze before leaning forward as he resting his elbows on his knee's he licked his lips. "So Larissa Brighton is the best you could come up with," He chuckled, "You know what I think? I think you're full of crap."
"How so?"
"You could've told me this in front of everyone, but no, you instead tell me this in your office where no one can hear. I get the feeling that this so called alias of yours is real and she's walking around New York right now, this very instant and you're protecting her." He replied smugly
"You know what they say about curiosity Salvatore, it killed the cat." Klaus said he was gritting the words through his teeth. He was a fool to bring the pets to the penthouse, he never expected anyone to get so close to them that they could make out the name tag. He even made sure the tag's green crystal made it impossible for other vampire's to view it from far away. Evie could be in danger now because of this error and it seemed his blunder was backfiring. He had to act quickly and with great speed he thrust Stefan against the wall grabbing a hold on his jaw he stared straight in to the vampire's eyes.
"You will forget the name tag and any information on it. I told you the dog's name nothing more." He compelled. "I remember nothing," Stefan repeated, nodding at him Klaus patted the side of his face before escorting him back to the living room. "Well my lovelies, I'm off for the evening. Be sure to keep an eye on our boy we can't have him running off no can we." Klaus said accepting the leash from Dom as his companion carried the cat cage in the other. Not bothering to for a reply they both left the penthouse. "You nearly put Evelyn in danger." Dom said as the elevator rode down. Sighing Klaus rain his fingers through his hair before turning his eyes to glare at the man. "I'm aware of that, but it's covered up so there shouldn't be any problem. "
Sighing Dom just shook his head, "You gamble too much with life, if I didn't know how you really felt for Evelyn I would suspect you were gambling with her life."
"I'm may keep your company close Dom but I can easily dispose of it. So I suggest you tread carefully on how you speak." Klaus hissed as his eyes returned to the number screen. No sooner were they back in the lobby, "Did you call for my car?" Klaus said as they made their way to the roundabout, "Called right as you left to have you little tit for tat with Stefan."
"It wasn't any sort of tit for tat just a warning," Klaus said as he accepted the keys from the valet. Dom opened the passenger door and sat your Eudora cage down and reached across and gave Airon a pat on his head. "You keep you master in check, wouldn't want your other master to worry." He said
"You so amusing Dom, I almost forgot to laugh." Klaus said over the engine, "Just keep me posted on our little runaway."
"You just enjoy your night with Evelyn, something tells me you're going to need more time with her than ever." Klaus narrowed his eyes at Dom's choice of words. The vampire was only a hundred years younger than him when he was turned, yet he acted like a mage from time to time. It was one of the reasons why he put him in charge of his bio- research company. Just as he was about to pull off he flinched at the whispered sound of Dom's words. No one could hear the low depth in which they were muttered but as Klaus stared at his ally's retreating back as it began to plague him. Like a record that continuously skipped back over and over again.
"You'll need to keep that wolf blood of yours in check. At least for her sake."
A/N: Hello reader's once again. I'm glad I was able to draw some of your attention on to this story a spike your curiosity. Your words of praise have me almost finished with the third chapter and I know your all waiting to see were the climax of this story is going to be and I don't want you to know just yet. Theese next couple chapter I want to rival a calm before a storm before all hell brakes lose.