Sire
(The Vampire Rules)

Sire (noun): A respectful form of address for someone of high social status, especially a king; a father or other male forebear.

Sire (verb): To beget; procreate as the father.

Chapter 8: Hopes and Complications

The Journal of Elijah Mikelson:

I knew moving to New Orleans would be a challenging transition mostly due to the existing vampire colony. Teaching animals to behave in a civilized manner is never easy. But I never anticipated the personal complications; the news of a Mikelson baby has certainly shaken me to my core. It's joyous news for sure, but it's also turned reality on its head. Now, there's a future to look forward to; a real reason for everything I've been doing for the last millennium. Establishing a structured, safe society for the child to join when it's born is more crucial than ever.

But if I'm honest, and I can be with you journal, there is another reason for my current anxiety. I have had many lovers over the centuries and each has been special to me in their own way. I have never cared much for meaningless sexual encounters, although truthfully I have had my share of those as well. The last paramour I truly loved was a French beauty named Celeste. We had an intense romance but it was not without its difficulties. The constant compulsion I employed to make her forget I was a vampire took its toll on her mental state. She became paranoid and convinced herself that I was trying to drive her insane. She finally succumbed to the torment and took her own life. That was over 200 years ago and I have not had feelings like that for any female since, until possibly now.

Hayley is carrying my brother's child, but it is clear there is no love or even friendship between them. Even so, I will not pursue her without first discussing it with him. And perhaps she feels nothing for me and my attention would be unwelcome. But I did sense something quite strong on her part as well, didn't I?


The Mikelson Compound
Elijah's Study, The Following Morning

"…and be certain to communicate the rules to all your night walkers, Marcel. See Trevor for copies of them and distribute them as you deem necessary."

Elijah continued a long dissertation of what Marcel must do next. Marcel listened intently and nodded his head without interrupting. "And you," Elijah looked at his brother, "you keep an eye on all the vampires and make sure they're falling in line."

"And if they're not?" Klaus asked, already knowing the answer.

"Punish them as you see fit," Elijah said, eliciting a broad smile from his sibling. "Excellent!" was Klaus' happy retort.

"You don't have to enjoy the prospect so much," Marcel commented. Elijah raised his eyebrows at the impertinence but didn't say anything. Niklaus could handle his relationship with Marcel himself.

Klaus wasn't offended by Marcel's statement; he didn't much care what anyone said. But he cared very much about their actions. "If you don't mind brother," he looked at Elijah for approval to continue and Elijah gave it with a nod of his head. "One thing you must make very sure of, Marcel," he told his progeny, "isthat your vampires understand Hayley is a member of this family now. She is under our protection and must be treated with respect. If anyone so much as looks at her wrongly they will answer to me."

"And to me," Elijah added. Klaus smiled at him, thankful for the support.

Marcel then asked them both, "Is there anything else?"

"Yes. Besides Hayley being off limits, there are to be no further actions taken against any of the werewolves, or the witches for that matter, without my orders. From what I hear you've done enough damage on those fronts." Elijah stated. Marcel didn't much like his last comment, or the order, but he kept his silence. Elijah's display of power with Diego was not lost on Marcel. And Marcel also knew what Klaus was capable of. "You are dismissed," Elijah told him. Marcel bowed his head and then left the room.

Elijah waited for the door to close and then commented to Klaus, "Trevor told me the night walkers were quite the bunch of rabble. It might be difficult for Marcel to control them."

Klaus shrugged. "Not to worry, brother. If he can't, I will, or I'll just kill them all."

Elijah smiled. "This is much easier with you here, brother."

Klaus asked, "Even though I brought along quite the responsibility?"

Elijah shook his head. "She's not a responsibility, she's our future and I'm grateful you've brought her. And actually, I wanted to speak with you about Hayley…"


Rebekah visited Hayley in one of the extra bedrooms where she'd spent the night. "I wish Nik had given us more notice you were coming with him, I would have done this room up for you."

Hayley looked around. "The room is fine thanks."

"Sleep OK?" Rebekah asked. "Yes fine," Hayley replied.

Rebekah sat on the bed and faced Hayley who was sitting up but still under the covers. "So, what's the story with you and my brother anyway? Was it really just one drunken roll in the sheets? Not that I'm condemning you for that. Lord knows I've bloody well had my share!"

"That's all it was," Hayley told her. "We can hardly stand each other actually. Your brother is…"

"A pain in the arse," Rebekah finished the sentence for her and then they both laughed. "Of course," Rebekah continued, "my other brother, Our King, is anything but a pain." She kept her eyes locked with Hayley's, trying to gauge her reaction and saw them soften.

"Elijah seems quite different than Klaus," Hayley commented, her voice softer too.

"They're like night and day," Rebekah elaborated. "Nik is selfish, Elijah is self-sacrificing. Nik is impulsive, Elijah is measured. Nik is often violent, Elijah tries to restrain himself."

Hayley interjected, "So what was that we walked in on yesterday?"

"I said he tries to restrain himself; he isn't always successful at it."


Later that day, Hayley sought out Elijah's manservant. "Yes Madam, how may I assist you?" he politely inquired.

"Well first you can just call me 'Hayley," she replied. "You don't need to be so formal with me."

"As you wish," Trevor answered out loud, but inwardly noted to check with the Lord Niklaus as to the proper way to address the mother of his child.

"And second," Hayley continued, "do you have a calendar I can look at?"

"Certainly," Trevor replied leading her into Elijah's study; The Originals were all away from the compound. "Are you looking backwards or forwards?" he asked, not wanting to show her what was written on the previous weeks of his Sire's datebook.

"I'm just interested in the next few days," Hayley told him. He opened the book to the current week. She glanced at it and took note of the full moon arriving in two nights. Then, she noticed a few notations in the section from the previous day: "Move into family home; Address vampires; N arrived; Met H."

Trevor saw the same entry and studied Hayley's face. She seemed quite pleased Elijah had made a point of marking the date they'd met. She stared at it for a moment and then thanked Trevor for his help. He closed the datebook and then left the study with her. As she walked away, he thought about how long it had been since his Sire had a female companion that was more than a quick sexual encounter. Seeing Elijah happy was something Trevor often wished for.

Back in her room Hayley made plans. "If the full moon is tomorrow night," she told herself, "I must find my pack tonight." Since it appeared none of the Original Vampires were around, it was a good time to leave the compound and start the search. She gathered some supplies and left her room. After another quick conversation with Trevor to obtain the keys to any available car… "I'm going to search for my family"…she headed out.


"Let's round up the night walkers tonight and go," Thierry told Diego. They were in Thierry's car discussing plans to raid the Bayou where the Crescent Wolves, or what was left of them, currently lived.

"I'm not sure it's a good idea," Diego replied.

Thierry griped, "After what he did to you? We have no power here anymore, but we still rule over the wolves, and I'm gonna damn well let them know it!"