Chapter 5
Not like most men
Elijah zoomed downstairs as quickly as he could when he heard Cate screaming. His eyes widened when he saw Klaus carrying the struggling Cate bridal style.
"Niklaus! What do you think you're doing, let her go!"
"I don't think that's a good idea," he replied. "She just tried to steal your car."
"No, no!" Cate protested. "I didn't! I… It was a misunderstanding, I swear!"
Elijah could see that she was in panic; her heart was pounding like a drum.
"Niklaus, let her go," Elijah stated firmly.
Klaus rolled his eyes and placed her on the floor. She ran to Elijah as quickly as she could.
"I-I'm sorry," she said, struggling to sound calm. "I… I was just going to pick up something from the store, I'm sorry; I know I should have asked first before borrowing your car…"
"Borrowing?" Klaus chuckled. "Has anyone ever told you that you're a terrible liar, sweetheart?"
All color had left Cate's cheeks, she was terrified.
"I'm sorry," she said pleadingly. "I'm really sorry, please…"
"Cate…" Elijah started, but she grabbed his hand before he managed to continue.
"I wasn't running from you," she assured. "I want to be with you, I just… got scared. So much has happened and I… I wasn't thinking clearly. It won't happen again, I swear. Please forgive me."
He pulled away when she tried to kiss him.
"No, no, Cate, I'm not angry at you, of course not." He paused and sighed. "I'm so sorry, I should have realized… I should have explained everything to you, but I thought that you would like to rest first."
He couldn't believe that he hadn't seen how scared she had been. Well, of course she was scared, she had been kidnapped and now she was with two men she barely knew. It seemed that he was rusty as far as normal human interaction was concerned. It had been a while since he had socialized with humans who weren't a part of the supernatural world.
"Please, will you give me a chance to explain everything to you?" he asked.
She looked at him cautiously, he could sense her nervousness.
"What everything?"
He gestured towards the living room.
"Please."
She hesitated for a moment before heading to the living room. He noticed that she was very tense; she was hugging her upper body.
"Would you like something to eat or drink?" he asked.
She shook her head.
"What… What do you want to explain?" she murmured.
He hesitated, trying to choose his words carefully.
"Well… I didn't tell you everything about myself the night we met. I… I'm not like most men."
She swallowed; he could see the terror in her eyes.
"You know what, you really don't have to tell me," she said, forcing a fake smile on her face. "I don't know anything about you and I'll never tell anyone anything. There's nothing to tell, I don't know anything."
"No, no, it's not like that. I'm not a serial killer or anything."
Actually he kind of was, but this certainly wasn't the best time to go to that.
"I…"
"For heaven's sake," Klaus' voice suddenly snorted. Cate gasped when he appeared in front of her, using his vampire speed. His eyes were yellow and his fangs were out. "We're vampires. There, now you know, love."
Cate's mouth floundered open and closed, she looked utterly shocked.
"Niklaus," Elijah hissed.
"What? Someone had to tell her and it seemed that you weren't going to do that. Not any time soon."
"Cate?" Elijah said gently, ignoring his brother. "I know this is a lot to handle, but I can assure you that you're safe here. I would never hurt you."
She didn't say anything, but he noticed that her legs were shaking. Quickly he helped her to take a seat.
"This can't be happening," she murmured after a long silence. "I'm dreaming or losing my mind."
"You're not," Elijah replied. "I know you must have many questions…"
"Actually I don't," she stated and stood up. "I'm leaving."
"Cate…"
"You said that you wouldn't hurt me," she cut in. "Was that another lie?"
"No," Elijah assured quickly.
She looked at him and crossed her arms.
"Let me leave then."
"I'm sorry, but I can't."
She pressed her lips together and tried to march past him. He had no choice but to block her way.
"Let me go," she demanded.
"I can't. Please, there are things you don't know…"
"Let me go!" she shouted and tried to get past him. She was almost hysterical now; he didn't stop her when she punched his chest. She struggled to get past him and finally he had to grab her hands in order to stop her from hurting herself. That made her struggle even harder.
"Let me go!"
Tears were coursing down her cheeks, she looked beyond exhausted.
"I'm so sorry," he murmured.
She let out a weak sob before her body started to shake and she collapsed. The poor girl had reached her breaking point. Very gently he lifted her up into his arms and carried her upstairs. She wasn't struggling anymore; she was completely motionless in his arms. As gently as he was able, he carried her to the bed and laid her upon it.
"Rest, Cate," he said quietly as he pulled a blanket over her.
She didn't say anything; she simply curled up into a fetal position. He felt a sting in his heart as he looked at her. She was in this situation because of him.
"I'm sorry," he murmured.
He would have wanted to somehow assure her that everything would be alright, but he had no idea how. All he could do was stay beside her bed until her body gave up and she fell asleep.
