-10-

"So... You mean to say she..." Kol muttered, voicing his thoughts every now and then.

I was sat in the back of the car with Aurora, finding it difficult to suppress my laughter after Klaus had informed Kol of Ethel's 'transformative' powers.

"To be fair mate, she did warn you," Klaus replied, a smirk on his face.

Kol scoffed loudly, "Since when has that ever stopped me!"

I heard another heavy sigh leave his mouth before he twisted in his seat to glare over his shoulder at me.

"Are you going to turn into a Grandma too?"

I couldn't help the brief laugh escaping my lips, his question was meant to be a joke but it seemed too genuine and there was a gleam of concern in his eyes- it didn't seem like Kol was used to being deceived.

Kol spent a few more minutes of the journey making strange strangled noises but gradually he stopped and a quiet conversation took place between the two brothers.

Aurora had received a doll from Ethel that replicated every part of Aurora, although it wasn't life-like I wondered if it would come alive at some point and start to talk (it was something I would expect Ethel to do).

She stroked the dolls hair with one hand and used the other to play with my sleeve, her breathing was getting heavier and I knew she would be asleep soon.

God, sleep! Although I'd been blacking out a lot it wasn't exactly restful nor restorative.

I stared out the window, looking at the passing buildings and groups of people, the sun was high in the sky but it was still bitterly cold.

When I'd asked Klaus where we were going he made a vague comment about re-grouping and I knew that a certain someone would be in that group.

My teeth clenched at the thought of seeing Glory, the witch who ratted me out and could barely protect a child. My grip hardened slightly on Aurora's doll. From the corner of my eye I saw Klaus glance towards me with concern and I realised he was sensing my aggression. I attempted to think of calming thoughts, throwing Gloria through a window, seeing Gloria cry in pain... These thoughts brought a sense of calm like no other and soon he turned away.

We must had been driving for 3 hours before we finally reached what looked like the country side, it was later in the afternoon now and Aurora had been drifting in and out of sleep. I began to shift in my seat as preparation. There could be anything waiting outside these car doors, any type of threat; Aurora seemed to sense my tension and began to sit up also.

"Ah, home sweet home," Kol sighed, stretching his arms and flicking through his phone simultaneously.

It made me think about my own phone, where did all my things go after that night?

"They're all in the house," she smiled.

I cringed a little, forgetting that Aurora could hear my thoughts – that was not a great survival tactic.

"And how do you know that?" I smirked, tilting my head to look at her beside me.

"I can hear the lady inside," she whispered, "she seems really worried."

I quickly glanced outside, my brows furrowed, nothing but trees for miles! Where was she hearing this voice from? As though I was missing some hilarious joke Aurora began to giggle.

"It's right there silly!"

I'm about to ask Klaus if we need to get Aurora's eyes tested when the car stops, Klaus opens a leather panel on the side of his door, presses a switch and turns to Kol simply continuing their conversation about some type of investment deal.

A mansion suddenly materialises in front of the car, the bording school type building I'd already seen once. The night I thought my life would end, I can only imagine the hilarious look upon my gave as Aurora giggles even louder. I glare at her mockingly and begin to plan my revenge with some type of vicious tickling, she almost looks worried.

"OK Loves, let's get you settled before we meet everyone." Klaus doesn't seem too happy about the latter part which makes me even more anxious. I feel like reminding him our emotions are connected but he's already left the car with Kol.

The house was bigger than I remembered, I make a note of the large garden surrounded by a forest and the one entrance which only opened after scanning the brothers' faces. If we needed to flee the forest would be good coverage. Aurora seemed to watch as I made a mental map, she seemed to copy as she looked around quickly. A small smile lined my lips as I continued.

Inside I noted the amount of rooms (six) and the stairs that led to two more floors. Multiple escape routes also meant lots of possible entries. I sensed a range of presences but knew there was only one major threat and I could feel he was more anxious than ready to start a fight.

What had made him turn into a nervous teenager all of a sudden?

I began wandering away from the brothers to take a closer look at the room to the right, the only room that seemed to lead into the garden, this would be the best escape chance if anyone was to...

"That man is thinking of attacking you if you go into the room," Aurora was on her tiptoes attempting to whisper but we both knew the 'man' could hear her.

