A/N:

Hello there my loves! I hope all is well for you and yours. This is Chapter 29, and I hope you enjoy it. Also, I would like to dedicate this chapter to a special reader, JuicyFruit22. This incredible person has left a review on every single chapter as she read, which is always a great way to raise a author's spirit. So thank you to JuicyFruit22!

Cheers,

Erin


Chapter 29: Essentia Negotio

(The Essence of Negotiation)

I combed through the kitchen, trying to find the plantation's stash of vampire nibbles. So far, there had been no sign of a bag of B negative anywhere in sight. I needed sustenance after the afternoon I had been through.

"Check the third cabinet on the bottom of the island, love." A familiar British accent informed me. Following the advice, I located the smartly hidden mini-fridge, which was fully stocked with A positive to O negative.

"Thanks. I needed something to eat." I confessed. Klaus nodded understandingly as I popped the bag open, and took a swing. The refreshing liquid slid down my throat smoothly, calming my cravings.

"I'm proud of you."

I stopped drinking a minute to stare at Klaus in surprise.

"What are you proud of me for?" I questioned him.

"Never in my life have I seen an individual take charge during an argument between Elijah and I. You handled yourself well for having such limited experience in plotting against your enemies." Klaus chuckled.

"You would be surprised how much plotting I've done." I muttered.

"I know of your participation in your friend's plots against me in the past. You played your part quite well, sweetheart." Klaus gave me a warm smile. I just nodded grimly, a bit ashamed of what my friends and I had done in the past.

"Have you called Marcel?" I quickly changed the subject. Klaus inhaled sharply as his muscles tensed. He shook his head in dismissal.

"Here." I retrieved my cellphone from the kitchen's pristine marble countertop. I handed it to Klaus, who gave me a strange look.

"Call him. We need to work this out before anyone else gets hurt."

Klaus dialed a number on the keypad, and placed my cellphone to his ear. With my vampire hearing, I was able to listen to the dial tone as it rang it's usual intervals. We waited in silence as the phone kept ringing. Finally, a rich male voice answered.

"Hello?"

"Good evening, Marcellus." Klaus spoke calmly. His hand was tightly wrapped around my phone, showing how concentrated his anger was inside him. I watched as his jaw clenched as he spoke.

"Klaus. It's been a while." Marcel responded across the line.

"Indeed, it has. I hear you have made a name for yourself in the quarter, mate. I am impressed." Klaus replied.

"You taught me everything I know. Don't you remember the endless training? It has served me well." Marcel countered.

"I am not here to trouble you, Marcellus. My wish is to simply negotiate our terms on an even playing ground." Klaus continued to control the situation with pinched irritation.

"Tomorrow morning. Snatcher's Bar and Grille. And bring the baby vampire. I have an acquaintance who wishes to see her." Klaus's eyes dilated, and I heard my breath hitch. So it was true. Tyler was aligning himself with Marcel.

"I, and I alone, will meet with you. We are leaving Caroline out of this." Klaus clipped.

"Either she's there, or don't even plan on coming. Your decision." I heard the line return to the dial tone as Marcel hung up, leaving Klaus with my cellphone tightly pressed to his ear.

"I'm going with you tomorrow." I was the first one to speak in into the silence that filled the large kitchen. I wasn't going to let Klaus give up on a chance to work out with Marcel.

"You are absolutely not attending this meeting. It's too dangerous. I told you once, love, and I will tell you one more time. I will not risk losing you." The Original Hybrid informed me. And I appreciated the concern, but I wanted to actually help diffuse the situation.

"I need to help you. If I go with you to this meeting, it means that maybe we can move forward without any bloodshed." I tried to reason Klaus.

"There will be bloodshed, sweetheart. There is no denying that fact. This is war, and you are going to be kept safe. End of conversation."

"Dammit Klaus. You know what, you're right. Fight your own battles. Apparently I'm just a trophy. Have fun with your battle." I scoffed. Snatching my phone from Klaus's limp hand, I exited the kitchen with my blood bag in hand. Why were men such damn assholes?


I sat on the window seat of the English Rosette Room, looking out the back patio of the plantation house. Watching the ripples of the lighted pool, I tried to relax. But an obnoxious knock sounded at my bedroom door.

"Klaus, go away." I moaned. I knew it was him by the scent of his usual musky cologne, which was wafting through the air.

"Caroline, love. I believe we need to talk."

Getting up from the window cushion, I walked to the door. Opening it, I came face to face to a shirtless, pajama bottom clad Klaus. My eyes trailed up his broad chest, but then made eye contact with his deep blue irises.

"I'm sorry for being so controlling." Klaus admitted to me, and I cocked my head at his confession.

"That's a start at being forgiven." I responded, placing my hand on my hip and leaning against the door frame.

"I just want to make sure that no harm comes to you."Klaus tried to explain himself.

"I know, I just want you to understand that I am a part of this situation too. And even if you like it or not, you need my help. I promised you that I would be careful, and I truthfully intend to be. But I will be involved in the ways that I am needed. That's it." I knew I was being bold, but I was also saying what needed to be said.

"You are incredible woman, you know that, sweetheart?" Klaus smiled.

"Yeah, I'm starting to figure that out." I laughed.

"You better get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be eventful." Klaus whispered.

"You're forgiven, by the way." I responded.

"It would seem so, wouldn't it?" Klaus gave me his signature grin.

"I promise I'll be careful. Neither Marcel or Tyler will harm me; I won't let them." I joked. But I also knew there was a real possibility that someone could come home severly injured after tomorrow's impending meeting.

"I won't either." Klaus assured me.

"Goodnight Klaus." I whispered to the Original hybrid.

"Goodnight, my sweet Caroline." Klaus responded, before placing a soft kiss on my forehead, before placing a chaste one on my lips.

I watched him as he made his way to the master suite at the end of the hall. Closing the door behind me, I pressed my back to the hard wood and thought to myself:

I am falling head over heels for Niklaus Mikaelson. Dear God help me.


A/N:

I hope you enjoyed this little installment of Taking His Offer. Next is a big milestone for this story: CHAPTER 30! Wow. I promise, there will be DRAMA!

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~Erin