The next chapter! Enjoy and tell me, how you like it.
Thank you to Senema for her beta, because of her there are much less mistakes. All remaining mistakes are my own.
Chapter 2
After politely accepting Lucifer's invitation, Elijah put his smartphone thoughtfully on the table.
Elijah had made some discreet inquiries after his meeting with Lucifer, using his contacts as an Original. At the meeting Elijah had immediately known that there was no human being sitting across from him, even if Elijah did not know what Lucifer was. The reports of his contacts painted a confusing picture of Lucifer and Elijah wanted to know more, which was his primary reason for accepting the invitation.
Elijah grinned slightly. In his opinion that was only fair, for he had no doubt that Lucifer was pursuing his own goals with this invitation too.
During their brief encounter, he had found Lucifer to be a very clever and dangerous man. It would be fun to measure their cunning against each other and test his skills as a negotiator.
Elijah went to the hotel wardrobe and opened it. What should he wear? His gaze wandered over his suits until he found the right one, made of silver-grey silk, elegant but still suitable for a club visit. Paired with a red tie, he would undoubtedly make a great entrance.
Elijah smirked again. He knew that the club was neutral ground and was curious whether one of the vampires, witches or werewolves would recognize him there. He wanted to have fun. For once he was on the road without his siblings and didn't have to clean up their messes.
xxxxx
Mazikeen stood behind the bar and looked at the decoration, the performances and the lively hustle and bustle of the club visitors with satisfaction.
In addition to the normal human clientele, there were also many vampires, werewolves and witches present who wanted to have a good time.
When they first had shown up at the club, there had been a little trouble. Mazikeen thought back nostalgically on how she had made it clear to everyone that she would not tolerate this. She'd had so much fun teaching some of them manners back then, but now her job as the club's security chief had grown monotonous.
When she looked over to the entrance, she noticed Linda, who she had also invited, going down the stairs. Mazikeen was happy that her friend was there, so she had someone to keep her company while Lucifer was busy with his guest.
Mazikeen frowned at this thought and checked her watch. Lucifer was late. No doubt he was still out with Chloe on a case. She just hoped that he would come back in time to greet Mikaelson properly, as unfortunately she didn't know what the man looked like.
Linda sat down on the bar stool across from Mazikeen, who immediately pushed Linda's favourite drink over the counter. "Thank you, Maze. Where's Lucifer?"
"I don't know, he isn't back yet." Mazikeen grimaced.
"Is he out on a case with Chloe?" Linda asked curiously.
"Where else could he be?" Mazikeen was no longer jealous of Chloe, but she also didn't like it when Lucifer let her down after all the work and effort she'd put in this event.
The two women talked about this and that while both kept glancing over to the stairs and waiting for Lucifer to arrive.
Mazikeen had just served a customer when she saw out of the corner of her eye how Linda suddenly sat up and straightened her dress.
Mazikeen curiously followed Linda's line of sight and saw immediately who had caught Linda's attention. She could only admire Linda's taste. "You are lucky that you are my friend, otherwise I would do anything to win him over."
Linda laughed. "It looks like I'll have more than enough competition, and not just from women."
Mazikeen looked around and could only agree with Linda. The looks of a great many women and also some men were aimed at the man, who calmly descended the stairs. In his striking, very elegant suit, he stood out from the usual crowd that visited LUX. That he was one of the most handsome men she had seen in a long time, was another reason for this attention. "I'm almost afraid you'll have competition in Lucifer too, Linda, that's exactly his type."
"He's gorgeous", said Linda dreamily.
Mazikeen snickered at her friend. "And he's coming straight towards us."
The man stopped next to Linda and smiled politely at Mazikeen. "A bourbon, neat, please!"
"Immediately, darling!" Mazikeen reached for the top shelf where the good stuff was and filled the glass. "Since this is your first time here, it is on the house!"
"Thanks!" The man took the glass and took a sip. With an appreciative look he put the glass down again. "Very good bourbon! How do you know this is my first time here?"
"Oh believe me, darling, I would definitely remember you if you had been here before!" Mazikeen held out her hand over the counter. "I'm Mazikeen, but you can call me Maze. And this is Linda, my best friend!"
"Nice to meet you, Maze." The man shook her hand before turning to Linda. She also held out her hand to him, but he surprised her by turning her hand around and greeting her with a kiss on the back of the hand. "A pleasure to meet you, Linda!"
He straightened up and smiled at the two women, and this time it wasn't just a polite smile.
