Chapter 6
Eloise pivoted at the last minute and decided sneaking around back would be the safer option than going through the front door. She slowly and carefully unlatched the white picket fence, praying it would not squeak and cause a noise that could alert people to her arrival. The back door led into the kitchen and Eloise peaked into the window. Her heart skipping a beat to see a terrified Olivia crouched in a fetal position underneath the kitchen table. Elijah should be here any second, but she couldn't...she wouldn't let Olivia remain so terrified and alone.
Looking down at her phone, she text Elijah...
Come Around Back. Olivia hiding in kitchen. Going in.
She suspect he or Klaus would freak when seeing it, but seeing a child in need, it went against her instinct not to attempt to protect them.
She reached for the door knob, finding it unlocked. She pushed it open, quietly and tip-toed in. She reached for Olivia, stooping down next to her.
Olivia made a noise and Ella put her finger to her lips, "Shh."
She waited a minute and then crawled under the table with her.
"Olivia, sweetheart." She whispered.
"Ms. Trahan!" Olivia clung to her as Eloise held her. "You have to go, Ms. Trahan!" she whispered, loudly.
"What is going on?" she whispered, urgently.
"They want Mama to do a spell. She is preparing now- trying to stall them. They want to find Davina so the harvest can be complete. Mama tried to say that Davina must have been under heavy protection spells that she cannot get around without dark magic, but they are forcing her. They say it will give them the upper hand over the Mikealsons. I do not know what they mean." She paused, stilling. Her eyes were wide and she put a finger over her lips, "Shh. We have to be quiet."
"Who?" Eloise asked, her hand on Olivia's back. "Who is here? Witches?"
"Vampires. They can hear us."
"Vampires?' Eloise's heart hammered. "Go, Olivia. Run. I will cover you."
"But, they said they would kill mama if I left. I have to stay."
"It's okay. Just stay right here." She pulled out her phone and quickly typed a message, handing it to Olivia. She reached out to smooth Olivia's hair.
Let them in.
"What do we have here?" Before she even could comprehend what was happening, a menacing looking vampire whooshed in and reached to grab her arm, pulling her out from under the table, across the kitchen and into the living room full of vampires with Mrs. Clair in the center. "Look who I found."
"Ms. Trahan!" Olivia's mother looked up. "Do not kill her!" she pleaded, "The spell is almost ready and then you can let us all go! I just need a few more minutes."
Ella's heart was pounding through her chest as she surveyed the scene. A hoard of vampires filling the living and dining room and Olivia's mom, trying to set up a circle of candles, a spell book in front of her.
"And who are you?" Another vampire sauntered up to her.
"I'm a teacher," Eloise tried not to tremble as he bared his teeth. "That little girl who you are scaring to death in the kitchen, I'm her teacher."
"Feeding time," The vampire smiled at her, "I'm hungry. We can take turns. We have been stuck here a while with no blood."
Eloise cringed at the thought and both of the vampires laughed.
The vampire leader descended upon her neck but Eloise blurted out, "How is the harvest going to kelp you with Niklaus and Elijah Mikaelson?"
He stopped in his tracks, "What do you know about that?"
"I know all about that," Ella said. "I probably know more than you do about both the Harvest and the Mikealsons."
"Do you know the Mikaelsons?"
"Of course. Elijah is..." she paused, trying to stall for time without putting out too much information about their association. "Well, Elijah is...'
"Yes?"
"Elijah is..."
"Quite put out with you at this moment, my darling Eloise." His voice was even and clear, and radiated calm and power. He weaved his way through the vampires, "Do excuse me. Thank you," he pushed people out of the way to get closer to Ella. "I do believe I told you not to come in until I arrived. Three minutes and I do believe, according to be calculations," he looked down at his watch, "I arrived in two. Did I not?"
Eloise let out a long breath, "Elijah." She was so relieved to see him, looking so completely at ease and in control and yet...she still was aware that she was being held fast by the vampire. "I'm in a little situation here." She was craning her neck away from the vampire, who was currently easing towards her neck.
