A/N: Thank you so much for those who have reviewed so far! Love hearing thoughts! :)
Chapter 4:
"I have a date tonight," Eloise said, hopping on the bed with Davina, "And I need your help." She tossed a shopping bag between them. "I can't decide what to wear and I am desperate need of a second opinion."
"A date?" Davina titled her head, inquisitively, "But I thought you said you were staying away from Elijah."
"I am staying away from Elijah," Ella replied, "I met someone."
Davina's smile was wide, "Did you? What's his name? What's he like?"
"Well, his name is Christopher. He loves jazz and art and history. We have talked for hours the past two weeks. And we are finally meeting in person tonight. And I need to look cute and lose some of my teacher frumpiness because I don't want to scare him off right from the start, so I need your opinion because I think the teacher frump is engrained in me..."
Davina looked confused, "How haven't you met him?"
"We got matched through this online dating site."
"So you don't really know him?" Davina pressed, "Are you sure that is a good idea considering...well, you know everything...?"
"I'm sure it's fine...what do you think he is...some serial killer?" Eloise tugged at her ends of her hair, "Well, Elijah is practically that, so I doubt I can get too unlucky to meet two of those in the course of two months."
"True..." Davina said, "Is that really how you see Elijah?"
Ella bit her lip, "No. But I'm trying not to think about how much I miss seeing him."
Davina reached across the bed to squeeze her hand, "Let me see what you have."
Eloise pulled out two tops. "I know these aren't usually my style, but..." One was a silky sheer black top, that was three quarter length sleeves, and the other was a sequined black tank top. "What do you think?"
"The sheer black one," Davina said, "its more your style without completely selling out...no headbands. Leave your hair down, it's so pretty like this. And maybe wear a long necklace. And," She looked at the two skirts Ella held up and pair of pants, "Silver skirt with heels."
"Perfect, see I needed you!" Ella smiled at her, "And..." she pulled out a drawing. "Olivia gave this to me...I thought you might want to have it."
Davina took the drawing, "She has talent."
"Like her sister," Ella said, quietly. "How's the magic coming?"
"I'm learning alot. I just wish I had someone to teach me besides from a book."
"Would you normally be taught?"
"Yes and no. I went to public school like Olivia."
"And nobody knew you are missing?"
Davina shrugged, "I'm sure the coven made some sort of believable story."
Ella sighed, "What does Marcel say?"
"That I have to stay here to be safe."
"And Elijah?"
"That if I do magic for him, he will let me out."
"But is it safe to be out?"
"Elijah is an original vampire. The Mikaelsons could keep me safe."
"But Marcel doesn't trust them and you trust Marcel?" Ella asked.
Davina nodded, "But I am frustrated at him because I could go out some."
"I know you are bored," Ella said, "I can't imagine how much so. I did bring you some more movies. This weekend, I can sneak in and we can watch one together."
"That would be great."
"Good, it's a date then." Ella slid of the bed, "I should be going."
"Ella?"
"Yeah?" Ella turned back.
"Be careful, okay?"
"Of course."
Eloise should have known better. Dinner was great. There was an easy rapport between the two of them. Yet the minute, he turned them down the dimly lit alley and told her not to be afraid, her stomach dropped to her feet.
"Don't be afraid of what?" Ella asked, her voice shaking.
"This."
"Stay back!" Ella backed up running as she saw the fangs, the creased forehead. "No."
"You can't outrun me." He whooshed in closer to her. "It will be done in a few minutes."
She screamed and ran as fast as she could but the heals that she had worn tripped her up and she fell, her silver skirt tearing on them.
"Oh God, no, please!" she gasped as she felt him nearing, his teeth nearing her neck as she tried to tuck in her head.
He hovered over her, his mouth about to capture her neck when he suddenly fell on top of her, causing her to topple onto her back, the blood splattering on her as his head was dismembered from his body.
Eloise screamed.
"Eloise, calm yourself now." Elijah's voice was stern. "We do not need the complications of people running to your aid."
"E...E...Elijah." She stuttered as her eyes adjusted as Elijah stepped out of the shadows, "Is that you?"
"It is I," Elijah wiped his hand on a handkerchief and then bent down beside her, moving the dismembered corpse off of her as he did. "Did he harm you?" He reached to push aside her hair and examine her neck for a bite.
She shook her head, "He didn't have the chance." she shuddered. "Can you get him away from me? Please. And his head. Oh God. I just ate dinner and..."
