Chapter 4: A Promise To Be Kept
"It was bound to come out at some point. They have spent many days not speaking to one other," Freya told Cami as she finished drawing her a hot bath. "Here is a towel and a nightgown for you to wear. I found it in Rebekah's closet."
Giving her a weary attempt at a smile, Cami was grateful. "As long as it isn't too revealing. I'm kind of a modest girl compared to what I've seen her wear before."
Freya smiled at her. "I like you, Cami. You bring a sense of balance to this house. You belong here."
"Well, that's very kind of you to say, Freya, but after what I just witnessed…"
"They will work things out. They always have, from what I've been told."
Cami nodded. "Klaus has become…a complication for me. I just don't know if I can help him anymore."
"You've been able to do what no one else has: you've earned his trust."
"In exchange for my own sanity, my own peace of mind," she sighed, feeling exhausted.
"He needs you. Don't give up on him," she closed the door to the large, opulent bathroom as she left. Cami carefully took off her clothing and sat down in the bathtub. The water instantly relaxed her and she could smell some sort of herbal mix that included the essence of lavender. It was as if the lingering effects of the unknown drug Richard had used on her simply melted away as she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply…
Klaus walked down the hall and saw Freya exiting the bathroom. "How is she?"
"I did as you asked. I mixed a potion of herbs to cancel the effects of the poison in her body. She should feel completely relaxed about now."
"Have you made the arrangements with Hayley and the wolves?"
"Yes, they will be summoned here tomorrow to guard Hope while you are gone."
"Well, I better start preparing for my excursion."
"Do you even know where you are going?"
"That is where I will need your assistance, Freya." He pulled out the bracelet that he took from Richard. "I need you to use one of your handy spells to find out where this Green Serpent Guild is hiding."
She held the bracelet in her hand, examining it carefully. "I will do this for you, Klaus, but I want to make one thing clear. As much as I want to be a part of this family, I will not allow you to abuse my powers for your own needs or take advantage of my willingness to help take care of this household."
Klaus leaned towards her in a menacing fashion. "Is that what you think I am doing? Well, I hate to tell you this, but I am the master of this home and I am the one that allows you to stay here and earn your way into our family. It was my plan that freed you from our crazy aunt and I do expect you to show your gratitude by assisting me whenever I demand it."
Freya looked as if she wanted to lash out at him, but held her tongue. She closed her eyes, chanted, and began the spell on the bracelet. After a few moments, she revealed, "Canada. In the northern part of Quebec. Look for a hidden doorway on the mountainside. The bracelet will guide you."
Klaus took it back. "Thank you, Sister. You are becoming more and more valuable to me every day." He grinned at her as she scowled at him. He walked into the library and found Elijah, reading. "Elijah, is there anything more that you should tell me before I leave?"
Elijah continued to stare at his book. "Yes, Niklaus. I do believe your instincts are correct. It is not a coincidence that Richard was chosen to obtain the Ascendant from Camille. I've discovered some tidbits of her family history that I don't think even she is aware of."
"Tell me everything," Klaus sat down in front of his brother, bracing himself for what he suspected would be devastating news.
Elijah finally looked up at Klaus. "Her ancestors were part of the Gemini coven, which dates back to the mid 1700's. She is descended from a twin that managed to escape the ill fate of the Merge. I do have reason to believe that Camille may have been discovered because of her heritage. Father Kieran must have known and kept it a secret from her."
"Camille is a twin. Her brother died from a hex," Klaus replied. The possible implications began to run through his mind, causing him to develop strong suspicions of a conspiracy.
"You and I both know there is more to uncover, Niklaus. But I must ask: I've never known you to go to such great lengths to uncover something that clearly doesn't pose a threat to you. You went to extremes to alienate your family for the sake of your child, and now, you are ready to abandon Hope for however long to uncover this mystery. I want to hear you tell me why."
Clenching his jaw, Klaus replied, through semi-gritted teeth as he stood up, "Despite our differences, I trust you and Freya with my daughter's life. Hope will be surrounded by the Crescent Wolves. She is no longer a target. I have a network of spies all over the world, some of which you are not even aware of. I have taken precautions for my daughter's safety."
Elijah stood to meet his gaze. "Again, Niklaus. Why?"
Klaus paused before answering. "For Camille."
"You are infatuated with her," Elijah said, almost accusingly.
"She took risks for my plan to work. I promised I would make it up to her. Nothing more."
"Yet you accuse me of being romantically inept," he said with disdain.
"She was not the one who stabbed me in the heart," he replied coldly. "She stood by my side, where you should have been." His voice cracked with emotion as he struggled to hide the pain of betrayal, which still felt like a fresh wound to him.
"As usual, Niklaus, it's all about your pain, your betrayal. What about what you did to me? Does that not matter in the least to you?" Elijah's quivering voice displayed his own heartbreak.
Klaus took a deep breath. "You forced my hand by not trusting me in the first place."
"You didn't give me good reason to trust you! When are you going to understand that?" Elijah sighed, giving up the argument. "We are all very well aware of your feelings for Camille. Deny it if you wish, but as the brother that has often been by your side, I still wish to see you happy." He began to leave the room, but stopped in the doorway. "Be cautious, Niklaus. The Green Serpent Guild is not to be trifled with."
"Your concern is duly noted," he replied quietly.
Cami finished her bath, dried off, and put on Rebekah's nightgown. It was an old-fashioned cotton gown that fit her perfectly and covered everything she wanted covered. She walked down the hallway and heard Elijah and Klaus discussing something serious. As she approached the library, Elijah was leaving. If he saw her, he didn't pay her any attention. She stopped at the doorway and saw Klaus with his back to her. Clearing her voice, she called his name.