The man she referred to was some type of guard, in a black suit and tie three others of his type stood around. I ignored them as I entered, they were werewolves: great, but not a threat.

With my new found strength I'd love to see him try but attacking me would leave Aurora open to attack- I couldn't have that.

I divert my vision directly at the man in question, my fingers tense as I take a step forward. His eyes linger upon me, scrutinising my every move- possibly assessing the best way to take me out. I did the same.

"I see you've met my head of security," Klaus was suddenly beside me, his hand gripping my elbow gently as a warning.

I take the hint and stay put, whilst painfully ignoring the sensation his touch has- my blood screams in delight.

"Gale, this woman is a guest here and will be guarding Aurora- from future attacks that is." There was a slight bitterness hanging on his last words and it made me wonder how bad the last attack actually was.

The guard seemed slightly sheepish, his vision faltered for a moment before coming back full force, and not on me, "May I talk with you sir?" A pause and vicious glance towards me, "in private?"

Werewolves and their temper. But I couldn't blame him for seeing a threat, I was glad I still had that reaction towards some people.

Klaus seemed to think about this for a moment, he even rolled his eyes at me which narked the wolf even more.

"Clarissa," Klaus called, removing his touch finally, and a young woman appeared from the kitchen, a pile of clothes in hand, "would you please show our guests to their room."

Aurora's room was on the third floor, not ideal but I knew I could jump that height if I needed to. There was a small lake outside her window which trailed off into the forest, an ideal escape route and our scents would be covered...

"Would you like to see your room, Madam?"

'"My room?" I replied surprised, turning towards the girl, "Am I not staying in here?"

"Oh, well..." she bites her lip, "we placed you in the closest room, if that's OK?" She asked nervously, her anxiety is overwhelming, "would you like to take a look first? It is a lovely room Madam I'm sure you'd be happy there."

I wonder if she would get into trouble if I rejected the offer, is that why she's so on edge? Or is it because, even as a human, she can sense what I am?

Humans get that tingling sensation, the 'danger' sign that something isn't quite right. Good, I wasn't here to make friends.

The girl began to play with the corner of Aurora's bed quilt, she looked very young not long out of school. I silently analysed the room one more time.

"I won't be long," I smiled at Aurora, she nodded happily, already immersed in some animated programme.

If this was my room I didn't dare guess what the others were like.

A large poster bed dominated the room; satin, silk and fur was placed everywhere. A fire burned brightly directly opposite the bed and lit the room in a warm yet delicate light that made the bed look even more tempting.

My body began to feel heavy and ache at the thought.

I trailed behind the nervous girl as she continued to discuss every part of the room in painful detail. The Egyptian cotton sheets, the silk curtains from Italy, a bath that could fit a small family made from pure white marble, imported from Rome, and so on.

I nodded along politely but the bed held my unwavering attention.

Moments from asking the girl to leave another thought filtered in my mind, we stood in silence for a moment and that seemed to agitate her further. She began smoothing down her hair an excessive amount and kept glancing at the door. Why was a girl this nervous working for this family? More importantly, why was a human working for Klaus?

"Clarissa, can I asked you a question?" I tried to act causal, leaning upon the bed post.

"Of course Madam." She stopped playing with her hair.

"Why do you work here?"

She seemed caught off guard but not completely shocked, I doubt a guest had ever asked her such a question before but she probably expected it. "I'm not sure what you mean Madam, I..."

I invaded her personal space, one swift step and I'm forcing her back against the wall. Her heart begins to race, she opens her mouth- possibly to scream- but I have her sight locked with mine and I assume my persuasion abilities have improved much like my healing had.

"Are you forced to work here?"

"No." No hesitation, no uncertainty or worry upon her face. Her eyes soften and her jaw relaxes. Compulsion was such an easier way to communicate with humans.

I raised a brow, "Do you know what the family are?"

"Yes."

I frowned, "That does not worry you?"

"I was homeless, bad people were after me. The family took me in and gave me a home, a job and money," although there was no emotion in her voice her eyes began to water, "they saved me."

Well, I had never heard about this side of the family before. I slumped upon the bed and pulled her along, forcing her to sit besides me and not lose eye contact.

I take her hand in mine, I see the panic flicker behind her eyes, "Are you scared of me?"

"Yes." She almost sighs.

I close my eyes and nod my head for a moment, of course she's scared.