"Say no more. Just don't ruin my suit if you are going to vomit on me," Elijah moved the body away from her and then went back to crouch next to her. He reached to feel her cheek and then her forehead, "You are clammy. I was only kidding about my suit, I happen to have an excellent dry cleaner if so needed."
Her mouth dropped open, "What does your dry cleaner think when you keep bringing her suits with blood stains?" she blurted out, aghast.
He chuckled at her reaction, "I compel her, naturally."
"Oh, that makes sense. I should have thought of that." She bit her lip and forced herself to take a breath...and then another, trying to still the race of her heart and the tears that threatened to erupt.
"Are you alright?" His voice was kind and his eyes met hers.
"No." Ella's tears filled her eyes, "I'm sorry I screamed."
"I would have been shocked if you did not do so."
"I'm trying to hold it together."
"A very admirable attempt indeed," Elijah reached and took her hand and began to rub it along her pressure points, trying to calm her because he was quite attune to the quick thumping of her heart and her breathing she was trying to get under control, "I'm very sorry, Eloise, I did not have time to kill him sensibly. I can only imagine what you are thinking now..."
"Well...I suppose..." Then, she paused, "Is there ever a way to kill sensibly?" she asked, aghast.
An amused smile was fleeting, so much so she thought she might be seeing things.
"With less blood," he clarified. "What were you doing with him?" his eyes searched hers intently, his hand still in hers.
"I had a date." She was aware of his hand in hers and how she didn't want him to let go.
"A date?" Elijah questioned.
"I know it's shocking," Ella's eyes moved to the gruesome sight and gagged.
"No. Don't look at him," Elijah advised. "Look at me. Good girl."
"He was going to bite me and suck my blood."
"Presumably so."
"Would he have killed me? Was I going to die tonight?"
"I don't know."
"You killed him before he could hurt me."
"I did." Elijah's studied her carefully, "I told you before. I will never let any one harm you. And I always keep my word."
"But how did you know I was here?"
"Davina. She was concerned and asked me to check on you. She wouldn't tell me why."
"That girl is so damn smart," Ella said, shaking.
"You are trembling. Come. We must leave here. We cannot be seen with him. There are consequences for killing vampires in the quarter."
"I have blood all over me," Ella frowned, her eyes becoming wide at the sight of the blood covering her. "Isn't there are rule about targeting locals? Why did he do this?"
"There is a rule," Elijah retorted, grimly, "This was obviously an unfortunate exception. Come with me. We must leave here. And quickly." He rose and offered her his hand, but Ella hesitated, prompting Elijah to say with a hint of impatience. "Now, please, Eloise."
"But where are we going?" she asked as she put her hand in his and he pulled her to her feet, his movements swift and strong and then balancing her when she swayed.
He reached out to gently move the hair out of her face, "Do not fear."
"That's what he said."
"Ah," Elijah tipped up her chin, "But neither of us can compel you. I'm asking you not to be afraid right now. And to trust my word. I am not going to let anybody bring harm to you, Eloise. But this is a delicate situation...one that we must work to rectify as soon as possible."
"Okay," she nodded, letting the gentleness of his touch and his tone soothe her fear.
He firmly took her arm, leading her though the streets at a brisk pace, Ella struggling to keep up with him. It was hard enough walking in heals normally, but almost impossible at a brisk pace.
"Try to keep up," he said, looking down at her feet. "Did your heel break?"
"No," Ella shifted, "I just never wear heels and I am so completely clumsy walking in them."
"I see," he said, without further comment, but his grip tightened on her, keeping her going in a forward motion and making sure she did not stumble.
"Thank you, by the way," she said, her face twinging with color.
"You are welcome," he glanced at her, "Where did you meet him?"
"On the internet."
He paused, nearly causing her her fall, at the abruptness of his shift in motion. "On the internet?" his voice was aghast, "In this world we are living in, you thought it was a wise endeavor to subject yourself to the whims of a man you have never met?"
"Lots of people meet online these days," Ella defended.
"Yes, but in this city?" Elijah pressed, his frown deep as his eyes met hers. "After we discussed the darkness that embodies this very place?"
"I just thought..." Ella paused, her face red at his censure, "I'm too shy for my own good. It is easier for me than..."
"Striking up a conversation at a local coffeehouse?"
"That's different. I was working."
"I am just offering the opinion that you might not be as introverted as you feel you are." He paused, "I do not mean to scold, my dear, but as your friend..."
"Are we friends?" Ella interrupted.