Linda felt herself blush and even Mazikeen, who was never embarrassed, felt a little warm.
"My name is Elijah!"
Mazikeen was surprised. "Oh, you are Lucifer's guest!" Why hadn't Lucifer told her how attractive Elijah was?
"That's right", Elijah replied kindly. "Where's Mr. Morningstar?"
"I'm sorry, but Lucifer isn't back yet. He works as a consultant for the police. It seems like the case is dragging on a little longer than planned", Mazikeen explained. She had the feeling that she could score more positive points with honesty and directness than with a made up excuse.
"Remarkable, this is not an explanation I have ever heard before for being late for a meeting." Elijah shrugged and looked around. "Just like this party." Elijah turned back to Mazikeen. "I suppose you were in charge of the organization?"
Mazikeen nodded. "That was me."
"It would be a shame if all this effort had been in vain." Elijah sat down on the bar stool next to Linda. "And in such beautiful company, it is no hardship to wait." Elijah smiled charmingly.
Mazikeen grinned and placed the bottle next to the glass. "We will make it worth your while!"
"I am convinced of that." Elijah grinned mischievously at the two women.
xxxxx
Elijah enjoyed the attention his appearance at the club had attracted. Usually he was easily overlooked, especially when he was with Niklaus, who could never stand it, when he wasn't the centre of everything.
As he slowly descended the stairs, he looked around inconspicuously to see if anyone recognized him, but that didn't seem to be the case. However, he heard enough to know that he was the main topic of conversation.
Behind the counter stood the woman who his contacts had described as Lucifer's manager of the club and who was probably also the bodyguard if the stories about her were true.
She seemed to be friends with the blonde woman, who sat across from her. The blonde woman reminded him a little of Camille. When he heard her call him gorgeous, he decided to get to know her better to see if she was as interesting as Camille.
When he shook hands with Mazikeen, her strong and conspicuous smell told him she wasn't human. It reminded Elijah of Lucifer's smell, and like with Lucifer's it was completely foreign to him, he couldn't tell what she was.
When Linda gave him her hand, he leaned over her to take in her scent too, but she was definitely human. Better to play it safe and flirt with Linda than with Mazikeen.
Elijah introduced himself only with his first name, because he didn't want the vampires present to hear his last name. They might not know his face, but his last name was guaranteed to make them sit up and take notice.
As expected, Mazikeen knew who he was and when he inquired about Lucifer, she said that Lucifer was a consultant for the police force and was still working on a case.
Normally Elijah would have found it impolite and offensive, when his host wasn't there to greet him. But it gave him the opportunity to talk to the women and possibly learn more about them and Lucifer.
In addition, LUX had an excellent bourbon and he didn't mind drinking more of it.
As if Mazikeen had read his mind, she placed the bottle next to his glass. Yes, he really didn't mind waiting a little!
xxxxx
They had been at the bar for about an hour and, to his own surprise, Elijah was having a great time. The music was good, the performances stirring, and the company was pleasant too.
However, he was secretly amused when Linda told him she was a psychiatrist. From then on the similarities didn't stop, because her personality was also very similar to Camille's. He was very impressed by her astuteness and did his best to stay in his human persona. He didn't think he could afford to slip up with her a lot.
Mazikeen was also a very interesting person, but there was something dark and very dangerous about her. It was better to be on his guard in her presence.
Slowly it was getting fuller at the bar and Elijah was repeatedly bumped into by strangers, which made him very uncomfortable. It always threatened to trigger his reflexes, especially if it was a witch or another vampire bumping into him. Werewolves could identify him as a vampire by his smell and avoided going near him.
Mazikeen seemed to sense his discomfort and suggested that they retreated to one of the corners where they would have more privacy. Elijah gratefully accepted the offer.
Mazikeen came out from behind the counter to lead the way. Elijah bent his left arm so that Linda could hook herself onto him.
As they passed the dance floor, an exuberant dancing man stumbled into Elijah. He stayed calm because he had seen it coming, it was only a human and therefore no threat to him.
Elijah grabbed his arm and straightened him. "Careful!"
The man blinked at him in confusion before his eyes fell on Linda. "Hey babe, how about you dance with me? I think you'll have more fun with me than with this snob."
Linda gazed at him coldly. "Thank you, I am more than satisfied with my company."
Elijah smirked and followed Mazikeen again. "Nice to hear that!"
