Author's Babble: Hi all. I do hope many of you are still enjoying this story. I am sorry if the cruelty that is Klaus is turning anyone off and if you feel inclined to not continue reading this story, well. I won't take it personally. I did want Klaus to be truly nasty, so I'm content with how I'm writing him. But certain subject matters aren't for everyone.

Anyway. For those still reading, lol. Enjoy.

CHAP 21:

Stepping up onto a stone landing in front of the building, I heard rather than saw the door that opened following the heavy slide of a bolt. My thoughts were on Jenna and Jeremy, but on instinct I was trying to take in my surroundings. Walking into the pitch black opening fear paralysed me and I stopped abruptly, before falling forward onto my knees and free hand on the hard floor. Klaus either hadn't noticed or didn't care that I'd paused. I was betting the latter. He'd pulled me forward but released his arm from mine, instead having hold of my wrist. He'd probably done it for the kick. It was a sharp reminder of my place. I was beneath him and was to obey. I tensed when hands swiftly placed themselves on the sides of my waist from behind and I knew them to be Elijah's. He lifted me to my feet quickly. The non-human speedy assistant disguised by my resulting stumble as I kept up with Klaus, who probably would have dragged me if I hadn't found my feet. Something brushed against my free hand and I gasped, jerking it from the sensation.

"Not afraid of the dark are we Elena?" Klaus drawled. A hand then clasped my own, entwining our fingers and gave a comforting squeeze. Elijah? I returned the gesture and continued to grip his hand like my life depended on it. It wasn't like I had to worry about hurting him. I didn't think I was capable of causing him any more pain than him having not acted soon enough to prevent Klaus from getting me.

"No." I said through gritted teeth. Elijah's hand gave me unmeasured strength and determination to be difficult for Klaus.

I didn't know why Elijah didn't just quickly kill me. He'd fought against Klaus before and had come off in great shape. All he'd need to do is injure Klaus enough to keep him at bay then break my neck or something. Dim light started to illuminate the darkness and Elijah snatched his hand away.

"Jonas. Find Greta and make sure you and her are ready for Elena." Klaus instructed as the lighting grew to a warm ambience which gave soft illumination to the stone interior that I was finally able to see surrounding us. I found it odd that the building was pitch black from the outside despite the lighting within. From the size and material of the structure it seemed we were in an old stone warehouse. It was huge and where we stood looked like it might have been some sort of workshop at some point. The area was extremely spacious. With only a partitioned off area to the far end. Looking up I saw a second story towards the far end of the giant room, accessed by stairs. It was rustic in a grand way. But I really couldn't give it any more appraisal than that. I wasn't sure if my distaste of the structure was because of it's association with Klaus, or I simply couldn't care at the moment. Looking back around the room there were four large archways leading away from where we'd come to stand. Jonas walked through the closest one to our right presumably in search for Greta. Well at least he'd found her, that she was alive and he could be with her. I could hear his footsteps echoing once he was out of sight and assumed that each opening was a walkway. If they were, then I had to assume there were quite a few rooms to this place, making it seem positively humongous. Out of the far archways to the left and right side of where we stood, three men and two women filtered and headed towards us. I hadn't heard any echoing footsteps and couldn't ignore the way their eyes glued to me. Vampires? Elijah shifted from standing behind me to take the place Jonas had left to my right. The slightest hint of recognition passed through the advancing group and I had a feeling none of them were originals. Why else would they react to Elijah's presence? Not that their status would ease any of my worry. Especially since they still kept their eyes on me. When they were ten metres away I took a step backwards, surprised when Klaus' hand released my wrist. He regained his grip on me around my waist and pulled me harshly against his side. "Now, now. Sweetheart. No need to be rude to my Hybrid candidates." He grinned broadly at the group before addressing them smugly. "As you can see. Everything is going to plan. I have my doppleganger. My human doppleganger." Klaus pushed me forward into the group, whose arms caught and steadied me as I stumbled. The women each lifted one of my wrists to their faces and inhaled. So my assumption seemed correct. The men stroked their fingers down the sides of my neck and torso. While none of them were gripping me tightly I found myself unable to get free when I struggled. My breaths became short and sharp when the two holding my wrists looked at me like predators. Which they are. My eyes widened and I couldn't stop myself from trembling. Stay calm.