"I did thought we were...at least before what happened at St. Anne's. Was I mistaken?"
"No, of course not," Ella blushed further. "And maybe we still are. I don't know. I...I was just under the impression that you don't make friends."
"From whom?"
"Father O'Connell."
"Hum," Elijah's frown was deeper, "Well, come along then."
"Where are we going?" Ella asked, asked they walked quicker.
"I'm taking you to my home."
"Like with your siblings?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure that is wise?" Ella bit her lip.
"No, but my brother Niklaus will know how to handle Marcel to ensure this does not happen again. It was a pre-mediated attack and if that word should get out, it will disturb the peace of the quarter...a peace that is already very fragile between the factions...given, well, recent developments." He paused again, his grip tight on her arm, "They will not hurt you. My car is around the corner. Come now."
She nodded and allowed Elijah to lead her away.
"Eloise," Elijah didn't attempt to remove his hand from her arm, "Meet my family. My sister Rebekah, my brother Niklaus, but he is better know as Klaus in the quarter. And this is Hayley."
"Hello." Ella croaked as she looked around and nodded. She instinctively inched in Elijah's direction, his arm still protectively on her.
Smiling at her, "They look frightening, the way they are staring so inhospitably at you, my dear, but I assure you, no one will attack you here." He patted her arm once before letting it go and taking his coat off.
He eyed his siblings as he shook out his coat and then draped it on the chair, "Eloise has had quite the trying experience, do not make it worse."
"What is the meaning of this?" Klaus came closer to them, eying Ella with a suspicious frown.
"There was trouble in the quarter tonight," Elijah said, quietly, "I stopped a premediated attack against Eloise. And I killed one of our own, which means..."
"Ah, yes, I know what it means," Klaus continued to study her. "But to bring her here? Have you lost your mind, brother?"
"No, I assure you my faculties are quite intact. Eloise is harmless," Elijah said, his voice firm, "If not a bit naivee, at times, but I dare say that isn't a crime you should concern yourself with." He gave her the side eye and she couldn't help but feel she was being scolded again. "If Marcel's men are attacking locals, then it must be dealt with...swiftly. Before the humans and the witches find out."
"I do not disagree, but how do we know she is being truthful?"
"I saw the attack upon her person myself," Elijah retorted. "And I am acquainted with her...before all of this dreadful business tonight."
Klaus raised an eyebrow, "Are you? How well acquainted are you, brother?"
Eloise blushed and Elijah retorted swiftly, "It is not as you imply, brother. Eloise is a friend."
"Ah," Rebekah smiled, "This is who you took to the Opera, was it not?"
"It was."
"I see," Klaus frowned again, "You are a local. What do you do for a living?" he fixed her with a stare and Ella sensed that she was under interrogation.
Ella swallowed hard, "I'm a second grade teacher."
Rebekah came up beside them all, "Do you teach little children? How lovely. What do you teach them?"
She cleared her throat, "Reading, writing, math... history...the usual."
"Do you feel you are qualified to teach history?" Klaus asked, the scowl deepening.
The night had been so incredibly trying for Eloise that it as if something in her snapped, the shock wearing off and the frustrating taken over. Her look was pointed, "Well, maybe not as qualified as one of you all, but..."
"Do you enjoy your work?" Rebekah interrupted, smoothly.
"Of course," Eloise said, with a small smile, "Children can be very entertaining. And they don't judge quite as swiftly as adults which I find endearing."
Elijah lifted up a hand, "Eloise, my dear...please." He turned to Klaus, who was beginning to offer a retort, "No, my dear brother, I must insist that you listen to what I have to say. Eloise can be trusted."
Rebekah offered, "You must forgive my brother's manners, Eloise. He is suspicious by nature."
"Call me Ella...everyone does..." she paused, "except for Elijah."
Klaus titled his head, "How did you and my brother meet?"
"I work at a coffee house on weekends and holidays..."
"Which is how we met," Elijah said. He gave a long suffering sigh, "You see brother, she is quite harmless. You can stop eying her with such suspicion. You are embarrassing her."
Klaus stared at her for another minute before saying, "Forgive me, love." He turned back to Elijah, "Marcel will want proof of her word."
She nodded, "Do you have a computer? I can show you."
Klaus shook his head, "No."
"You don't?" Eloise titled her head in shock.
Hayley finally rose, her hand on her belly. "The Mikaelsons are very stuck in their ways. No internet either."