Linda laughed and put her left hand on Elijah's forearm. "I have a charming gorgeous man on my arm. Why should I trade him for a drunken idiot who calls me babe?"
Now it was Elijah's turn to laugh. "Well, one thing I can promise you, I'll never call you babe."
They had reached the corner and without having to order anything, one of the waitresses brought them the same drinks that they had drunk at the bar.
"Exceptional service!" Elijah said approvingly.
"We're doing our best", Mazikeen replied smoothly. "After all, LUX has a reputation to uphold." Her smartphone beeped and she glanced at the message that came with it. "Good news, Lucifer is on his way here! He is bringing his partner and a couple of colleagues with him. It's good that I picked one of the bigger corners."
Elijah smirked. "Yes, really good!" He was hoping to hear some stories about Lucifer from his colleagues. It would help him to get a better picture of Lucifer. And he was definitely not interested in negotiations tonight. He couldn't get drunk, but today he was more interested in fun than business.
In the sitting area next to them a noisy group had made themselves comfortable, consisting of werewolves and humans, but Elijah didn't think that the humans knew who they were partying with. Among the humans was the drunken idiot, as Linda had called him.
Elijah saw the werewolves start sniffing and then turn in his direction. The alpha growled a little when he saw an unknown vampire so close to his group.
Elijah sighed. Hopefully the Alpha was sensible enough to not start a fight. It would not be good for his suit, which was one of his favourites. Also, he couldn't afford to be bitten by werewolves and then be in delirium for two days, while Niklaus was in New Orleans. If he had to ask Niklaus to come to Los Angeles to heal him, he would never hear to end of it.
Fortunately, that was when Lucifer approached their table. "Elijah, please accept my apologies for being late!"
Elijah got the impression that Lucifer seemed genuinely contrite, as if it really mattered to him that Elijah thought well of him. Out of the corner of his eye, Elijah saw how the Alpha seemed to hesitate when he recognized the owner of LUX.
Elijah had intended to accept the apology anyway, but maybe he could kill two birds with one stone and get the Alpha to keep the peace.
"Apology accepted, Lucifer", said Elijah, stood up and held out his hand to Lucifer, who immediately took it.
"After all, it is very rude to keep your guest of honour waiting, for whom I specially organized this party", replied Lucifer, smiling happily at Elijah's immediate acceptance of his apology.
The alpha looked dismayed when he heard this and after a short hand gesture from him, the other werewolves relaxed as well. The humans in the group hadn't even noticed that there was trouble brewing.
Satisfied with the success of his plan, Elijah turned to Lucifer's companions. "My name is Elijah!" He introduced himself.
"This is the detective, my partner", Lucifer introduced the woman at his side.
She rolled her eyes before introducing herself by name. "I am Chloe Decker!"
"Pleased, Chloe", replied Elijah.
"I'm Ella Lopez", said the petite black-haired woman who was standing next to Chloe and before Elijah could react, she hugged him warmly and exuberantly. "I am so happy to meet another friend of Lucifer's."
"You're welcome", Elijah replied, trying with all his might to suppress the instinctive reaction of his body, which treated this unexpected physical contact with a complete stranger as an attack.
"Dan Espinoza", said the man who had stood behind the women.
"Pleased, Dan", replied Elijah, who now had himself under control again.
Everyone sat down while the waitress came back to the table and brought drinks for everyone.
Elijah noticed that she didn't even have to ask what the newcomers wanted, which meant that they came here often.
"So you are the one who bought the building", Chloe said after everyone had made themselves comfortable.
"That's right", Elijah simply replied.
"What are you going to do with the building?" Ella asked curiously.
Elijah shrugged. "My primary concern is to preserve this building. It has a long and impressive history!"
Chloe chuckled. "I know, Lucifer told me all about it. That was what first gave me the idea of placing the building under a preservation order." She looked at Lucifer. "I couldn't have known that Eleanor had another buyer at hand."
"So, are you going to sell the building to Lucifer?" Mazikeen asked directly.
Elijah's lips twitched when he saw Lucifer's eyes close in desperation over Mazikeen's bluntness.
"I never mix business and pleasure, Maze." Elijah smiled charmingly. "For tonight, I'm only interested in pleasure." He was looking at Lucifer now. "I think we can discuss our business at another occasion."
"Good enough for me, Elijah", replied Lucifer.
After Elijah asked a casual question about the case responsible for Lucifer's delay, a lively conversation developed and Elijah heard the stories he had hoped for.
Victoria = Thank you.
