"I let my previous boyfriend get ripped to shreds by his enemies, smiling all the while," I say, "When you've lived a life like mine you learn to stop depending on others. They'll either kill you or die on you when you need them the most."
Klaus smiles, "Perhaps I could be different."
Our eyes met and we both laugh.
"Good one," I chuckle.
"Although I can't be the doe-eyed romantic sap Elijah has been, I keep my promises," Klaus adds.
"You're also selfish and vindictive. I know how your mind works." I scoff.
"Why can't you make it easier to love you?" he says, huffing.
I raise an eyebrow, "We may get along, but we both know this has nothing to do with love."
Klaus shrugs, "I've got to try. If you fell for me, it would be so much easier."
"I'd lose all your respect if I suddenly started to act like some smitten romantic. Tried it. Died. No thank you."
Klaus moves to sit beside me, reaching for my hand. "I'm reaching out to you right now. I won't patronize you and pretend that I'm infatuated with you. But you are powerful -exactly what my family needs- and I do care about you in some way. Why do you think I'd walk into failed
He says, tone soft, "I'm reaching out to you right now. I won't patronize you and pretend that I'm infatuated with you. But you are powerful -exactly what my family needs- and I do care about you in some way. Why do you think I'd walk into failed assassination after failed assassination?"
I look into his clear blue eyes and see...nothing. He has too good a poker-face.
Or you're too blinded by your girlish desire to find your knight in shining armour. The voice in my head adds.
"Give me some time to think. I'll give you a reply by tonight?" I say.
He sighs deeply and lets go of my hand, propelling himself out of his seat in the same smooth motion.
"Dinner will be served at 7:00. I expect a decision then."
Klaus
"She's almost as skilled as you when it comes to making enemies," Elijah comments dryly once Lex had left.
I sigh, "You've read my mind."
"You do realize we need to kill her," Rebekah comments, "She's tied to our mother on the other side. Her power is not worth the trouble."
"Rebekah how could you say that." Elijah censures, "Especially with what she means to Klaus."
"I wasn't aware she means anything to me," Klaus comments dryly.
Even Rebekah rolls her eyes, "Please, she's your hotter, smarter doppelganger."
Klaus shoots Rebekah a glare
"What?" Rebekah shrugs, "I hate her because she's a threat. In other circumstances, we could have been friends."
"If we could free her from our mother then she could be an asset," Elijah admits, "the question is how. I've never heard of anyone from the other side having enough power to reanimate a corpse."
"I'll send some of my men to research," Klaus says, "Until then, she is not to be touched. Sister."
"Yes, dear brother. It'll be our funeral," she sighs.
"Still trying to kill me?" Klaus asks, leaning over my shoulder.
I jump in my seat, snapping the book in my hand closed.
"Why'd you say that?" I ask.
He nods to the book, "That's an unbinding spell. You're hoping to disconnect your friends from my line so you can kill me. It won't work you know. Nothing is stronger than blood."
"I know it won't work," I sigh, "Believe me, I know."
"Why are you hesitant on joining us?" Klaus asks, "by the looks of it, you're pretty desperate to live."
"Which is exactly why I don't want to be tied down with the task of helping your infamous family. I don't want to spend my last few days stuck in a dead-en job."
"If I'm as good as I know I am, I'll find a way to keep you alive."
"Alive as a blood mage?" I shoot back. "I didn't think so."
He shrugs, "Alive is alive."
I shake my head, "No, it's not. Remember when I showed you the hand thing?" I ask, placing my hands, palms up beneath his.
He smirks, "Of course."
"Imagine that feeling; I feel a sense of rightness and euphoria the moment I touch my powers," I let a few sparks of light dance off my fingertips, "and if I don't feel that, I'm not sure I'll stay sane. I'll feel absolutely powerless. Even if I was a werewolf or vampire...," I shiver, "It's like walking around without your skins, your fleshy organs exposed."
"Then how about this," he says, caressing the right side of my face, "for the next few months -as long as your working with my family and I- we'll be lovers. I'll show just how amazing the work can be in New Orleans. If you die, you die. If you survive, I'll give you a bank account that'll last you beyond this lifetime. You can travel and see the world without wanting for anything. Meanwhile, we can enjoy each other's company."
I want to move away from his touch but he's just so warm and comforting right now.
"You don't love me," I say.
"What does love matter? What we pretend to be can become our reality. In a few months, I'll break your heart and send you on your way, towards becoming the next globetrotter, or you'll be too dead to care."
"You've thought of everything, haven't you? Gee, I wish I was that clever," I say, rolling my eyes.
Clasping my head in between his hands, he looks into my eyes, "Please, for my family, I ask you to stay. I promise I will do whatever I can to keep you alive."
"Alive and magical," I add, "Not some vampire or werewolf."
"And magical," he smiles.
I nod, leaning into his embrace.
It's not the ending I originally planned, but it gives a satisfactory end and jumping off point, should I come back and continue this further.