"Oh, well," Ella said, shrugging, "that's okay. I can go home and get mine and show you the dating website I used. I can call an uber or borrow Elijah's car..."
"What's an Uber?" Rebekah asked.
"It's a driver you hire to take you places," Hayley said.
Eloise grimaced at Elijah's censuring look, "Perhaps, not the best idea in this city...I wasn't thinking." She bit her thumb. "Can I borrow your car then?"
Rebekah laughed, "Bloody unlikely Elijah would let you...or he would must be really taken with you, Ella. Elijah lets no one drive his car."
Elijah shot his sister a look, "Of course, I will drive you back into the quarter myself."
"That isn't really necessary."
"No, I must insist," Elijah said, his voice firm, "You will not venture into the quarter at this hour, unaccompanied."
Ella turned to him, this time frowning, "But the quarter is my home. It is getting late and I have to work in the morning. I'm a big girl, I doubt..."
"No," Klaus interrupted, with finality. "Elijah is right. It is getting far too late for you to go alone. He and I will accompany you and then confront Marcel." He eyed the blood on her neck and arms, "He will want to hear your account and I think it might be wise for you to clean up a bit. He will not appreciate the sight of the blood of one of his men on your person."
"I didn't cause this."
"Of course, you did not," Elijah soothed, his hand returning to her arm. "But as I said earlier, peace at the moment is fragile. Do you understand my meaning?"
Ella nodded. "I will try to reel in my very justifiable righteous frustration and let you handle the matter, Elijah. God knows you have the experience to."
Elijah chuckled and Rebekah smirked.
"She is a quick study," Klaus said, with a grin.
"Eloise, dear," Elijah's voice was patient, "You have to invite us in."
Eloise turned. She eyed Klaus who gave her a smile, amused.
"She is a spunky one, Elijah," Klaus said. "I assure you that you will not regret it on my account, but you are wise to be cautious."
"Come on in, then," Ella said as she opened the door wider and then began to clean up the papers around the small studio apartment. "Sorry for the mess."
"Do you live alone?" Klaus asked.
"All my friends kind of scattered after college. It's not much, but on a teacher's salary..." her voice trailed off. "I usually don't have company." she twisted her hair, a small sign that she was agitated by the presence of the two men in her apartment. "The computer is right here."
She stepped over to the kitchen table and reached for the computer, leaning over to type in the password.
Klaus picked up a piece of paper, a small smile over his face, "Is this supposed to be your likeness, Eloise?"
Ella looked up and the primitive drawing one of her students made, "Can you not see it?"
Elijah went over to study the paper of Ella at her messy desk, papers scattered everywhere, and the students around her, "Surprisingly, yes. She captured your personality quite well."
Eloise giggled, "Why do you say that? Maybe because of the papers scattered everywhere?"
Elijah titled his head, contemplatively, "You are in need a housekeeper, Eloise. Or a bigger place."
"We could compel someone," Klaus offered. "Would be not problem, at all to do so."
"That's unnecessary," Ella said, with a small smile, "It's loading now. Sorry, it's being slow."
Elijah walked over to the piano crammed in the corner of the room, "You do not have a bed, yet you have the piano in here?" He played a few notes on it.
Ella shrugged, "The couch is fine to sleep."
"You sleep on the couch?" Klaus asked, his eyes studying her.
"Why not?"
Klaus looked at her pictures on the wall, "Is this your family?"
"Yes. I was raised by my grandparents. They were from New Orleans but moved when my parents died. They never liked that I came back here for college, but they both died since, so it's just me around. Here," she handed the laptop to Klaus. "You can look through this. I need to clean up."
She went to the bathroom, grabbing a towel and wetting it, beginning to wipe the blood off her arms. Her movements became frantic as she looked in the mirror to the sight of how covered she was- and the memory of what happened became flooding back at her. She felt helpless to prevent the tears which sprang to her eyes.
Elijah looked at the computer Klaus was holding then Eloise, who was fiercely scouring the the blood off her skin.
Klaus met Elijah's eyes and then inclined his head towards the bathroom. It was at that moment, that Elijah realized Klaus saw in Eloise what he did...the intriguing power of her sweetness, her innocence, the light that radiated out of her...yet her intelligence and wit. There was much more under the shyness that she had used as a shield for so long. It was becoming an intoxicating combination for him. Each meeting made him want to seek her out more.
He stepped across the room, "Allow me." He reached out his hand for the towel. Her eyes met his. He nodded his encouragement and she handed him the towel as she turned back towards the mirror. He moved to stand behind her in the small bathroom and then reached around her and turned on the water to wet it again. "Lift your hair for me. There is blood on the back of your neck."