"Get your hands off me."I spat viscously. Looking at Elijah with pleading confusion in my eyes. Why wasn't he doing anything? He looked positively livid despite obviously trying to mask it. His restraint seemed pained.

"She's prettier than Katerina." One of the women drawled dangerously. "Too pretty really. Do you intend to change that Klaus?" The blond to my right asked scornfully.

"Just because you can't handle anyone looking better than you is no reason I should damage Elena Sarah." Klaus snapped at her. Well that's a huge comfort. I'll look good! I sensed the bitterness between the two vampires and kept my mouth shut. "Besides. As my accessory, I intend to show her off. Her looks will only compliment my own appearance further. However, impossible that may seem. If only you could see what's beneath her robe. But that is my pleasure, not yours." He continued smugly and formed a somewhat sexy smirk as he looked at me intently, before sending it toward the female vamp who scoffed. I so wanted to laugh in his face at his arrogant view of his appearance.

"Oh you flatter yourself Klaus." Sarah replied disinterestedly. A soft caress was trailing it's way down over my hip. Before passing down and around the inside of my thigh.

"No. You flatter me with your tartness, like the bitch on heat that you are. Can't seem to take no for an answer." He quipped bitterly. Despite my discomfort at being felt up, I snorted a little and rolled my eyes. Seriously? Hypocritical much? "Mmm?" Klaus raised his eyebrows at me in question of my humour.

"It seems you two have that in common." I grumbled at him. Klaus lost his smirk and narrowed his eyes at me.

"You've yet to knock that out of her I see." Sarah stated as an insult which Klaus bit to. Knock out figuratively or physically? He moved his threatening gaze to Sarah.

"All in good time. She'll have a base understanding of how to behave by the full moon. Much sooner than that in fact. After all, I will want her on my arm for my reveal next week." Klaus returned his attention to me and flashed a broad smile. Such joyous emotion on him seemed sickeningly fake, but was nonetheless genuine and good humoured. Vile bastard. Apparently his reveal was something he was looking forward to.

Cool air washed across my bottom and I knew that someone had lifted the back of my robe. I wondered if it was Sarah, though it hardly mattered who it was. It just needed to stop. Surely Klaus wasn't going to leave me with these vampires to do as they wish? If they did even half of what he'd done I didn't know how I'd manage.

"Klau-." I began to plead insistently and jumped as a palm moulded it's self against my right bum cheek, but Elijah cut me off.

"Klaus. Surely you don't trust these, candidates with your doppleganger?" Elijah queried in a respective manner. But his tone told of how furious he was. Klaus clicked his fingers and I was released. I looked around at the vampires that retreated a metre from me and smoothed the robe down over my bottom. Just to be sure it had fallen back the right way. Klaus extended his hand towards me again.

"Shall we take our little gathering to some where more intimate do you think brother?" He directed his mused invitation of a relocation to Elijah. Casting an amused look at the stone-faced, severely unimpressed vampire he still had the nerve to refer to as a familiar.

"Lead the way." Elijah concurred and Klaus turned to look questioningly at me as I still hadn't taken his hand. He smirked at me, his eyes glinting evilly. As if in gleeful anticipation of having a reason to hurt me again if I resisted him. I raised an eyebrow at him before walking forward to stand by his side, ignoring his hand altogether. Klaus' chuckle met my ears moments before his crushing grip took hold of my wrist again, causing me to cry out in pain as I recognised the feeling of having my wrist broken again. As tears ran down my cheeks I grimly consoled that at least it was the opposite one to last time. I didn't know if it was my pride, but I made sure not to look at the group of vampires. Neither did I snivel the moisture that released in my sinuses the moment tears had sprung to my eyes. I was the weakest one here. But I didn't need to show it. Klaus set himself in motion and dragged me along with him towards the nearest walkway to our left.

"Send the warlock in if you see him." Klaus called back to the small group as we moved down the passage. It was lit softly and many doors were set into the stone walls. If each door indicated a room, then this place truly was huge. Coming to a corner in the passage we were directed to the right and another corner came into view, also angled to the right. I had to assume that it lead back out to where we'd left the other vampires. Noted. Not that my surroundings mattered because I wasn't about to even attempt escape before I knew exactly what Klaus intended to do with Jenna and Jeremy. Not that I would want to abandon them anyway. It was so conflicting. I felt the need to escape, but I couldn't leave them.