"I can see that, darling," Elijah said, lightly. "No worries. I am certain we can get this sorted out since we are among friends, are we not?"
"How did you get in here?" a voice piped up.
"I have my ways," Elijah said, unbuttoning his jacket and then purposefully adjusting his sleeves. And seeing from where he came in, Eloise knew that Olivia had let him in...and she sure Klaus would follow.
"Elijah Mikaelson," the vampire leader practically spat, but the others were quite subdued.
"The one and only," Elijah smiled, widely as the vampires spread out away from him. "What is going on here?" he asked in the center of the room, "A witch, a human, and a bunch of vampires."
"A recipe for trouble if you ask me," Niklaus rushed in with a smile. He eyed a trembling Ella who was now being held more roughly by a vampire, his teeth close to her neck. His eyes met hers for a moment, his look pointed. She was not to try anything. "Eloise, sweetheart, you do not follow orders very well. But no matter, I am sure there will be ample time to address that matter with you later on." He eyed the vampires the adjoining rooms.
"I require answers," Elijah circled the center of the room. His voice was light, almost playful. He purposely did not look in Eloise's direction, fearing what he might do. He could sense her fear- and he knew it was only drawing the desire for the feed. He was confident Klaus and him could take down all the vampires in the room if necessary, but he wasn't confident that Ella would not be attacked in the process.
"They wish to bring about the Harvest," Olivia's mom said.
"Silence!" the leader snapped. "The way I see it...it is all of us against the two of you."
"Yeah, but they are originals" one of the vamps exclaimed and the others murmured their agreement.
"Why would you want to do such a thing as that?" Klaus asked, ignoring the threat.
"It is a dreadfully nasty business," Elijah said, frowning, "And it is witch business. Why does that concern you lot?" He paused, as no one offered answers, "Why the silence?"
"They think it will hurt your baby," Olivia blurted out as another vampire dragged her in, his fangs out and close to her neck.
Elijah and Niklaus both saw the vampire's stance as an idle threat, but Eloise all out panicked at the thought of sweet Olivia being fed upon.
"Olivia! Use your magic!" Eloise screamed as she struggled to get to Olivia. The whole house began to shake, pictures flying off the wall. After that, it was complete chaos as Olivia's mom cast a spell to try to control the magic from destroying the house. Elijah and Klaus sprung to action as they were attacked in all directions, furniture flying.
"Olivia," Ella used the distraction to go to reach for her, pushing her out towards the kitchen. "Run now! Go!"
"Ms. Trahan, come with me!" Olivia gripped her hand.
"No, just go!" Ella was pulled back from the waist, by a vampire, and she could feel the tips of his fangs on her neck. She pulled away, flinging herself down with such force, she startled him. She did not know where that bout of supernatural strength came from, but it left her as soon as it came.
"Elijah!" Ella screamed out and Elijah was across the room as she was tackled to the ground. She couldn't breathe, he was crushing her with his weight.
"Niklaus, take Eloise to safety!" Elijah yelled at Klaus, who was closer. He pulled the vampire off of her, impaling him with a piece of wood, but as he did, Elijah was distracted and he got impaled himself.
"Elijah!" Eloise's eyes were wide as she struggled against Klaus, who had picked her up off the floor and was trying to drag her out of the house.
"He is fine," Klaus flung her over his shoulder and rushed out with the house with her, dropping her down the ground beside Olivia. "Stay here. Do not move. Or I will feed on you myself, do you understand me?"
"Olivia's mom...I need to..." Ella's breathing was labored. "I need to help...somehow."
"There is nothing you can do at the moment," Klaus said, gripping her face in his hands and shoving his face into her space, so they were nose to nose. "Pull yourself together, Eloise. And take care of the child."
She stared at him for a moment, his eyes boring into hers and she felt instantly more composed.
"I don't have my bracelet on," she murmured.
"Yes, you left me no choice. Do as I say."