"Do you know about me, what I am?"

She simply nods this time.

"What is it, exactly, that scares you?"

A pause. She didn't want to answer this. I reposition myself slightly, ensuring I'm fully in her line of vision.

"Many things."

I almost laugh, me and you both, "Like?"

"You're unpredictable, you're strong and you're in charge of an innocent child," her eyes began to water once more, I assumed she could sense that the last point irritated me slightly, "some of the family are nervous too... They say..."

"Say what." It isn't a question, my command is harsh and clipped, her hand begins to tremble slightly.

"They say you could bring more danger, all the pain and hurt you've cause over the centuries could mean more danger and..."

Another god damn pause, I'm beginning to lose my patience.

"And." I grind my teeth together and put a slight pressure upon her hand.

"And they're worried that Master Klaus doesn't see that. They're worried that he has taken you on aboard without asking them, they're worry that he is blinded by you and doesn't see the real threat you bring to this household and everyone in it." She takes a deep needed breath.

I take one too, that was a lot of information in one sitting. I can see the worry etched upon her face, she had heard these things in passing conversation, they were said behind the scenes not to her.

"Relax," I command and watch her tense body begin to ease.

"I'm not here to cause or bring any trouble. I am here to protect that girl," I point to the room next door, "and you're right. I am dangerous, I will kill anything that gets in my way," I can see the fear in her eyes as she stares at me, "I will kill the whole family and, if I have to, I will kill you."

I gave her a moment to let that sink in, her breathing had become heavy and fear etched upon her face. I decided to change the topic.

"Do you like working here?"

"Yes." Her breathing begins to regulate.

"Why?" I'm genuinely curious now.

"The pay is very good, I get a lot of time to myself when the family aren't here, I feel safe and..." a pause.

I raise a brow, there isn't normally time to pause during compulsion when I'm asking such easy questions...

"And..." I pushed, was this it... was she going to tell me they force her to feed them or that they slaughtered her entire family?

"And Master Kol is very kind towards me... He is very," a sheepish smile escapes her lips, "very friendly with me and sometimes we..."

"OK! Let's end our little chat here," I physically cringe, I run a hand through my hair and pray I never need to compel Clarissa for that type of information again.

Clarissa gets to her feet but seems dazed and stares at me for a moment. I quickly tell her to forget everything I had asked and if she was questioned to tell them I had asked to be left alone to rest.

As she turned to leave she looked as though she would say something, the worry still etched between her brows but she isn't sure why. She shook her head, smiled and left.

I collapsed onto the bed and just led there, staring at the rich velvet dipping down from the ceiling.

I had already guessed I wasn't welcome, at least my thoughts had been confirmed. I wondered if Klaus was currently battling for my life downstairs, Kol making some inappropriate comment every now and then.

After lying in silence for a while I began to look over the room, it was a beautiful. I slowly ran my fingers across the thick fur throw next to me and watched the crackling fire.

I'd never had my own room before.

Memories of sleeping in what could be described as a closest in Darius' room flooded my memory. I had to be near him, always. If he went somewhere without telling me, I would be in physical pain until I could see him again- it was torture.

I claw the throw as the next memory springs to mind, Darius telling me to get into bed with him. Telling me it was for security reasons, that he would feel safer that way. I refused, I even punched him when he tried to compel me. The pain of that refusal shot through my body, I crawled into a ball waiting for the memory to pass.

"Love?" There's a heavy knock on the door, "Are you in pain?"

Of course he can feel this, I inhale slowly and force myself to sit up on the bed.

"I'm fine," I barely finish my sentence before he walks into the room.

The look of genuine concern upon his face makes my body hum in delight, it makes me feel disgusted that I suddenly feel so warm.

"If fine feels as though you've stabbed yourself in the chest with a hot poker then I don't want to be you when you're 'fine'," he smirks and my blood urges me to reply as he steps closer to the bed.

My body instantly relaxes, which infuriates me. I hate how his presence has this much impact.

He's still watching me, waiting for me to explain what all that was, I don't honestly want to tell him so I go for an easier confession.

"I've never had my own room before." And as I say the words I feel consumed with embarrassment, "I mean, I've stayed in rooms but I've never had an actual room with my things in and..."

I catch a small smile playing on his lips and I decide to stop talking. That was enough sharing for one day, let's change the topic.

