At 7:30 exactly there was a knock on the street level door behind Le Chantress and Rae answered expecting to find Elijah but instead it was an unknown male who greeted her, "Miss Buchannon." He turned and waved to the black limo waiting in the private parking lot behind the establishment, "Are you ready?"
She looked passed him and then turned her green eyes back to the man who merely inclined his head before turning to walk towards the car. Once there he opened the door for her, "Miss."
Taking a deep breath Rae got the message loud and clear, this was a business matter for Elijah. Alright, well that was just fine. She needed his strength and reputation, that was all she wanted from him. Lifting the skirt of her deep blue gown she moved towards the car with her clutch purse in hand, thanking the man where he stood holding the door for her.
The expanse of smooth pale skin that greeted his eyes when he turned to watch Rae climb into the limo was startling to say the least. Rae had seated herself first and then turned into the car to avoid an unladylike entry so he'd been presented with her bare back. He was slightly impressed with the maneuvering she managed in that dress, she was hardly wearing anything at all it seemed. One side of the skirt was cut clear up to her hip and caught his attention far longer than it should have. His eyes moved to the low cut neckline of the dress long enough Rae cleared her throat to draw his attention away.
"Are you attempting to make a statement with what little there is of that dress?"
Rae smiled at him as she folded her hands in her lap after arranging the soft material that pooled on her right side and crossed her strappy heeled feet at the ankle, "Perhaps I am. This dress also allows for a wide range of movement."
He arched a brow and looked into her face, "You are anticipating a fight?"
"I am anticipating any number of things, aren't you a fan of being prepared for anything?"
Elijah finally looked away from her, trying not to be affected by her dress. The halter top hugged her front but left her back completely open, an expanse of skin he found himself wanting to run his hands over. Shifting in his seat he looked out the window as the driver pulled out of the alley and into traffic, taking them towards their destination.
With her red hair twisted up off her neck so that only a few strands framed her face Elijah had immediately been drawn to her neck. She was a beautiful woman, tonight she wore the barest of eyeliner that made her eyes seem brighter. The deep blue of her gown gave her more greenish eyes a deeper tone that was close to what he would have called a stormy sea color. He didn't want to admit it but she was killer in that gown and wasn't entirely the amount of skin she was showing, it was her attitude as well. She knew she was a sight in that gown… or what little there was of it.
When they arrived at the gala they had to wait to pull in front of the building before they could disembark from their chariot. Not looking at her Elijah spoke, "I can't protect you if you don't stay close at hand."
Rae smiled as she scooted closer to him and waited for their turn to disembark, "I am aware that's how this works. You might be good but even you can't stop someone from slitting my throat from across the room."
A little taken back by her callousness Elijah looked at her for a moment before the door of the limo was pulled open and he was forced to either get out or hold back and make a scene. As it was Rae was going to make enough of a scene so he opted to get out of the limo instead of saying anything about her comment.
He stood to the side and waited for Rae to join him, purposely not looking at the expanse of skin as she moved to get out though he did offer his arm like a proper gentleman. Tonight he was here because she'd asked him to be, he would play his part no matter what he was feeling towards her. Klause had warned him this would most likely be a bad idea but like usual he'd ignored his brother.
Despite his attempt not to make a scene as soon as Raeanne was spotted as they walked through the grand doors a hush fell over the group. It wasn't surprising to realize no one had thought she would actually attend the event. While she was still technically a part of the community she had made it clear to most of them that she wanted no active part in the coven. The fact that she was also attending with an Original on her arm said a lot of things. Elijah was suddenly reconsidering the wisdom of this move, this was asking for trouble.
Raeanne however ignored it all and moved into the room with a confidence he had to admit he admired. There were very few friends for Rae here and yet she walked with her head held high, his presence having only a small part to play in that. She was an intrigue to him but tonight he didn't want to think about it, Elijah wanted to fulfill his debt to her and hopefully wash his hands of her. He hoped that would be enough to get her out of his mind but worried that nothing but a lot of agonizingly slow time would manage it.
"You are drawing attention," he pointed out as he took two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter.
Rae smiled and shook her head, "Nonsense, it's you. They are looking at you."
He gave her a look that only made the redhead laugh which was not the intended reaction Elijah Mikaelson was used to having on people. With a shake of his head he took a drink from his glass and let it go.
"Has anyone else told you, you need to relax a little?"
Elijah glanced back at her, "Yes, on a few occasions. But when I do I end up doing things I usually regret at some point in time."
That got a more sober reaction from her. Rae carefully kept the smile on her face, "Are you trying to bait me, Mr. Mikaelson? I thought you would be above such things but... I suppose you are more capable of being physically above someone."
The reminder of their time together was a low blow and she knew it but judging by the sweet look she shot him she didn't care in the least. He'd been trying very hard not to think about the moments he'd shared with Rae, trying to tell himself they had been just that… moments. And here she was throwing it in his face that he'd been with her. The woman was playing with fire but he was very sure she was aware of that.
Deciding to fight fire with fire Elijah moved to stand on Rae's other side and as he passed behind her he brushed his fingers across the small of her back. He wanted to touch more of her but knew that would only be more trouble, Raeanne was nothing but trouble and heartache for him. Leaning close to her to speak close to her ear he said, "Careful, Miss Buchannon, you're not the only one who can play games."