Eloise reached for the child and Klaus rushed back inside.
A few minutes later, Elijah came out, his shirt splattered with blood. "Eloise, a word, please." he beckoned to her.
Eloise gently disentangled Olivia from her, "Stay here, sweetheart. I will be back in a minute. You are safe here, okay?" She put her bracelet on Olivia's wrist, tying it to her. "If this starts to get hot, go to the church and find Father Kieran, okay?"
Olivia nodded and Eloise pushed herself off the ground. Elijah gripped her arm and led her back into the house through the kitchen into the living room.
"Are you okay?" Eloise asked, looking at the spot where the piece of wood was in him.
Klaus snorted from his spot, sitting on the couch, flipping through a magazine. "He's fine, Eloise, love."
"Your brother compelled me, Elijah," Ella said, her eyes narrowing at Klaus.
"I would have done the same," Elijah's voice was quiet. "The danger you put yourself in..." he paused, drawing in a breath, "I cannot speak to you about this right now."
She glanced at him, "I thought...Elijah, I did not..." she paused, wanting peace between them and not liking the feeling of him being upset with her.
"Not now, sweetheart," Niklaus piped up, interrupting her. "Maybe we should paint," he showed Eloise the magazine, "Do you like?"
"Brother," Elijah drawled.
Ella took a step, her toe bumping into a body. She had been so focused on Elijah and Klaus, she ignored the state of the room. Se looked around the room, bodies of vampires laying around, "Are they all dead?" her voice shook. "Are you sure?"
Niklaus rolled his eyes, closing the magazine and tossing it to the table, "Permanently so. I can assure you that your neck is quite safe at the moment, little teacher."
Elijah reached out and touched her arm, gently. "Don't worry about them." His eyes traveled to across the room, Eloise following her gaze and gasped.
It was Mrs. Clair.
"What happened?" Eloise cried, stepping around the vampires, to stoop down to feel for a pulse. "Can you feed her your blood?"
"She is already dead," Klaus said, matter of factually.
"There is nothing we can do, Eloise," Elijah let out a breath, "I think she was running to get to Olivia and she was attacked. It was so chaotic, I am not sure how it happened. Only it did. We must take her body to her people so she can be consecrated in the graveyard."
"Consecrated?" Eloise's voice shook as she stood, "I don't understand."
"So she can join the ancestors in the great beyond," Klaus stood. "You must break it to the child."
Eloise bit her lip, tears springing to her eyes, "I...maybe I should get Father Kieran...and...I'm not sure...I am the best..."
Elijah cleared his throat, "I think it will be best coming from you, don't you think? Davina will need to know too."
Eloise closed her eyes, tightly and then took a deep breath, "There is protocol for such a thing. Olivia will be now taken by social services and..."
"Not tonight," Niklaus said, standing, his voice firm, "She needs to be with her sister tonight...with her family."
Ella looked to Elijah who nodded, "I agree."
"Okay then," she took another breath, trying to quiet the pain that was threatening to erupt. Because she remembered another conversation so long ago, before she was sent to live with her grandparents.
"Eloise?" Elijah frowned and stepped towards her. He reached for her hand, pulling her towards him, her stepping over bodies to be nearer to him. "What is it?"
She let out a long breath, "It's nothing."
"That's not true," he said, lightly.
"You're right. It is something, but I can't get into it now or I will never be able to do what needs to be done. I'll go talk to Olivia and then we can pack a bag and take her to the church. Maybe we can talk to Marcel and Josh. Davina will need some support and she loves both of them."
Klaus nodded, "Go care for the child, Eloise. We will wait for you."
Elijah squeezed her hand before letting it go and allowing Ella to go to Olivia.
But he did step into the kitchen and look out through the open door, watching Eloise with Olivia, talking in quiet tones, telling her the news. And holding Olivia as she sobbed against her chest.
Niklaus stepped beside him and watched as well, "When did Eloise's mother die?" he asked, quietly.
"I am not certain, but if I had to venture a guess, I would say probably close the age Olivia is."
