Chapter 51

Little tricks

Hope looked at her sister who was lying motionlessly on the bed. It looked like she was just sleeping. Esther had cast some kind of spell that would protect her body until she would come back. It felt strange to be here again. When she and Grace had left, Hope had thought that she would be never coming back. Hope stroked Grace's hair and placed the pink bunny next to her. She didn't want to leave her side.

"Hope?" Elijah said. "You have to eat something."

"Thanks but I'm really not hungry", Hope murmured. She startled when Elijah touched her shoulder.

"Starving yourself won't help Grace", he said gently. "Please eat something. For me."

Hope turned to look at him. He looked worried. She didn't want him to worry about her.

"Ok", Hope said tiredly. "I'll try."

Elijah kissed her forehead and wrapped his arm around her waist.

"No, I can't leave", Hope protested when he started to lead her out.

"It's ok", Elijah said calmingly. "Grace is safe here."

Hope let out a sob.

"Do you promise?"

She was too tired to be ashamed of her weakness. Elijah caressed her cheek and kissed her.

"I promise, my love."

Elijah led her to the kitchen and lifted a tray in front of her. There were some sandwiches, fruits and some kind of soup. Hope forced herself to eat, for Elijah, but she didn't really taste anything. She was praying that this would work. She couldn't lose her sister.

...

Lila tried desperately to think. She was really in trouble this time. These two weren't humans so she didn't have much to work with. Grace's boyfriend was completely out of reach. He was full of rage, sadness and desperation. This other one was her only chance. Not the best possible subject but a beggar couldn't be a chooser. Where were all the humans when she needed them?

Lila looked at the two men sitting in front of her. The other guy was driving and Grace's boyfriend sat next to him. Lila was on the backseat. She was only wearing her nightie and she had bruised her leg while climbing out of the window. She really needed a plan. She quickly considered her options. She could either stick to her role or try something else. If she could only spent some time alone with that other guy…

But she still needed a backup plan. Or two. She had learned that from Sean. That bastard had abandoned her as soon as he had realized that he couldn't take these guys. Her father wasn't as strong as she was but they would have had a chance if they would have worked together. Now she was on her own. But that wasn't anything new. She would just have to do what she did best. Adapt. Hopefully that would be enough to keep her alive. But first she needed to know what these people wanted from her. Lila let out a fake sob before she spoke.

"Excuse me", she said shyly. "I think my leg is broken."

"You should have thought about that before you tried to run", Grace's boyfriend replied coldly.

Lila forced herself to shed few tears.

"I'm sorry, I was just so scared. Please…It hurts."

"Shut up", he snapped.

"Kol", the other guy said. "There's no need to be barbaric."

Grace's boyfriend scowled him.

"Oh I'm sorry sir Lancelot. What the hell is wrong with you? Since when have you cared about some human?"

"I don't", the other guy replied tensely. "But she's just a child…"

Kol rolled his eyes.

"Just take a look at her! She's no child!"

That was true. Lila wasn't very tall so she seemed younger than she actually was, but she wasn't a child. She could act like one though when it was necessary. That appealed to some people. Sean had sometimes called her his little fairy princess. Her mother had been tiny and graceful as well. But now she needed to focus. The other guy had just stopped the car in front of a gas station.

"We need some gas", he said before Kol could argue. "Tank the car; I'll take a look of her leg."

Kol rolled his eyes but he didn't say anything. Lila prepared herself when the other guy moved to the backseat. This might be her only chance.

"Ok, let's see…"

Lila waited until Kol got out. The other guy was examining her leg.

"I don't think that it's broken", he said.

"Maybe your touch made it better", Lila said blinking her eyes. "May I ask your name?"

"Klaus."

"It's nice to meet you Klaus. You are a good guy, I can tell."

He laughed.

"Oh, I doubt that."

Lila didn't think that either but she needed to get a stronger hold on him. She leaned closer letting her nightie "accidently" rise higher revealing her thighs.

"Yes, you are", she said softly. "So big and strong…"

He was looking at her emotionlessly. She was losing him. Dammit. Maybe a physical touch would help. Lila touched his cheek and let her fingers to caress his lips.

"I want to be with you", she whispered. "Would you take me away from here?"

In the next second she was on her back. He had pinned her wrists above her head.

"Now you listen to me, little girl, I am one of the oldest vampires in the world, so do you honestly think that your little tricks would work on me?"

Lila was stunned but she pulled herself together quickly. Klaus was on top of her. He was looking at her coldly. Lila swallowed.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"

"Quiet", he interrupted her and grabbed her thigh.

"No, please…" Lila managed to say.

Klaus smiled.

"What's the matter sweetheart? This is what you offered me, isn't it?"

Lila was panicking.

"No, please don't."

"So you don't want this?"

"No", she said quietly.

Klaus looked at her for a moment before he got up.

"Hmm. I believe that was the first honest thing you have said to me."

Lila was shaking. She had no idea what to say. Klaus took his jacket off and handed it to her.

"And a little advice, don't ever try to play your little games with me again. Next time I won't be so forgiving. Do we understand each other, sweetheart?"

Lila nodded. She didn't look at him.

"Good", he said and moved back to the driver's seat.

Lila was too shocked to say anything. She had definitely underestimated that guy. How could she have been so stupid? That mistake would probably cost her life. It was a depressing thought but she wasn't ready to give up. If there was a way out of this mess, she would find it.