Klaus stopped us outside a wooden door and opened it inwards.

"Ladies first." He said almost gentlemanly. From the door there was nothing threatening about the space within. A wave of nausea swept through me when I saw the grand bed set in the middle of the spacious room against the opposite wall. Quickly I looked elsewhere to see draws either side of the bed and a window in the centre of the wall behind the bed. Against the left wall sat a shelving unit laden with liquor, a lot of liquor. Next to it was a plain but deeply stained wardrobe. To the left side of the room sat a black leather lounge beneath a large painting mounted to cover the centre of the wall. "Don't take all day now will you." Klaus drawled sarcastically. Finally I stepped forward into the room waiting expectantly for the door to be slammed shut and for me to be locked in. Though I hadn't noticed a lock on the door. But I was a little informed about the possibilities of magic these days and knew that there didn't need to be a physical way to lock me in. Klaus prodded my back gently and I moved forward another couple of steps. Huh. Didn't think he was capable of anything gentle. "Come in Elijah." I turned and saw Klaus holding the door as Elijah walked in to stand next to me. "Drink anyone?" Klaus enquired as he shut the door, then walked past me to what served as a liquor cabinet and grabbed some glasses. Neither Elijah or I answered. Instead I looked at my wrist and gently gave it a squeeze, it had healed. Klaus poured some light golden liquid into a glass for himself and sauntered back over to us as we stood watching him.

"Where are Jenna and Jeremy?" I asked boldly, getting straight to the point. Klaus ignored me and took a sip from his glass. With his eyes fixated on me he drew the glass away. He'd heard me, but had decided on ignorance for the moment.

"Oh please don't stand to ceremony Elijah, Elena. Sit, get comfortable." Klaus instructed with a grin. I glanced at Elijah who's face flickered with soft endorsement. He and I moved to the lounge and sat. Myself on the end closest to the corner, Elijah at the other. We were close, but no where near close enough. I desperately wanted to reach out and touch him, but I wasn't sure if Klaus would allow that. I certainly didn't want to add any additional arsenal to the simmering confrontation between the two. I was also second guessing Elijah. He'd helped me up when I fell, he'd held my hand, we'd shared non-verbal communication. It all indicated that if there are to be any sides in this, that he's my champion. But I was confused because I should be dead. First chance he got, he should have killed me. In my opinion that chance should have already occurred, yet here I was. I didn't know where he stood right now. Even as he sat there he seemed so far away. He had detached himself. I knew he had done so to make himself more aware of anything and everything that was going on. He'd submerged himself into a cool and calculating mode of survival. I was glad of it because it gave me hope. But for me it was terribly lonely. Klaus cleared his throat as soon as I'd sat. "No, not there. Stand." He ordered. I stayed seated and frowned up at him. Where else was I supposed to sit? "Stand, Elena." He repeated again but with slow deliberation and a severe edge to his voice. Warily I did so. Once standing Klaus sat where I had, put his glass down in the floor next to the lounge and pet the top of his thighs. Indicating I was to sit on his lap. Uh-uh. I attempted to take a step away from him but found myself forced down into his lap sideways so that I faced Elijah. Swinging my elbow in towards his chest, it connected jarringly with his rib cage and I grimaced.

"Let go!" Klaus wrapped an arm around my torso trapping my arms while another snaked around my waist to facilitate the possessive hold he took with his hand at the junction of my thighs covering my mound. Effectively holding my lower body still. Conveniently for him my shock and disgust froze me. "Get. Your. Filthy. Hands. Off. Me." I demanded savagely, staring past Elijah's shoulder at the wall.

"Make me." He challenged simply as he released my arms. I sat there stock still. I wanted so badly to even try and rip his hand from between my legs but I wouldn't be able to. My attempt would only turn into movements that Klaus would interpret perversely, as he so liked to do. My only comfort was that the robe was between his hand and my flesh. I kept looking at the wall and decided to repeat my earlier question.

"Where are my aunt and brother?" I asked again.