"We must talk to her tonight, Elijah," Klaus said, his voice low. "It's gone on long enough. She will be better for it...and if she is vulnerable enough, she will allow it to happen."
"Yes, I do suppose you are right, brother" Elijah said. "But I do not like the thought of causing her such pain on top of the pain she feels right now, reliving her past."
"She will be stronger for it. She is too entrenched in all of this even if we commanded or compelled her away from us. And she will not survive if she continues to be crippled by her fear."
"I know the wisdom of your logic, brother."
"And yet you do not wish to do so...if you would like, I could be the one."
"No, it needs to be me," Elijah said, letting out a long breath. "I'm the only one she completely trusts and it has to be done without compulsion. After we deal with Olivia, I will take her home to change and then bring her back so we can all talk. I think she needs to hear it from both of us."
"I would not worry for her, brother. She is stronger than she seems."
"She is indeed."
"Mr. Mikealson?" Olivia went up to him when Elijah and Eloise went upstairs to pack a bag for Olivia. "I have to tell you something, but I don't want to make Ms. Trahan upset."
"What is it?" Klaus asked, his eyes on the child, his hands folded in front of him.
"Ms. Trahan said to use my magic, but I didn't...I couldn't," Olivia said, holding up her right hand, "I have this bracelet and it controls my magic until I can learn to use it properly. It wasn't my magic that shook the house."
"Perhaps, your mother did so," Klaus said. "She was a powerful witch."
Olivia sat on the steps and supported her face with her hand, her elbow on her knee. "It's all my fault."
Klaus stood there for a moment before going to sit next to her on the steps, "But it is not your fault. There are things about this world we cannot control as hard as we might try. Even if you had not shouted out, most likely, the outcomes would have been the same. You were very brave today and strong. And one day you will grow up to be a powerful witch..." he reached out to poke her knee, "just like your mother and your sister."
"I miss Davina."
Klaus smiled, "I have a sister as well. Her name is Rebekah and when she is away from me, I miss her very much indeed."
"Do you think I can stay with her for longer?"
"I don't know, but I do know, families should always stick together."
"You know," Olivia turned her head, "Ms. Trahan really likes your brother."
"Is that so? I do believe my brother likes Ms. Trahan. Do you like Ms. Trahan?"
"She is my very favorite. She reads us alot of good books and even when kids are loud and don't listen, she still is nice. And she really listens...I know she was sad today about my mama too...sad for me and Davina."
"I think she is too." Klaus said, quietly, then they fell silent, sitting on the steps together.
Eloise sat on the church pew, leaning over the front, her forehead head against it. She said a prayer for Olivia and Davina.
"There you are," Elijah slid in next to her.
She let out a long breath, her head still down, "I just needed a minute. That was really tough seeing the girls together, mourning their mother."
Elijah reached to place a hand on her back. "You need something to eat. Niklaus is home, sorting out dinner for us. I though we could go by your place for you to shower and change and then we can have dinner at our place. Does that sound agreeable to you?"
She lifted her head, "That's fine. Are you angry at me, Elijah?"
"I was," Elijah said, quietly, "I am not any longer." He offered her his hand. He helped her stand and leave the pews, but as they were headed out, he stopped.
"Oh, I almost forgot," Elijah reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out an object. He dangled her bracelet in front of her, "From Olivia."
"Oh good," she forced a smile. "My wrist is burnt from that."
"Allow me to take a look," Elijah moved his hand to her other arm, twisting it so he could examine her wrist. "Do you have something you can put on this?"
She nodded. "I have ointment at home that can help. It didn't hurt Olivia. I shouldn't have put it on her though. I don't know what I was thinking."
"You were right to do so. A burnt wrist is better than..." his voice trailed off. "well, the alternative. Would you like me to put it on you?"
"I don't suppose I have a choice since it also prevents compulsion and we are having dinner with Niklaus."
He smiled at her and tied it around her wrist, twisting it, "Does it hurt now?" he asked, quietly.