"I think I must have turned my head when I figured out what was happening," Eloise murmured as she lifted her hair into a ponytail, twisting it out of the way. "I should have known."
"What should you have known?" Elijah stepped closer behind her, looking at her face in the mirror.
"I guess that it was all too easy for it to be real, you know?"
"If you are implying that you are not a woman capable of capturing the attention of any man, except a man with nefarious motivations, then I do not think it is at all an accurate assessment of your person," Elijah said, quietly. "I am, however, concerned that you could have been a target."
"Why would you say that?" Eloise craned her neck around.
"Stay still." He began to gently scrub the blood off her neck. He was close and suddenly she was filled with a foreign feeling in the pit of her stomach, capturing her with an intensity. She stiffened.
"Eloise," Elijah murmured under his breath and then met her eyes in the mirror. "You do not have to fear me so."
"Father O'Connell says that you and Klaus and your siblings...you are the most powerful, dangerous of your kind. Since you cannot be killed- that makes you to be feared by all kinds of factions in New Orleans."
"He is not wrong," Elijah said, his voice low, "But you and I are friends, are we not? I do not attack my friends." He paused, leaning over her and wetting the cloth again, "Are you happy here?"
"I don't need alot of stuff to be happy," Ella said, softly.
"Of course not, but that is not what I asked."
"I miss having friends. It's been hard staying while everyone left. And without a family..." She paused, "I did something stupid, but it is because I'm lonely."
She turned around to face him.
He nodded. "You need to change," he reached to lightly finger the end of her long necklace which dangled low, nipping underneath her breasts. "You looked very pretty tonight, Eloise."
"Thank you."
He reached for a hair tie that was lying on the counter. "Tie your hair up into a bun, so you don't have to take a shower."
"There is blood in my hair, isn't there?" Eloise took the tie and quickly tied her hair up into a high messy bun.
"Yes. A little. We don't have time for a shower, I'm afraid." He titled his head, "Choose sensible shoes."
"I'm wearing sneakers. And joggers."
"Perhaps not that sensible, love," Klaus said, from his perch on the couch and Eloise almost jumped, startled because she had forgotten he was there. "Marcel might be more apt to listen to you if you...well, take advantage of your assets."
"That would assume I have assets in which to persuade him," Eloise titled her head at Klaus's smirk and then rolled her eyes, "Noted, no teacher frump to see Marcel."
"Charming," Elijah drawled but looked quite amused by the whole exchange.
"It's the best I can do."
"You have assets, Eloise, but you choose not to flaunt them," Klaus said.
"Maybe my brain is my biggest asset."
"Undoubtedly so, my dear Eloise, and usually I am the most ardent feminist. Yet in this case, I do believe my brother is right."
"Fine," Eloise reached for the sequined tank top in the bag and a pair of red capri pants and grabbed a pair of shoes. "I'll just be a minute."
Elijah nodded, "Take your time." Eloise shut herself in the bathroom and Elijah went over to stand over Klaus.
"What are your thoughts?"
"I think we might have more of a problem that we realized. Marcel does not have control in the quarter like we thought."
He handed the computer to Elijah who studied the documents Klaus had gone through while Ella changed.
She came out, "How is this?"
Klaus looked over to her, taking in her appearance from the gold sculptured dangling earrings that looked great with her hair up to the wedges on her feet. "That will do just fine, Eloise."
"Call me Ella."
"I quite prefer Eloise. My brother calls you so."
"Fine, call me whatever you want, Niklaus."
Klaus laughed then. "Good God, Elijah. I see the appeal now. Eloise, love, come and look at this. I have a question for you."
Eloise twisted her bracelet and came to sit beside Klaus on the sofa, "What's up?"
"Who is this?" Klaus pointed to a man listed in her matches.
"I was matched with him as well, but I closed the match before we met. We really had little in common."
"I recognize him," Klaus said.
"But..." Ella shifted, "Not all vampires have nefarious intentions towards humans, yes?"
"That is true," Elijah said, "We don't know. We simply know that the man you met tonight did."
"Which is why we need to see Marcel." Klaus stood, "So come along, sweetheart. Sooner we get this sorted, the better. Marcel is going to be livid when he finds that one of his men was attacked and it is best if we set the record straight of what happened."
Ella bit her lip, "Elijah won't get in trouble, will he?"