He saw the reaction she had to his touch and his closeness as his eyes dropped to the bare skin of her shoulder. As she cleared her throat Elijah grinned to himself more than anyone else as he tipped his head to watch the goosebumps travel across her skin, her nipples hardening. Unfortunately though he was torturing himself just as much as he was her and in an attempt to save himself he withdrew his hand and put a little distance between them as if it didn't bother him in the least.
Trying to appear otherwise unaffected Rae took a drink from her glass, she really only had herself to blame for that one. She shouldn't have pushed that particular button this evening but part of her was a little annoyed with Elijah and his decision that they should keep their distance from each other. After such heated moments it stung more than she cared to admit. Rae pushed those thoughts aside and turned her attention to the party around them.
People seemed to have adjusted to her presence, though more than a few were still eyeing her. Taking another drink she let her stormy eyes wander over the faces around her, she was looking for one person in particular who might be willing to talk to her. While Rae hadn't been an active part of the witch community she still had a few friends or connections. She had a feeling though she might be burning a few bridges as she tried to figure out how best to untangle herself from her current situation.
Problem was the coven was afraid of the Mikaelson family, they had been bullied by Marcel for far too long and he was aligned with them for all anyone knew. The coven wanted freedom from the oppression and Rae could hardly blame them but she wanted no part in the storm currently brewing between the family and the coven. She could only do so much to protect herself, she didn't have the ability everyone assumed she did and only a handful of people knew the truth of that. So as of right now she appeared to have aligned with the Mikaelsons and it was pushing the coven to act against her.
When Elijah had come to her for help with the spell Freya needed he'd pulled her into the mix but she'd known that would most likely happen. Rae had been hovering around the edge of the community for most of her life. When she'd reappeared in the city there had been a lot of speculation as to where her mother was. At the time she'd ignored most of the questions, she'd been young and trying to move on with her life.
"You look great tonight Rae, but is that the dress you want to be buried in?"
Elijah had moved so he could easily put himself between her and the newcomer but there was no need, this was the one person here she didn't think had it out for her. With a smile she stepped up and hugged the tall man, "Reggie. It's good to see you back in this part of the country."
The tall dark skinned man grinned at her and ignored the Original as he returned Rae's hug, "Yes well my mother insisted there were things here that needed my attention."
Wincing a little Rae sighed, "And how is she? I've been very remiss in my duties to check in on her lately."
She glanced at Elijah before turning her eyes back to the taller man, "Reggie, my escort tonight Mr. Elijah Mikaelson. And this is an old friend Reginald Odie."
Reggie took the hand Elijah offered him, "I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you personally but your name is known well enough."
"I haven't the pleasure in either case. You've been traveling," it was polite conversation, something Rae hadn't fully expected from the vampire but she wasn't going to say anything.
The dark man looked at Rae and arched a brow, "Yes well, my mother is very particular about items in her shop and I've become a… procurer of things for her since she can't travel as well in her old age."
Laughing Rae shook her head, "Don't let her hear you say that. I suppose if you have been traveling though you don't know about what's been going on here then." Which was a little disappointing because she needed an ally here in a room full of snakes and people more than happy to see her ended for various reasons.
"I wouldn't say that. Momma has kept me informed. You've gotten in a spot of trouble is my understanding, which was cause for my surprise in seeing you here tonight with your escort as you put it," deep brown eyes went from Rae to Elijah for a brief moment before he looked back at the redhead.
Rae nodded, "Just a little hot water. I was hoping you might be able to feel out a few people, see if you can find anything useful for me. I'm not welcome here obviously but you are still a member of the community."
Standing near them as they talked Elijah turned the majority of his attention to the room around them, people were still looking as they milled around waiting for whatever happened next at these sort of things. He imagine food of some kind, dancing maybe but it was a witch gathering so who knew maybe there would be a goat sacrifice or something. He was however keen on paying attention to the climate around Rae and himself. It was clear she was not welcome here with him beside her.
The tall man shook his head, "A little hot water? Ah… chica, you are modest. You've created quite the stir throwing your lot in with his family. They think you've taken a side and given them all your secrets."
And that was what she was worried about, the coven assumed without asking her about it. She'd never lied to them so why wouldn't they trust her? Well, they wouldn't trust her if they didn't believe the stories floating around about her mother.
Putting a hand on Rae's arm the man pulled her a step away from Elijah though the original could hear them just as clearly so he didn't move to follow, "What have you done, Raeanne? Everyone one is buzzing about the Mikaelson family and you right now. Why are you here with him tonight?"
"I needed to know what's going on here and without some back up I didn't feel safe enough to come on my own, I wouldn't put it passed them to attack me or some other craziness. They'd been raiding my business Reg, they'd broken in twice now. They won't approach me directly, I had to show them I'm not afraid of them," she said softly.
"By showing up here with an Original?"
She winced a little at the accusation in his words. "Well… I think he's the only reason no one has thrown a drink in my face at this point. I knew the coven wasn't happy but it's a little hotter in here than I anticipated," she said honestly.
Sighing he shook his head, "You should have called me, little sister. I would have come back earlier."
The old nickname caught her by surprise as she looked up at him and then sighed, "I didn't want you to worry, you've got your hands full with Momma."
He hugged her again and then stepped back, "Alright, I'll see what I can find out as discreetly as I can. I'll see you at Momma's in a couple days."
As he left them Elijah returned to her side, "Little sister?" It really wasn't his business to ask but the affection had surprised him to say the least.
Rae turned to face him, downing the rest of her drink, "I ended up living with Reggie and his mother for quite awhile when I was younger. If it weren't for her… I'd probably be in jail somewhere or worse."