She shook her head, "I'm still a little freaked out by it though."
"It only will activate that badly if your life is truly in danger. Now, you know how it works so you know if it is burning you, you need to take action."
"I did take action."
He gave her an amused smile, "Different action...away from danger."
"Oh, silly me." Ella smiled back at him.
"Are you ready to go?"
She nodded. "I do think I want a shower, before dinner. I need a few minutes to think."
"Then, come. I will take you home." He offered his hand again and she took it.
They left the church, hand in hand.
Eloise slid in her chair that Elijah held out for her. "Where is Hailey?" He pushed in her chair, leaning to give her a kiss on he head as he did, when he realized Eloise had stiffened when he saw that Klaus was currently blood letting for his supper.
"She is at the Bayou." Klaus said from his spot at the head. He moved the wrist of the woman, he was currently draining blood from so it filled his glass. Eloise tried hard not to look. Dinner at the Mikealsons often came with such displays and it made her shudder each time. "There you are. That's enough. Brother, would you like some?"
Elijah held up hand, "I'll have a blood bag later. Thank you for the offer though."
"Go on, then, sweetheart," Klaus said and the woman left.
Eloise took a sip of water, "She's pretty, Niklaus."
Klaus shrugged. "I suppose."
"What's for dinner, brother?" Elijah reached for his napkin, shaking it out before draping it over his lap.
"Crab cakes for dinner, sautéed. Eloise, it is your favorite, I believe?"
Eloise glanced at Elijah again, "Yes, it is."
"You will love them," Niklaus said, "And I did even convince the chef to make sweet potato fries for you."
Eloise put her glass down after taking another sip, "What's going on, Niklaus?"
Klaus took a long sip of blood. "You have had a long day, Eloise. A trying day. And with Rebekah gone, I find myself missing spoiling ones with delicious comfort food."
"You could always spoil Elijah with a good meal." She absently pulled her hair into a side ponytail tugging at it, absently...a sign of her anxiety.
"He doesn't appreciate it as much."
Eloise looked between brothers, "Are you spoiling me for a reason?"
"Well," Elijah cleared his throat, "We would like to have a chat after dinner with you. Niklaus and I both."
Eloise let out a long breath, "And this chat requires me stuffing myself with the food I love beforehand?"
"As you say," Niklaus nodded, "But don't worry about it. There will be no torturing involved."
"Brother," Elijah drawled, "Do not frighten her more than she is."
"I was trying to reassure her, brother."
"I do not think she thought that we would torture her to begin with," Elijah said, dryly.
"Then, perhaps, I should work on being more menacing." Niklaus winked playfully at her.
"You are plenty so," Ella rolled her eyes, "Maybe, I will take that glass of white wine, Niklaus. I think I might need it."
Klaus smirked but reached for the bottle of wine, pouring her a glass, "That's the spirit, love."
"You panicked tonight," Klaus said, "You let your fear get the better of you." He reached for a tall long stemmed wine glass and two tumblers.
Eloise scooted closer to Elijah on the couch, who gave her a small smile. His hand immediately reached across her to rest comfortably on her knee.
"Even now, you show your fear..." Klaus shook his head at her. "I am not going to take you to task for it, Ella. But you have involved yourself in matters best left to the adults in the room."
"I am an adult, Klaus," Ella titled her head, "I just happen to be a human one that can die at any minute. As for involving myself in these matters, I have an obligation to Davina, Olivia and the other children, to do so. I will not give up on them, especially now."
"But surely you see my point," Klaus reached for the wine, sorting through the bottles before opening the one he knew Ella would like, "I had to save you tonight because you got yourself over your head when both Elijah and I told you to stay put. Elijah even got stabbed because he was so distracted over your fear."
Ella bit her lip.
"I'm fine, Eloise," Elijah squeezed her knee. "I heal quickly and I cannot be killed."
"Regardless of the fact," Klaus countered, "We must discuss this at length."
"Do we have to talk about this now?"
