The next chapter, enjoy!

A Thank you to Senema for her beta of this chapter. All remaining mistakes are my own.

Chapter 3

Mazikeen had to admit that she was a little disappointed that Elijah was clearly more interested in Linda than in her. But at least he didn't look at anyone else and ignored all other advances.

She had watched with amusement as women and men tried again and again to attract Elijah's attention. Some went so far that they purposely bumped into him just to get themselves noticed.

It struck her, however, that every time that happened, he tensed as if expecting an attack. What she also noticed was that some of the customers who otherwise preferred to be served by her, went to other bartenders and that all of them were werewolves.

Eventually Mazikeen decided to take the group to one of the seating areas, at least there Linda could flirt with Elijah without interference.

They went to the seating area and out of the corner of her eye she saw the near collision, which, however, did not happen thanks to Elijah's reflexes. After sitting down, Mazikeen signalled the waitress, who arrived immediately and brought the same drinks that they had already drunk at the bar.

When Elijah praised the service, Mazikeen smiled satisfied and used the opportunity to advertise for LUX. And she had to admit that she admired Elijah's ability to drink, because nothing in his behaviour or movements indicated that he had almost emptied a whole bottle of bourbon.

Her phone beeped and when she saw the message, Mazikeen breathed a sigh of relief. Lucifer was finally on his way to LUX, which she immediately reported to Elijah, who took the information calmly.

It got loud in the seating area next to them and when Mazikeen looked over, she recognized the alpha of the largest pack of werewolf in Los Angeles. She grimaced; she didn't like him very much. He belonged to those, she'd taught to respect her and to never start any trouble at LUX.

However, she became curious, when the werewolves in the group started sniffing and turned their attention to Elijah. She had seen this dance often enough, when werewolves and vampires encountered each other, who had not met before.

She eyed Elijah furtively but he didn't react in any way as she heard the alpha growl softly. And then she remembered her regular customers who went to her colleagues while she was near Elijah.

Danny had explained to her that vampires were usually stronger than werewolves and only had to be careful during the full moon, as a werewolf bite was fatal to vampires. So werewolves usually avoided and didn't challenge strange vampires, when there was no full moon and they were inferior in strength to them.

With this knowledge in mind, she observed Elijah more closely, who seemed to ignore the group next to them completely.

When Lucifer joined them and greeted Elijah like an old friend and he replied the same way, the situation deescalated slightly.

Mazikeen saw the Alpha hold back his pack with a wave of his hand and if she hadn't looked closely, she would never have seen that fleeting smile that flickered across Elijah's face at that very moment.

Now, finally, fascinated, Mazikeen observed Elijah's interactions with Lucifer's colleagues and for a moment she saw Elijah's eyes darkening noticeably in reaction to Ella's usual overwhelming exuberance. His body tensed as if he wanted to push Ella away from him but then he seemed to relax and his eyes went back to normal.

Mazikeen had seen vampires' faces change a few times, when they lost control of their emotions, and she could swear it almost happened to Elijah.

After the greetings everyone sat down and started chatting, but this time Mazikeen really noticed how subtly Elijah brought the topic of conversation to Lucifer as he had done while sitting at the bar. However, he didn't seem particularly interested in specific information but was more interested in their interactions and how they talked about Lucifer.

Even so, she didn't get the impression that Elijah was acting out of vile motives. What she noticed, however, was that Elijah treated her and Lucifer in the same way, with a certain amount of caution.

If Elijah was a vampire, he had a superior sense of smell. Danny had once told her that she smelled weird and that he had known immediately that there was something different about her. And he had told her that Lucifer had the same smell as her.

Mazikeen wondered if she should let Lucifer know about her suspicions in relation to Elijah, but then she decided to put it off until later. It was a pleasant evening and there would be no negotiations between Lucifer and Elijah today anyway.

The only thing, she should do, was give a warning to Linda that she should not be alone with Elijah under any circumstances.

"Linda, do you want to come to the bathroom with me?" Mazikeen asked innocently.

Linda looked at her with evidently amazed by this unusual request from Mazikeen. "That's a good idea, Maze. Excuse me, Elijah!"

"Of course, Linda", Elijah said warmly, getting up with her before sitting down again as the two women left the table.

Mazikeen grinned inwardly. She already suspected that Elijah was on the older side because of his self-control and his ability to manipulate. If he was indeed hundreds of years old, it was no wonder that Elijah was so old-fashioned and such a gentleman.

When they entered the restroom, there was another woman besides them, but she left shortly afterwards.

"Okay Maze, what's up? You have never asked me before if I can come to the bathroom with you." Linda asked, amused.

Mazikeen sighed. "I wanted to warn you! Do not stay alone with Elijah and if he invites you to come with him, decline politely but firmly."

At first Mazikeen had the impression that Linda was about to react indignantly, but then a resigned look came into her eyes. "Ok what is he? A demon or an angel?"

"He is neither if I'm right but something completely different!" Mazikeen hesitated. "I suspect he's a vampire and an old one at that."

Linda looked at her in disbelief. "He is a what?"

"A vampire", Mazikeen explained patiently. "Lots of vampires, werewolves and witches are coming to LUX, they are good customers." Linda's face went blank and Mazikeen looked at her friend in concern. "Linda?"

"Sometimes I hate meeting you and Lucifer so much", Linda finally said.

Mazikeen did her best not to show that the remark hurt her. "I don't think Elijah plans to hurt you but you should still be careful around him."

Now it was Linda who sighed. "Tell me more!"

Mazikeen told Linda everything she knew about the three supernatural species.