Klaus raised an eyebrow, "Do not worry, little one. Elijah is more than capable of standing up to the likes of Marcel. We practically raised him, you know. He's gotten a little too self assured for my tastes."
"That is what Elijah said."
"Well, you know...great minds. " Klaus nodded at her, "May I take this to Marcel?"
Eloise nodded.
"Very good. Lock up. I will meet you two downstairs."
Ella reached for her keys, the chains dangling, clicking together before sliding her keys into her pocket.
"Here, I'll hold your keys for you. They could easily be taken from you without your knowledge."
"I can go get my bag. I just thought the less I had the better."
"No, you are right," Elijah took her keys from her and put them in his jacket pocket. He reached for her arm. "Eloise, there will most likely be vampires feeding on tourists tonight at Marcel's compound. They won't touch you, but stay near me or Niklaus at all times."
"Did Niklaus really dagger you and keep you in a coffin for weeks?"
"Yes," Elijah and her walked down the stairs, "And that wasn't the first time. My siblings and I have all been daggered by Niklaus from time to time."
"Why?" Ella titled her head.
"My brother doesn't trust easily. Don't concern yourself with it. He seems to like you and since you couldn't harm a fly, I do not think he will give you much thought. I will ensure your safety, Eloise."
She nodded.
Ella's stomach sunk in horror as the loud music filled her ears and the sights of vampires, dancing and feeding filled her eyes.
She stopped walking immediately, hovering at the entrance.
"Come on, love," Klaus coaxed, in her ear, "It is just a party. You will accustom yourself to seeing such things if you insist on hanging around my brother for long."
"Now, Niklaus, you must give her a moment to get her bearings."
"I do not think a minute will suffice, Elijah," Klaus said, wryly.
Elijah frowned at his brother and then reached for Ella's hand. He squeezed it tightly and her head turned towards him. He nodded at her, his eyes capturing hers.
"Are you ready to find Marcel?"
She nodded and forced a smile and Elijah began to lead her through the partying vampires, his hand firmly grasping hers...Klaus behind them.
They found Marcel at the bar. He stood in surprise.
"Why did you bring her here? Are you out of your mind?"
"Manners, Marcellus," Elijah said, with a raised eyebrow.
Marcel eyed Eloise's flush of her face and her hand in Elijah's, "Did you compel her?"
"Of course not," Elijah said. "She is here out of her own free will. She is on vervain. She cannot be compelled."
"Is that so?" Marcel leaned across the bar and whispered to the bartender. He turned back to Eloise, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Ella managed to get out. "At least, I am fine now."
"We need to talk, Marcellus" Klaus said, "Privately."
"Of course," he took the drink from the bartender, "Margarita. It should cool you off." He handed it to Ella.
"Thank you."
"Of course." He reached for the whisky, "And for my very good friends." He handed both Klaus and Elijah a drink. "We can talk upstairs."
He lead them upstairs and then cleared the room for them.
"Sit, please," Marcel said and Ella sat next to Elijah on the couch, Klaus close by and Marcel across from them. Ella took a long sip of her drink and then put it on a coaster on the side table.
Klaus opened up the computer, "We will get right to it then. Eloise was threatened tonight. Fortunately, Elijah rescued her before she was attacked and any damage was done."
Marcel frowned, "My guys know not to attack locals."
"Apparently, this one didn't receive the memo," Klaus said, dryly. He handed the computer to Marcel. "Recognize him?"
"Yeah, that's Chris."
"Well, apparently, Chris here thought Eloise was too delectable a treat to pass on," Klaus said. "He is dead now."
Marcel turned to Elijah, "Did you kill him?"
"I did what I must. And I would do it again. You do not have control of the vampires of this quarter...clearly. There are others we recognize on here. What is to stop them from feeding on the locals?"
"My rule."
"Apparently not," Elijah said.
Marcel paused, and then shook his head swiftly, "No. They might be using this, but they know not to pursue locals." He turned to Ella. "Ella, did he say anything suspicious to you?"
"No," She shook her head, "I mean, he seemed completely normal. And I actually really liked him."
"Yeah, Chris was a charmer." Marcel frowned, "He must have thought he could compel you and no one would know better of it."
"Apparently so," Elijah pick a piece of lint off his tie and flicked it. "The human faction will be a problem if word of this gets out. Especially over as dear of a human as Eloise is."
"Elijah...I'm not that popular." Eloise blushed.
"You are with who matters," Klaus said, quietly.
