Chapter 3

{~No POV~}

The champagne glasses were filled, silk drapes that fell from the third floor to the first floor decorated the compound, red roses filling the first floor and an ice sculpture placed right in-between the dance floor. Vampires, and humans mixing among themselves, masks of all colors and shapes. The ball was lively, the only thing missing were the people the Mikaelson's had been waiting for. Through the entrance of the compound, a man no older than mid-fifties came into the ball. Six guards by his side, among vampires of his own clan.

Vlad had slipped off to the side with Elizabeth under the orders on Henry, the less disturbance the better. Henry approached the two Mikaelson's brothers."Niklaus Mikaelson and Elijah Mikaelson, What can I make your acquaintance for?"

Elijah stopped Klaus from speak, taking a glass of champagne."Can we not have a lovely chat, now tell me, Henry. What are you here in New Orleans for? Elizabeth's body was cremated."

Henry's expression disengaged without much emotion."Private matters, I'm very sorry for your loss. As naive as you think I am, there's more to your sudden interest."

Klaus smirked, mischievously."Your vampire prince, I want to know why he's here."

"Vlad, he's here for personal matters. To protect my progenitor, as you see I'm here to protect my beneficiary from dangerous lurking."

"The king has an heiress?"Every bit of sarcasm in Klaus's voice."How does someone so old produce children?"

Henry patted Klaus's shoulder."You'll be amazed soon enough, hybrid."He left them their standing, tonight he would show the world his legacy.

{~Bloom's POV~}

I left Vlad for a while, walking around the area. Henry had not told me why we were here in the first place, how did he know these vampires. I reached for the glass of champagne, I felt another hand on it. It was a dark skinned man with broad shoulders and a defined jawline, even under the mask he seemed handsome.

"My apologies."

The man instantly lets go of the cup, there was something lingering behind his dark eyes."Are you from here?"

I shook my head. Keeping my distance from the mysterious man."I'm from Romania, I came here with Henry. New Orleans is certainly beautiful, are you from here?"

He nods, a smile on his lips."Yes, born and raised. The name is Marcel Gerard."

I bowed my head, a small smile on my lips."Lovely name."His smile fell immediately, the moment was cut short by Vlad.

"Shall we dance?"Vlad stretched his own hand to me, I accepted it. There was still something wrong about that man, the way he looked at me. I glanced back at him for a second, he was no longer there.

I was pulled into the dance floor, the way Vlad's hand held me made me feel protected. Everything about this man had made me feel as if I had known him from so long ago, I should not feel this comfortable with someone I barely knew. He twirled me, making me feel weightless. He pulled me back into his arms, placing his hand on my waist.

Vlad broke a mischievous grin."You're quite the dancer."

I laughed, I really wasn't the best dancer."It's all you, my dancing skills are flawed."

"Or perhaps you have found the right partner."He smiled, looking straight into my eyes.

I gave him a look."Your charming ways lack, prince of the dragons."

He leaned to my ear, his breath against my ear."I'm no longer a prince."

I couldn't help but wonder, what he had been like before he turned into a vampire. How was he with his wife? his son. There too many questions I should ask yet, I should not.

"Mind if I step in?"

I glanced to my right, the same man from before. Vlad let go of my hand, I took the man's open hand."Of course not."He left me here with a stranger, waltzing. The man slid his hand to my lower back, a small smile on his lips.

"Now tell me, Selene, why impersonate someone dead?"His voice became dangerously low.

How did he know Selene? I frowned."How do you know Selene? Why are you calling me Selene?"

His grip tightens on my wrist, his eyes getting darker by the second."You're a great actress, do you really think the Mikaelson's and I would be fooled by your display?"

"My name is not Selene."I snapped, pulling my hand back."I'm Elizabeth Saltzman, I don't who you're. But I am Elizabeth if that's clear enough for you."

"Elizabeth…"He murmured to himself, shocked. He shook his head, the way he said it was as if he knew me."You're Elizabeth?"

"Yes, now if-"

Vlad grabbed my arm gently, his lips leaning against my ear."We must leave now, witches are here."

I pulled away from the man named Marcel, taking Vlad's arm. We left immediately back to the mansion, for whatever reason I felt as if people were after me.

The days that came after, felt like hours instead of days. Especially in the mansion, at least I had Vlad most of the time with me. Although lately he's been putting some sort of wall between us as if he didn't want my presence. Going out today had been a great idea, the day was rather cloudy for a place known to be sunny.

I walked around the French Quarter for a while, enjoying the stores that it offered. I found that famous beignet place the sales lady had told me about, on my way there. There was a man dressed in a suit, dark hair and eyes to match.

The man was first to speak up, curiosity in his eyes as he approached me."Pardon me, you remind me of someone I knew."His eyes looked me up and down."May I ask what's your name?"

I grimace, frighten by his boldness."Elizabeth, I'm here exploring New Orleans. I've never been here."I said to the man." well if you'll excuse me I must leave."

He grasped my hand out of nowhere, I tensed glaring at the man."Why don't you accompany me for a cup of coffee, it seems you're new here. Friends are always welcomed."

I didn't know if I should trust or not, all I knew was running away like a coward would only bring attention. I bit my lip, not wanting to make a scene I agreed."That would be lovely."

We walked toward the cafe not far from us, sitting down on the closest table. The way he stared at me, made me even more nervous. He slid the cup of coffee across the table for me, I didn't want to be here with a stranger.

He fixed his sleeves, placing his arms on the table."I've not introduced myself to you, I'm Elijah Mikaelson."

He was one of the vampires Henry went to see, I nodded."Elijah Mikaelson?"

"An Original vampire, along with my siblings I'm first of my kind."

I gave him a small smile."Henry warned me about you. About your intentions with Vlad."

He shook his head, rolling up his sleeves."My intentions with the prince, are no worse than anyone else's. I believe family comes first, don't you?"

"I wouldn't know, my family is dead and the rest did not care for me."

Elijah stared deep into my eyes, gently nodding."I can tell you are a very loyal friend," He said."I wish no harm on you."

Not far from where we were seated Vlad was standing there waiting for me, his eyes never leaving Elijah's actions.

I stood up abruptly, no longer comfortable with the conversation."Thank you for the coffee, I must leave."

Seeing as Vlad was standing by a gift shop waiting for me, I had an excuse to escape this man.

I walked toward Vlad, there was a smile on his lips."Friends of yours?"

I shook my head, delighted by his company."No, why are you here? I thought you no longer wanted my company."

He chuckled, link his arm with mine."Never."We walked straight to another street."You look lovely today, blue suits you very well."

"Fresh color to the dark colors of the mansion, getting tired of the black."

Disclaimer: I do not own WC or any of the characters involved.

Sorry for the late update, and for that I will be updating next week Wednesday for you guys. Anyway enjoy this chapter, and sorry for the slow chapter. Read and Review!