In reverence the red-dressed women placed down their torches, chanting under their breath. She didn't understand what they were saying, she understood the feeling of her mind beginning to splice. The parted for an older woman with stark eyes, looking at her with affection.

She spoke words in a tongue she did not know, but her words rang clear in her mind.

To be more, you must sacrifice more.

The older woman placed down the last torch, as the flames grew higher around her. Instead of screaming, she looked up to the clear night sky, watching as two ravens sat on a branch watching her. In unison, they flew away.

Iris' lungs felt as if they were filled with cotton balls, the room unusually warm. Closing her eyes tighter at the smell of smoke. The fire seemed to be growing hotter around the bed. This was not real, it was her reality slipping.

"It's just a moment in time, it's just a moment in time," Iris wheezed, relaxing the grip on her sheets. Slowly opening her eyes, she saw two ravens flying across her room, through the skylight above her bed.

Sitting up, Iris looked to the chaos of her room. Clothes were scattered everywhere, boxes laid on their side, and glassless picture frames stacked on top of each other. Two partial busts of ravens remained on the desk.

At least that explained the last part, she thought, rubbing her eyes. Stumbling over a few items, Iris found her way out of the bedroom and into the long, white hallway.

Jumping at the shuffling sound in her kitchen, two male voices were discussing in a quiet tone, both sounded deep and accented. One belonged to Klaus, that voice could live inside her head forever, the other she wasn't sure.

Slowly she entered the living room, where Klaus was flipping through a book, and the second male looked at her kitchen with disdain. The dark suit against the white kitchen, the skylight above his head. Everything aside from his skin was dark it seemed. He was also handsome in a classical sense.

"Property of Professor Declan Caldwell. Cultural anthropology of the University of Portland," Klaus commented dryly holding the book up. "Of all the new interesting aspects of this new age, he chose to study Nordic mythology."

"Niklaus, that is not what we say in our present situation," the other male chided, placing a cup down on the counter.

Iris looked at Klaus darkly setting her jaw. Eyeing the other man wearily, leaning against the entrance of the hallway. "Who the hell are you?"

"See, I'm not the only one with impolite manners here, brother," Klaus smirked, placing down the book on the table.

Truth.

The brother turned more toward her with a practiced smile in place. Proper to the core, she thought as she crossed her arms across her chest. She felt underdressed compared to the two, brother in his fancy suit, and Klaus in that black leather jacket. She was in a tank top and plaid pajama bottoms.

"I am Elijah Mikaelson, Niklaus' elder brother. You must be Iris Caldwell. He has spoken of your ability, it's impressive," Elijah answered with that same smile. "I have picked up coffee and light breakfast."

Truth.

Iris remained where she was, looking around her apartment. Items were placed back in the boxes, she knew it wasn't organized, it hadn't been even before the break-in. Feeling her mind drift away.

"It must have been a long night. I applaud you for surviving my brother for most of the night. I am curious about what he told you last night," Elijah made the gap between them and handed her a coffee.

Iris nodded taking the coffee to the kitchen table, the view overlooked the river, her favorite spot in the entire apartment. Taking a long sip she turned the chair to looked to the other two.

"He told me that he was a vampire-werewolf hybrid, made it seem like a big deal, so it must be a big deal. Maybe even some of the story, but I can't remember. Also informed me that he wants to me to reclaim his city," Iris recounted slowly. "And you probably want to know what I told him."

Klaus had grown bored of the conversation and sat down to look over the same book. For a moment there was a smile.

"That'd be delightful, Niklaus has a tendency to leave important information out," Elijah said sitting down across from her. She found herself shifting under his intense gaze before taking a breath.

"Okay, so this lawyer, Reginald Burmester. He's been in the same law firm as a minor associate for twenty years. Five years ago, he suddenly becomes head along with Magnus Isaksen and Helen Yates. Helen retired two years ago, and Isaksen had a stroke five years ago," she recited out of memory.

"There's always been strange reports for New Orleans. It grew stranger. LIke a gang war, brutal animal attacks then aneurysms or like a tornado hit the body. It all started with this firm, and no one can really recall anything."

Elijah had listened intently, Klaus, on the other hand, had shifted in boredom, placing the book down and wandering over. She felt his gaze on the tattoo on her shoulder. The intricate raven tattoo on a branch.

"You're missing the best part," Klaus encouraged, gesturing for her to continue. "Go on, love. You explained so well why you are doing this. Uprooting her entire life, career, and a good boyfriend, If I recall."

Iris grimaced grasping the cup lightly before letting out a breath.

"Thanks, Klaus," Iris said dryly before looking to Elijah's keen eyes. "Bottom line...Reggie knew my dad, and ten years ago destroyed his life, and eventually his death. Out of the blue, my mom gives me this file about Reggie saying I need to know. That's it."

Elijah looked thoughtful before folding his hands.

"Will you help me, if I help you?" She asked glancing to the both of them. It was dealing with a devil and the devil's brother. It was one of her few shots at getting what she wanted quickly. Her apartment trashed was only the first step.

"That's a deal, now to begin working," Klaus smirked satisfied. When he won, everyone won.

A/N:

12/30/17- First uploaded. A bit more of information than intended but it works out in the end.

1/3/18- Mostly rewritten, and updated, with far more information. I really hate to do that but sometimes you need to. Let me know what you think.

Thank you for all those that continue to read or just starting, I cannot do this without you. So, please if there's any comments or suggestions let me know.