"I will take care of it," Marcel said. "You two will do nothing...more than you already did."
Klaus held up his hands, "We wouldn't dare interfere further, Marcellus," his tone dripped sarcasm.
Marcel rose and handed the computer back to Klaus and they all rose. Marcel strode over to Ella and took her hand, kissing it gallantly.
"Ella, allow me to apologize for tonight. I don't want you to get the wrong impression of us though. I am throwing a party tomorrow. The Mikaelsons are already coming...why don't you come with Elijah? It's a twenties style...it should be roaring."
She laughed at the reference, "Are you sure?"
"There will be representatives from all factions...it is to show that we can all live in peace. Come. You will see what control I do have and that you needn't fear any longer. It will be handled."
"So you believe me?"
"Of course, I do," Marcel said, nodding. "But from now on, as a general rule, I'd stay away from this online dating. There are other supernatural beings in this quarter and I cannot vouch for you who may meet. It just isn't a great idea, you know?"
Eloise let out a long breath, "Yeah, I suppose I do."
Eloise's shoulders slumped as she pulled out her keys to unlock the door. She turned back to Elijah and looked at him, the emotions so clearly splayed across her face...and the indecision which plagued her.
"If you do not wish to be alone, I could not fault you for that," Elijah said, his voice low.
"Will you come in? I know it's late."
"Of course," Elijah nodded. "I'd be happy to."
Eloise pushed opened the door to her studio and threw her keys on the table. "I wish I had something to drink besides tea..."
Elijah smiled, "I'll make you tea, Eloise. You shower and get ready for bed."
"Do you know how to make tea?"
"I have been around..." Elijah said, dryly.
"Okay, just making sure..." she reached to discreetly grab a few things to bring into the bathroom with her, "Make yourself at home."
"I will do so. Your tea will be ready for you when you are out."
When Eloise came out again, towel drying her hair, Elijah was sitting in the arm chair, a book in hand.
She laughed at the sight of Elijah reading The Time Traveler's Wife.
"What do you think?"
Elijah snapped the book shut, "There are no words for it, my dear Eloise." He looked at her plaid pajama pants and navy t-shirt that read "Je Suis Prest."
"What is that a reference to?" Elijah asked, pointing to her shirt.
"Outlander," Eloise smiled as she reached for the tea and slid onto the couch, tucking a leg underneath her, "I would say we could watch it together, but there are some parts I'm not sure we should see together. It's hot as New Orleans on the hottest summer day...which is pretty scorching." She blushed, "Anyway, there is only one season but I'm pretty addicted to it."
Elijah raised both eyebrows, "You do surprise me, Ella."
"I may be innocent in alot of ways, Elijah, but I'm not a nun." she took a sip of the tea, "Thank you for making this."
"Of course. It was my pleasure."
"5 am is going to come awfully soon," Eloise groaned. "And it's Friday."
"Can you call in sick tomorrow?"
"Oh, no, writing the lesson plans would take me all night," Eloise said. "Oh, crap. I don't have anything to wear tomorrow night. I was thinking I could take a nap but now I have to go shopping..."
"Don't worry about it. I will send you something to wear."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Rebekah can help. Take your nap tomorrow after work."
She smiled at him. "Thank you."
"Eloise..." Elijah fiddled with his tie and the leaned forward, "Do you have any questions for me?"
She nodded, "If you don't mind..."
"Of course, I do not. I will tell you what you want to know."
"The people that the vampires were feeding on tonight..." Eloise took a sip of her tea and then put it down on the side table. "They aren't going to kill the tourists they were feeding on, are they?"
"No. They will feed and compel them to forget. Granted sometimes tourists get caught in unfortunate circumstances but in general, that is Marcel's rule."
"It makes me really uncomfortable."
"I noticed," Elijah stood and went to sit next to her on the couch. He gently reached out and turned her head towards him, "Vampires desiccate without blood sources. It is a deep abiding want, but it is also a need."
"Okay," Eloise looked in Elijah's eyes, "I'm trying to...accept this new world I have discovered. But it's not easy letting go of what I thought was true. Do you get what I am saying?"
"It shocks you."
"Yes." She moved her chin away but Elijah gently prodded it back, so she was forced to look at him again.
"And is it something that you think that you can learn to tolerate, if not accept?"
"I can try." She paused, "If only because of Davina and Olivia and my other students who I don't even know whose families are witches or werewolves. It's better that I know so I can meet their needs...strategically of course. You didn't bring me into your world, Elijah, I was already there...you just brought awareness to it. And I do think in the long run, it's better for me...to know, than to be ignorant."