"So, they won't go to Lucifer's hell after they die?" Linda had now recovered from her shock and was asking questions about what Mazikeen had told her.

"No, none of them will go there", Mazikeen replied. "Whatever happens after they die, wherever they go, it is completely separate from what happens to humans."

"Interesting!" Linda looked pensive at first, then sad. "Elijah seemed so nice and friendly as if he really cared about me!"

"He probably does", comforted Mazikeen her friend. "Vampires have the same feelings as normal people, except that they are dead and need blood to survive. From what Danny tells me, there are a lot of vampires out there who do their best not to kill without restraints."

"I have to admit that as we sat at the bar, I've wondered a couple of times if he's an angel, but I didn't expect that." Linda was now back to her composed self.

"Are you okay? Can we go back to the table?" Mazikeen asked, worried.

"Yes we can!" Linda looked at her friend. "And I don't hate that I met you guys! It's just a little bit much sometimes when you drop bombshells like that on me. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you!"

Mazikeen smiled. "No worries, Linda, it is okay!"

The two women went back to the table.

xxxxx

Lucifer had to admit that he was having a great time. After Elijah had suggested that there would be no negotiations this evening, Lucifer relaxed significantly. The case, which was responsible for his delay, had thrown him a little off the beaten track and he would have been clearly at a disadvantage compared to Elijah.

While Linda and Maze were in the bathroom, Lucifer dropped a comment about his favourite pianists and was surprised about Elijah's knowledgeable response. A lively conversation about music soon developed between the two of them.

"Do you actually play an instrument, too?" Lucifer finally asked curiously.

Elijah smiled a little sadly. "More than one but I prefer the piano. When I have time, which unfortunately only happens very rarely, I use every opportunity to play it."

Lucifer grinned playful. "How about now?"

Elijah paused briefly before grinning and replied. "Why not?"

As it turned out, Elijah was more than a good piano player and singer too, who, like Lucifer, had mastered different genres. Together they made sure that the club raged.

After playing for a good hour, they returned to the table, where everyone praised them for their set. As it turned out to Lucifer's surprise, Elijah responded modestly and seemed a little embarrassed by their praise.

"That was really special", said Chloe. "Where did you learn to play like that?"

Elijah shrugged. "It relaxes me and I was fortunate to have some very good instructors, who could teach me many different techniques." He grinned mischievously.

Lucifer saw Maze and Linda exchange meaningful looks. He frowned. What was going on here? And for that matter, since when did Maze indulge in the habit of going to the bathroom with another woman?

"Yes, you really play like you've been doing it for decades or centuries", Mazikeen said dryly.

Just because Lucifer was looking at Elijah at that moment, he saw how Elijah's features froze for a moment before he shrugged. "That's what it feels like sometimes", he simply replied.

"Well, I definitely like it when you play", said Linda. "I think, hearing someone play an instrument reveals his soul."

"Well, I've made the experience that this can be deceiving", Elijah replied calmly. "Someone can play the most wonderful music and still be a monster."

"Wow, now that was negative", Ella interfered. "The only thing I can say is that this evening is special. I see a wisdom and a light in you that I don't see in someone very often."

Lucifer took a sip of bourbon.

"For example, I see it in Charlotte too."

Lucifer choked and started coughing while Maze grimaced and this time Linda's features went rigid.

"And of course, I see it in Lucifer, too", Ella added happily, completely ignoring the strange reactions.

This time it was Elijah's turn to frown. "You undoubtedly have an interesting way of assessing the nature of the people around you."

"Thank you, Elijah, that's so nice of you." Ella beamed at Elijah.

Elijah chuckled and said nothing more.

As for Lucifer, he almost sensed that there was something Maze knew and had not yet told him.

After that, the conversation turned back to lighter topics while everyone drank and had a good time.

xxxxx

After Maze had dropped the bomb about Elijah on her, Linda caught herself watching him secretly and judging each of his reactions based on what she now knew about him.

She had to admit that there wasn't much that betrayed him. He was like any other man in the club, who wanted to have fun, had drunk a little too much, but was still decent and respectful to women.

Thinking back over the past few hours, there were a few incidents that she now viewed in a different light but nothing that should have really alarmed her in retrospect.

Seeing him play with Lucifer had been something else too, but it also told her a lot about him. Elijah loved music and his resemblance to Lucifer in terms of personality was downright terrifying.

No wonder Lucifer liked him. For him it had to be almost like looking in a mirror. The same insecurities, the same moral beliefs both would vehemently deny to possess, the same dark side they were trying to control.

However, she had to admit that Elijah was far better than Lucifer at maintaining social norms. Where Lucifer knew no hesitation in attracting everyone's attention, Elijah was more careful and wary, which was understandable.

Lucifer had only been on Earth for about six years, and because of the circumstances in this time period, he had never really had to adapt to survive. It was enough that he was rich and a club owner, where it was only helpful that he stood out and everyone talked about him.

If Maze was right in her assessment of Elijah's age, he had lived through very dark times, where any difference could mean death. Elijah might have had advantages as a vampire, but these couldn't outweigh everything, so he had learned to put up a good facade and play the game like a human.

And of course, he had a much more controlled personality than Lucifer. She had seldom met someone who had himself so under control.

Linda snorted. Of course, for her as a psychiatrist, this only meant that Elijah could benefit greatly from her expertise. He would, as a patient, without doubt be equally as interesting as Lucifer, if she could get him on her couch.

Sometimes it was really too bad that she would never write an article on what she had learned in connection with all of this.