"If not now, then when?" Klaus pressed. "You cannot be associated with this family if you could be used against us. Even Elijah has concerns and it's obvious, he is quite smitten with you."
She glanced at Elijah and then back at Klaus, "I feel awful about all of this. I shouldn't have gone in without you."
"That's clear to both of us," Niklaus countered, "But it isn't about tonight, not really. It's about the next time this happens, and the next... and there will be more. No matter how Elijah tries to shield you."
"But..."
"He isn't wrong," Elijah interrupted, realizing that Ella and his brother could go around in circles all night and that it was time to intervene. "Tonight aside...You have a problem, Eloise. Your fear about being bitten, it radiates off of you and for a vampire in pursuit, it is even more intoxicating."
Klaus poured the wine into a glass for Ella. "Quite intoxicating, Eloise."
She glared at him and then her mouth jutted out in a frown, "There is enough going on without you all worrying about little old me."
"You will become a liability, little girl," Klaus said, handing her a large glass of white wine. "An enjoyable liability, no doubt, but one nonetheless."
She took a large gulp of wine. "I know I am a liability so just go ahead and off me, Niklaus."
"Now, Now," Elijah patted her knee, "Nobody is offing anybody in this household," he drawled, dryly. "At least not at the moment."
"I am trying to help you," Klaus said, giving her a smile. He did so appreciate a woman with a good deal of spunk. "Whether you wish for it our not, you cannot go back. You are known now to be a sympathizer. And since your close association with witch children, could put you in a precarious position."
She took another large swallow. "The witches aren't the ones feeding on humans. Those are the vampires. The amount of blood letting in this house is disgraceful."
Klaus laughed, "You are adorable in your sweet righteousness."
Eloise took another large gulp of her wine.
"Easy now," Elijah cautioned, patting her knee. "You have already had a glass. Imbibing yourself, will not help the matter."
"Says who?" she twisted the ends of her hair, looping it around her fingers.
"Whom, little teacher" Klaus corrected, with a smirk, handing Elijah the whisky and taken his tumbler over to his chair across from them. "As for whom, says I. Says Elijah. Says anybody that knows anything about these matters, which clearly you do not."
She rolled her eyes and ignored him, "So what do you suggest we do about my very rational fear about my blood being sucked from me?"
"That's simple, love," Klaus said, his eyes sparkling, "Time to face your fears."
"Oh no," Ella jumped up, "Absolutely not. Like hard stop. No. You will not touch me, Niklaus Mikaelson."
"First of all," Klaus jumped up, "If I wished to touch you, there is nothing you could do to stop me." he said it lightly, but there was a warning there still.
She glared at him, with her best teacher look, "And yet, I think you won't. As Elijah said, peace is tenuous in the quarter without attacking a poor innocent, helpless human. Vampires do not feed on locals."
"You are right, Eloise, sweetheart, I won't feed on you," He looked across the room towards his brother, locking eyes with him, "Elijah will and you will allow him.."
Ella's stomach dropped, "No way."
"Come now..." Klaus said, "The tension between you two. It has never been more strong. I do believe it is past time to take some of your innocence, Eloise. You will be stronger for it. And it will teach you that you can be brave when faced with adversary. You are much stronger than you give yourself due for. And thanks to Davina's skill, there is no vervain in your blood, but you still cannot be compelled. It is the perfect scenario. This is the way you survive as a human in the quarter, by making yourself strong. If you cannot do so physically, you can do so mentally. Beggars cannot be choosers after all."
"Elijah, please tell you brother that he is being..." Ella let out a long breath, "I can't even think of the adjective to appropriately describe him at the moment, but..." she groaned, exasperated. "it's something awful."
"Oh dear," Klaus said, smirking. "Have I hit a nerve, little teacher? Shall I retrieve the dictionary? I do believe we have one around here, somewhere."
"No, thank you," Ella shot back, "Elijah..." she turned to him.