He dropped his hand, "You have much to offer, Eloise."
"If I can stop being so rattled by everything."
He nodded, "Give yourself time. You had a trying experience tonight."
"I should sleep."
"Would you like me to stay until you fall asleep?"
"Do you mind?"
"Of course, I don't."
Eloise went to the closet to grab her pillow and blanket.
"Here, hand me your blanket," Elijah reached for it. "Lie down."
"Are you going to tuck me in?" Ella asked, amused.
"I figured it is the least I could do after all that has happened...especially if you are going to insist on sleeping on a couch instead of an actual bed."
Ella threw her pillow on the couch and then lay down and Elijah spread out the blanket over her. She turned on her side as he sat back in her arm chair.
"Do you truly sleep well like that?"
Ella sighed, "No, but I got rid of my bed when my grandparents died. I didn't want to give up the piano. They played it so well and it's some of my happiest memories, listening to music. Perhaps I am a sentimental fool...but I couldn't bear not to have it."
"No. It doesn't seem foolish at all. I just wish you didn't have to compromise your bed for it."
"I really don't mind."
"Do you play?"
"A little. I always wanted to learn more, but they never had the time to teach me and...well, we couldn't really afford lessons." She yawned. "I have so many regrets."
"You are far too young to say that, Eloise," Elijah said, quietly. "And sweet."
Ella's eyes drooped, "Thank you for staying."
"You're welcome. Go to sleep now."
"My spare key is by the door."
"I lock up and return your key to you tomorrow."
"Thank you."
"Sweet dreams, Eloise."
She fell asleep then and Elijah waited a few minutes before leaning over her head, kissing her forehead softly.
"Is Eloise all tucked in for the night, brother?" Klaus asked, handing him a goblet of blood.
"Yes," Elijah took a drink and sat down next to Rebekah on the sofa and unbuttoned his coat jacket.
"She seems very sweet, Elijah," Rebekah said.
"And funny," Klaus said, "Her wit is surprising considering her introverted nature."
"She knows your friend, brother. Camille, is it?"
"Does she now?" Klaus asked, "How is that?"
"The quarter is small, but she was very close with Camille's brother."
"The murderer of all those priests?" Rebekah asked, draining her glass.
"That's the one," Klaus said. "She frequents St. Anne's then."
"She does."
"I'm sure Father O'Connell is thrilled at her association with you, brother."
"I assume he must be," Elijah said, dryly. He turned and put his hand on Rebekah's knee. "My dear sister, I need a favor."
"Oh, what is it?"
"Marcel invited Eloise to his party tomorrow and she doesn't have a dress for the occasion."
"Why don't you tell her that I will pick her up? She and I can go through my closet. I have my outfit picked out but I would be happy to help Ella. And perhaps, get to know her better. She clearly has captivated you, that is for certain."
"Do you think so?" Elijah swished his drink around.
"It is quite obvious, brother," Klaus said. "But we know you like to hold your cards close to your chest. Do be careful, though. She isn't the type to turn a blind eye to certain proclivities. She was shocked by Marcel's compound. If you didn't take her by the hand, I doubt she would have been able to move."
Rebekah chuckled, "Poor girl. Tell me you warned her."
"I did so, but it is another thing to experience it."
"And you think it is wise for her to go tomorrow?" Klaus asked.
"I think we couldn't refuse Marcel's invitation, especially considering the circumstances. Eloise will be well. She will have all of us."
"Does that mean we can't partake in some of the fun?" Rebekah asked, her lip pouting.
"It means nothing of the sort," Klaus said, "Just make sure to keep your eye on her, though I am sure our dear brother, will keep both of his eyes on her and his hand."
"Now Niklaus..." Elijah fixed him with a stare. "You will be nice to her."
"Was I not nice to her tonight?" Niklaus asked, "You mistake me, brother, I like her. I just don't see how she can be any use to us."
"My dear brother," Elijah drawled, "Not every association has to be an asset." He stood, "I happen to like Eloise...much for that very reason. Probably much similar to your infatuation with the fair Camille." He drained his glass and then leaned down to kiss Rebekah's cheek. "I will be up early tomorrow. I wish you a good night."
"Brother?" Klaus's words stopped him in the doorway as he turned back towards him, "Take her some beignets. It's the least you can do after all this trouble."
He smiled at his brother before turning to go to sleep.