"Right you are sweetheart. Down to business." He whispered into my ear. His hot breath a revolting, barely there warmth on my neck. The vague scent of scotch met my nostrils. "Your aunt and brother are in Mystic Falls. There's no need to relocate them as we will be travelling back there for the sacrifice. When my brother so simply put it that I have them. He was reiterating what I told him upon waking in the van. That if he does anything that aids your escape, or lack of life. He will be responsible for the deaths of your remaining family members." I looked at Elijah instead of past him and read the truth on his features. I hadn't heard any of this earlier, so at some point Klaus must have threatened Jenny and Jer with his mind tricks. "Spot on."

"Get out of my head." I demanded, casting my eyes away from Elijah again.

"They have been compelled so that when or if I should make contact with them, either by phone or in person. I can say a few choice words and they will meet their deaths. I'll allow them to be creative with their methods. But the result is still the same." He explained carelessly. Forcing myself to look at the monster's face I tried to appeal to him.

"Please. Don't hurt them. You have me. Just leave them alone." I pleaded insistently. He only smirked before casting his eyes down to my mouth. Nausea surged within me.

"And here I thought you'd declare that you would do anything for them to be left alone." He mused and his eyes twinkled when they met mine again. Yeah, that's classy. Blackmail me into jumping into bed with you. "In any case." Klaus continued. "Now that you are aware of the stakes. Do I need to refresh you on your rules from our first meeting? I can't tell from your more recent behaviour if you're having difficulty with your compliance, or simply just don't understand their meaning." Klaus began running his fingers through my hair. I looked at Elijah in worry and was met with the ashamed expression on his face. "Which do you think it is brother?" He threw the question at Elijah. "Do you think she just doesn't understand? Perhaps I should school her on the basics, do you think?" Klaus' drew my hair back from the side of my face to fall over my ear closest to him. "Like how I want her to kiss me for instance." I dropped my head forward toward my chest. When one of Klaus' hands closed across the front of my throat, I turned my head to look away from him to my shoulder. Rousing a deep chuckle from within his chest. "Now, now Elena." He whispered. "Shall I help you? I'm sure you don't want to be the reason for your aunt and brother's no doubt painful deaths." His hand moved around my neck before capturing the bottom of my jaw and directing my face back towards his own. Heated disgust rose up within me. It was vile and I felt miserable. I had to do this. I had to. It was for my family. I shut my eyes on the threatening tears before they escaped. "Open your eyes Elena." He instructed. I shock my head gently before slowly parting my eyelids from the skin beneath my eyes and tears began to fall. Klaus took his hand from my jaw and brushed at the tears with his index finger, before bringing it to his mouth and tasting the salty liquid and smiling at my miserable expression.

"I'm going to be sick!" I quickly forewarned as my stomach lurched and I thought I was going to hurl. My hand flew up to cover my mouth and I made to move away from Klaus but he kept me still.

"No, you're not." He grabbed my wrist and pulled my hand away from my mouth and placed it at the back of his neck. Anger boiled within me and I stemmed the production of my tears. With a single sniff I forced the nausea away and mustered as much strength as I could. Raising my eyebrows at Klaus I thought: Bring it on, you bastard.

"Careful what you wish for sweetheart." He thought in reply. "Now. Kiss me." Without hesitation I left my hand at the back of his neck and gave him a slow peck on the lips. I was about to draw away, but with a millimetre of space between our mouths Klaus' stopped me. "Not good enough. I want to feel your tongue with my own. How about, you kiss me like you'd kiss Elijah? I might be satisfied then." He gave a breathy laugh and his hot scotch tainted breath washed over my lips. Glaring at him I took a deep breath before connecting our lips again. I'd kiss him like I would Elijah. It would be a perverse display of my love and forgiveness of the vampire who I held within my heart. Sure it was going to be awkward and disgusting because it was Klaus. But while it wouldn't be a walk in the park for Elijah to see me kissing another man, no less his brother. I hoped he would see it for what it was. A declaration of my love for Elijah, something that Klaus would never have. Never.