"Your head of security is a friendly guy," I smirk, avoiding eye contact.

Klaus decides to sit upon the bed and I try to tell myself not to move away, not to show weakness of any type. He doesn't seem to notice my internal struggle as he speaks.

"Gale is very set in his ways," Klaus is staring at the floor as he speaks, he looks uncertain, "so are the rest of my family."

After my conversation with Clarissa I was well informed of his family's opinions.

"I see," I replied quietly, I didn't want to give too much away, "do you want my honest opinion?"

Klaus looked at me then, as though that offering was the only thing he ever wanted. I had to look away for a moment, his proximity and that look was too much for my blood to take.

"I don't blame them," I answered gently, I looked back at him and noticed his expression had softened, did he think I was going to say something completely different?

I shifted slightly so I faced him directly, he didn't seem to want to look at me and I could feel his uncertainty.

"They've got the right to have an opinion and all they have to form that opinion are stories of me, things they've heard in passing." He looked up at me, a deep blue that consumed my thoughts and made me stumble for a moment. "Those stories are never normally good."

We looked at one another in silence, my body urging me- screaming at me to get closer, it wanted some type of contact but I was viciously refusing.

Klaus seemed to sense some type of struggle and looked as though he was about to leave, I felt cold, I didn't want him to leave- correction, my body didn't want him to leave.

"If you've managed to persuade me, surely you could persuade my family?" He asks and as he does he places a hand delicately upon my knee.

All my tension dissipates, all I want to do is persuade his family, make them think this was a great idea. Although a part of me, deep in the back of mind, feels like this will all end in tragedy. Without realising it, Klaus has compelled me.

"Klaus," I say breathlessly, trying to ignore the urgency to go downstairs and respond to his compulsion, "you need to stop touching me."

He seems confused, as though he didn't even realise his hand was still upon my leg, he looks at it- briefly, but he doesn't move.

"Why?" He asks so innocently I almost feel sorry for him, he has no idea what he's doing.

"You're compelling me, all I want to do is go downstairs and talk to your family," I managed to reply, "but when you touch me, all my body wants to do is be with you. I'm being mentally and physically torn in two directions."

I'm physically out of breath when I finish, trying to control my mind and body while Klaus' fingers trailed upon my knee was exhausting.

Realisation seems to dawn upon him, "Sorry Love," his apology means nothing whilst I'm fighting my body, "forget my family for a moment."

My mind finally stops, I can focus on breathing. As I glance at him I noticed he's smirking, he's enjoying this? I become agitated and he notices.

"I honestly have no idea what I'm doing," he explains with a small smile, like that is supposed to make me feel better.

But a part of it does because his smile is so attractive and I want to move closer...

"Your hand, Klaus." I bite out the words, my eyes are shut, my fingers are gripping the bed.

It lingers a moment longer until I finally feel relief flood my body. I glance at Klaus and see he genuinely has no idea what he is doing or how to control it.

"I'll teach you how to control it," I murmur, still managing to catch my breath, he looks slightly guilty, "once you control it you can block your emotions and the effect your touch has."

I feel an overwhelming sense of dread, anger, confusion? They're not my emotions so I turn to look at Klaus, his eyes have darkened and his voice is cold.

"Is this what it was like with Darius?" The tone of his voice makes my body stand on edge, this is the predator I know, one look that terrifies his enemies.

I'm not being compelled but I feel the urge to comply.

"No." I replied honestly. "It wasn't like this with Darius."

Because it wasn't.

Because I was never physically attracted to Darius, because I never had a conversation with Darius or got to know him as anything other than my master, my controller.

Because Darius never treated me as a person or asked for my opinion. Because Darius made me into this merciless creature that killed without question. Because Darius killed everyone and everything I ever loved and made me watch.

Because of this, when Darius touched me, my body told me to get closer but I was always, always capable of refusing him. And he hated that.

But now, something was different.

I had no reason to feel repulsed or angered by Klaus, he had done nothing but help me leave the life of an abuser, reunite me with an old friend and gave me a purpose that was worth living for.

I wondered how many more times I could refuse before I gave in. I wondered if I truly wanted to refuse any more.

Deep down I knew, I couldn't allow that to happen. Deep down I knew, I didn't deserve it.