He turned slightly. "You may come in, Cami."
She walked around him so she could face him. He gave her a hint of a smile as he looked her up and down. "I think that nightgown suits you. Rebekah only wore it once."
"Well, she has a lot more to offer than I do." She closed her eyes at her faux pas. "Oh, that didn't come out right."
"You speak the truth, as you see it. That's what I like about you, so there is nothing to apologize for. My sister was always so desperate for love that she would use any of her assets to gain a man's attention."
"Rebekah's very beautiful – both versions, of course."
"So are you," he stated, matter-of-factly. He stepped closer to her and the particles of energy between the two began to ignite. Caressing her cheek as he did so often, he leaned in ever so slightly as he continued, "I told you before that I would fight all the demons of hell for you, and that very well may come to pass."
Worried, Cami stared at him. "Then why are you going?"
"I have reason to believe you are in danger."
Her eyes grew wide as she stepped away from his touch. "You think this Green Serpent Guild is going to come after me, don't you? They want that Ascendant."
"Yes. I need to get to them first."
"Well, maybe they will pick another one of my childhood friends to try and take it from me while you're gone!" Cami couldn't help but try and find some humor in the situation.
"Well, I pity the poor sap that would even try," he said with a glimmer of teasing in his eye.
"Damn straight! Who do they think their messing with?" she replied, feeling both serious and cheeky at the same time. "You know the old saying – fool me once, shame on them, fool me twice, shame on me."
Klaus was amused at Cami's attempts at being brave, but she had no idea what dangers were in her future. "They now know that I am involved. Therefore, they would be taking a great risk to make a move on you when you are under my protection. I must be able to slip out of town quietly so I don't arouse any suspicion."
"Is that what I'm doing here? Being under your protection?" she stood closer to him and rekindled the electricity between the two. "Or is it more than that? You tell me."
Klaus started to speak, but found himself tongue-tied as she took him off guard. "Camille, I…"
"What are we, Klaus? What is this connection we have – just friends?"
The way she looked at him with a yearning for more gave Klaus a sense of discomfort. He still did not enjoy talking about his feelings. "Yes, we are friends but..."
"Could it be more than that?"
He pressed his lips together before speaking, unsure of how to respond. "I don't know what this is. Does it need to be anything right now?"
"For both our sakes, we need to figure this thing out sooner or later. I was ready to move on without you. I tried to have something with Marcel, but that didn't work out. I tried to live a normal life, but then the Guerrera werewolves took over and I had to get involved with you again. Then, I had the audacity to think I could have a nice, normal date with one of my old friends! Now, I suddenly find myself sleeping under your roof! I can't get you out of my life. Something always brings me back to you."
He began thinking of the fury he felt when he learned she had slept with Marcel. Then, seeing her with Richard caused him even more anger. When she wasn't around, he found himself missing her. Suddenly, the realization came to him that he didn't want her out of his life. Ever. "Perhaps being with me is where you belong."
He leaned towards her, then gently stroked her jawline with the back of his hand, brushing her lips with his thumb. She closed her eyes in response as the tension became heightened. Sensing that she wanted to be kissed, he approached her carefully, then stopped as he heard the sound of footsteps.
"Oh, I see I am intruding again," Elijah announced as he entered the room.
Klaus responded, annoyed, "Yes, you've become rather good at that as of late."
Cami opened her eyes, still quivering inside with anticipation. She stared at Klaus, who still had a look in his eyes that told her he was pissed that a potential moment of bliss was taken from him.
"Forgive me, but Freya has retired for the evening and she asked me to give this to you," Elijah looked at Klaus and held out a necklace to him that looked like a leather strap with a few dangling crystals. "She wants you to wear this. It should help conceal your presence, as long as you restrain yourself from unnecessary activities that would attract attention."
Klaus accepted it and put it on. "She's a rather pro-active witch. I like that. I think we should keep her," he smiled, somewhat proudly.
The therapist in Cami rejoiced inside at seeing Klaus learning to accept his sister into his family. Giving up on the hope of a first kiss with Klaus, she looked at both men and said, "Well, Gentleman, I am ready to retire for the evening, too. Good night."
"Good night, Cami," Elijah nodded, respectfully.
"I would like to walk you to your room," Klaus told her, sounding more commanding than he intended.
She smiled and held out her hand. He took it and they walked out of the room together. They walked down the hall slowly, in silence, simply enjoying each other's presence. Once they reached her room, she asked, "Will I see you in the morning?"
Klaus responded, very serious, "No. I will be gone before you wake."
"This is you trying to keep your promise to me, isn't it?"
"That depends on how this turns out, I'm afraid."
"Please be careful." She stared at him for a moment, then she threw her arms around him and hugged him, just like the night she had seen Mikael for the first time. She felt him put his arms around her and return the embrace fully, which he had not done before.
When they released each other, Klaus said, "When I return, I want to take you out to dinner."
Blinking a few times in surprise, Cami responded, "Are you…asking me out on a date?"
"I believe I am, yes," he replied, looking very serious.
She couldn't believe it and trying so hard to hide her excitement, she smiled and said, "I would love to have dinner with you. Call me."
Klaus smiled. "Farewell for now, Camille." He walked away, feeling what he thought was a glimpse of happiness, but he couldn't be sure.
Cami closed the door and settled into bed, grinning to herself that the hot guy with the cute accent just asked her out for the first time.