"Now, my dear Eloise. My brother, while exasperating, I'm sure, happens to be correct. You are more scared of the prospect, than the actual event," Elijah said, quietly, taking a long sip of his drink.
"No, that is simply an inaccurate assessment of my fears," Ella insisted, hugging herself.
"I do not believe it to be so," Elijah countered, his voice low, but not giving an inch to her.
Klaus studied her, "Good God, she does have a bad case of this." He suddenly whooshed to her, causing her to spill her wine all over the floor, but managing to hold on to her glass. "Skittish as well. What's the matter, love?" he leaned to nuzzle at her neck, sniffing at her, "It's hard to tell, since you are wearing this sweater and it is such a warm day...I wonder the reason for that..."
"It's damn drafty in here..." Ella said, stiffening at Klaus's closeness.
"You weren't wearing it before you went home and changed, until you knew you were coming here."
"As I said, it's drafty in this house."
"Not this time of year." Klaus nuzzled her again, "I would venture say she probably tastes delectable, wouldn't you say, brother?"
"Niklaus, that's enough." Elijah stood, "He is teasing you, Eloise. He must like you."
Klaus turned, "I do not deny I find her tolerable for a human. Amusing. Witty," he turned back to her, with a glint in his eyes, "Charmingly irrational."
"Who died and made you a psychologist?" Ella asked, her hand on her hip, "Camille rubbing off on you?"
He grinned, "Maybe." He poked a finger at her, "I'm certainly more qualified in psychological matters than you are."
"I wouldn't say so. I'm very versed in child psychology. Helps me loads around you."
Klaus threw back his head and laughed, "I'm a thousand years your senior, little girl."
She quirked her eyebrows, "So act like it."
"Very well," Klaus took her glass of wine, sitting both hers and his tumbler of scotch down. "If Elijah won't oblige..."
"Enough," Elijah moved quickly in front of Klaus with a whoosh.
"Do it or I will," Klaus said, smiling.
"He is having too much fun with this," Ella said, frowning.
"Do not pout, sweetheart," Klaus said, "It is so unbecoming. Childlike even."
Elijah cleared his throat, "I thought I said enough teasing, Niklaus."
Klaus rolled his eyes, "I stand by what I said. And I know you agree with me."
"Regardless, as Eloise's friend..."
"Is that what we are calling it these days?" Klaus said, an eyebrow raised.
"Brother," Elijah drawled.
"Oh, very well," Klaus grinned at Ellie.
Elijah held out his hand for Ella, "Will you come with me?" he asked, his voice even, yet compelling.
She looked at him wearily, "Where are we going?"
"Someplace private. My bedroom will do," Elijah said, his voice low. Intimate.
Ella nearly melted, but still made no move to go to Elijah's side and Elijah dropped his hand, amused at Ella's reaction just as much as Klaus, who was practically rolling at her reaction.
"It's not funny," Ella insisted, catching Klaus's look.
"I'm sorry, love, but you should have seen your face," Klaus laughed heartedly, "The plot thickens." he reached for Ella's wine glass and filled it up again.
He leaned to kiss her cheek before handing her the wine glass, "Here you go, sweetheart. You might need more of this." He turned to Elijah, "Brother, you will behave yourself, tonight." He gave him a mock stern look. "No deflowering of New Orleans most famous virgin tonight."
"Klaus!" Eloise admonished, her face flooded with heat.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of, love," Klaus said, mischievously.
"I'm not," Eloise retorted, "I just don't like it advertised like the whole world knows. Some things aren't meant to be shared."
"Just ignore him," Elijah advised, interrupting before Niklaus could respond. "And of course, I always behave myself."
"Too much if you ask me," Klaus took another long sip, his eyes dancing with amusement.
"Eloise, come," Elijah held out his hand again and this time, she took it. He squeezed her hand before leading her away.
And after he did, Klaus sat down with his drink and had a good laugh.
A/N: I had to split into two chapters this got so long! Thank you for all who have taken time to read this story and especially to those who have dropped a review. I would LOVE to know thoughts.