Moving them gently against his I slid my tongue along his bottom lip before moving up to the break that had formed between his lips and slowly slid within. I found the taste of scotch a welcome change from the bloodied taste of his mouth earlier. When our tongues met my own darted back into my own mouth, but it was a failed escape as Klaus' followed my retreating muscle. Instantly he'd changed the kiss from how slow and delicate I had began it to something of passion and fevered exploration. Searching my mouth he coaxed my tongue back into response as our lips slid and tugged along each other's with increased pace and pressure. Having had more than enough, and assuming that Klaus would be satisfied, as he'd put it, I pulled my face away breathing hard. Klaus' lips were flushed with blood and he smiled broadly at me.

"Outside of this room, you will comply with my actions as easily as you just kissed me. I'll allow your defiance within this room and when out of sight and ear shot of my comrades. However I will not always tolerate it. But at all other times you will behave however I demand you to. You need to work on being believable, even if it is just an act at this stage. But if you don't even try, then you can expect a simple phone call to be made to your home in Mystic Falls. You'll only get two chances. After that I run out of family members." Klaus spoke softly before looking to the other vampire in the room. "What do you think brother? Is that how she'd kiss you?" He enquired scathingly. Slowly I turned my head toward Elijah. It was so difficult to bring my eyes to his after what I'd just done in front of him. But when I did, I gave him a soft compassionate smile.

"Yes, it is." I said softly. Klaus sighed impatiently.

"The point of directing a question at my brother is for him to answer. If you're going to speak out of turn, or take the fun out of having him around like you just have. Then I may very well put the dagger back in." I locked my jaw. Did I want Elijah around? For my own support I wanted him around. Yet on the other hand, if he wasn't around to see everything that I was going to be subjected to he'd be better off. I did not want to be another thing Klaus took from Elijah. Truthfully I already had been taken. But if Elijah didn't have to endure it, then maybe that would be better. Elijah cleared his throat

"If you're intending to achieve some enjoyment from subjecting Elena to your disgraceful company. I don't know where you expect it to come from. Am I supposed to be jealous? Because I'm not. Anything Elena is forced to do with you is exactly that. It is forced. It is not real. And any way that you require Elena to act or react to you is for her, performed with myself in mind." He spoke dangerously low.

"And the fun begins." Klaus said heartily. "I don't care what your reaction is Elijah. It's all enjoyable for me." A knock sounded at the door. "Come in." Klaus invited.

The door swung inwards and Jonas walked in, followed by a girl a little older than myself with similarly toned skin and I assumed that this was Greta.

"Are we ready?"

"Yes Klaus." The girl replied with what seemed like devotion. Like she valued Klaus. She and her father stepped forward to Klaus and I. Not knowing what was going on I froze. The witch and warlock didn't seem threatening. But where Klaus was concerned who knew what was going to happen.

"What's going on?" I asked worriedly.

"Just making sure we have no more interference from Elijah. Though I'm quite sure that he wasn't aware of the little piece of information I divulged you earlier, I'm not willing to take that chance. Greta and Jonas will just assess you to see if there is any contraceptive magic in effect.

"It won't hurt." Greta placed a hand on my shoulder. "Those with magic can assess a body's characteristics with far less invasive methods than Doctors do. My hand on your shoulder is all you'll feel." I just looked at her sceptically. I really couldn't care if it would hurt or not. It shouldn't be done in the first place. I should be dead. But that wasn't happening. I didn't know if I should be thankful for Elijah obviously caring about Jer and Jenna, that he didn't want to act on my life in fear of their own. In a way he should just go ahead and kill me anyway. Neither scenario sat right with me, so I decided that I had no right to judge and just be thankful for whatever Elijah chose to do. Maybe he has a plan, or is forming one. Jonas came forward to stand by the Greta's side and held her hand in his own. Both simultaneously closed their eyes and I assumed they'd begun. I looked at Elijah who's mask was betraying his confusion.

"I need to be pregnant for the sacrifice." I explained to Elijah in a dead-panned voice.

"Shut, your mouth. Before I shut it for you." Klaus growled.

"Why not just hit me again or break my other wrist?" I shot back at him.

"Sometimes the suspense of delayed punishment works just as well." Klaus spoke as a promise, his eyes glittered. I rolled my eyes.

"She's clean." Greta said.

"Thank you Greta. That will be all." Klaus dismissed them. Moving me off his lap he retrieved the glass he'd set down and followed them just outside the door. I moved closer to Elijah and we shared a look. His one of sympathy, mine one of comfort. I heard a few murmurs and wanted to ask Elijah what was being said.

But by the time I was about to Klaus came back in, downed the contents of his glass and went to replace it upon the shelves. When he'd turned back to face us I'd moved to stand next to Elijah with my hand on his shoulder.

"Well, isn't this cosy? Now what are we going to do about the two of you? I think. I'll allow you two to spend as much time as you so desire together. However, when I need Elena. I need Elena and that will not be debated. This is her room. Hers and mine. Where she will spend every night as a minimum here with me." Klaus flashed his eyes dangerously at me and my mouth went dry. "Not yours brother. Perhaps I'll set you up in a neighbouring room so you might hear her screams. Though these walls aren't paper thin, the doors do allow for the transfer of sound. Not that hearing is a weakness for us. You are welcome to tag along with Elena and I at times. At others, you'll have to entertain yourself. If you interfere you'll find yourself at odds with Elena as perhaps at least one, maybe both of her remaining family members might meet their end as a result. Don't worry. It wont be like this for long. At some point I'll grow bored of you and you'll find yourself re-daggered. That is if you continue to hang around. After all Elena is mine so at some point she'll have to focus her affections on me alone. I'm really just humouring you and Elena. Perhaps this might educate you on the weakness of love? Wether you'll ever get the chance to utilise that education I can't say."

"Just because you can't bare to take stock in others, doesn't mean everyone else is the same. There is great beauty in the humans that you cast aside. Love is one of them and it is far from a weak characteristic." Came Elijah's disdained response.

"Oh brother. You're blinded. You were once very much like myself and had everything at your disposal. But now you limit yourself to being considerate and valuing humanity. So much so that you've let one of the masses beneath your skin! I thought you'd have gained some sense after Katerina."

"We were never alike in anything more than DNA. I merely turned a blind eye to your ministrations because you are my brother. There was a time where I would do anything for you, because you are family. But you turned an honourable association into something to be ashamed of." Elijah replied distastefully.

"Oh, we were alike." His tone assuring. Klaus walked back over to us looking at me critically. "Now. Moving on. Is there anything you would like to tell me?" He asked. His tone full of accusation.

"Excuse me?" I frowned.

"Something important. Relating to the process of conception." Could he get any more cryptic? I opted for a sarcastic response and as I drew breath to reply it filled me with aggression.

"Oh! You mean that I don't want to be anywhere near you, have to look at you? Be ra-" I'm going to be sick. My voice broke off but I made myself continue. Softly at first before raising my voice to a yell. "Raped, by you?" Elijah tensed beneath my hand. "God knows how you haven't realised and further, need to be told how you disgust me! You mentioned it would be something of importance, so if it's none of the afore mentioned, then I don't know why you would think I'd have anything else to say to you!" Fuming, I looked at Klaus with wide eyes as I took deep measured breaths. He became a blur and I shied away as I brought my hands up to cover my face, thinking I was going to be struck again. I felt a rush of air at my side and in front of me and snapped my eyes open to see Elijah's back. He stood so rigidly, like a physical blockade in human form. It could only be described as dangerous.

"Klaus. I know your temper. Keep in mind she's human, therefore fragile." Elijah warned seriously in a deep voice. I peered around Elijah to see Klaus. He was livid. The sight of him sent shivers up my spine.

"I'm sure she can handle herself. You should see how she handles my normal methods of torture when I want answers. Quite the trooper." Klaus shifted his eyes to mine. "Now, get out of my way before I make you." He sneered.

"Please don't do this Klaus. You don't need to use force. You have enough ammunition to contain Elena." Elijah persuaded impatiently. But Klaus wasn't listening. Both men were glued in their stances for several long seconds.

"Move, brother." He practically growled. "Before I make a phone call to her aunt. If she's purposely hiding anything, I need to know what that might be. Her reproductive problems sound rather convenient." Elijah's body relaxed in defeat. Though I couldn't see his face, there was no misreading the glee on Klaus' and I knew Elijah was tormented even as he'd made the right decision to stand down. "Very good Elijah." He smirked and shot towards me at vampire speed.

"Don't!" Escaped my mouth in a single sobbed cry. I shied away again and swiftly dropped down into a ball on the hard stone floor.