"We got it! This way!"

Elijah heard the hounds barking; apparently they had found their prey. Quickly he dismounted and left his horse to one of the younger vampires, he didn't even bother trying to recall his name. Everyone else had left their horses behind as well, they were all moving with their vampire speed. The night was starless and the moon was behind the dark clouds, there was no light except what few torches could supply. Elijah wasn't carrying one, he didn't have to, that was what Niklaus' lackeys were for.

They were all young and eager to please their master; Niklaus certainly knew how to take full advantage of that. His brother just loved the combination of being feared and worshiped; all these young vampires idolized him. Elijah didn't really care about such things, he was respected and obeyed; that was enough. He spent so much time being controlled and discreet that sometimes he truly enjoyed hunting like this, getting to use his speed and heightened senses. Elijah slowed down when he saw the hounds and their handler ahead. One of Niklaus' best trackers, a short, but deadly man called Hoyt was also with them; he was standing silently next to the entrance of a cave. He had probably located their prey before the hounds.

"It went there," he stated calmly. "There is no other way out."

Elijah looked at the cave, it seemed quite small, a bear's den perhaps. The hounds were barking furiously, but their handler seemed to be in control, as he definitely should be. Digory grinned and unsheathed his sword.

"Let's get it then."

The others followed his example and approached the entrance. Elijah wasn't sure if he wanted to go inside, this phase was always very messy, no doubt this newborn, as unstable as he might be, would fight like a cornered animal. On the other hand, Niklaus' lackeys had a tendency to play with their prey when Elijah preferred quick clean kills, at least in most cases. Usually these unstable vampires were abandoned by their makers, perhaps tortured before being turned. Elijah knew how sadistic some vampires, including his brothers, could be, but he himself found such behavior barbaric. Perhaps he should make sure that everything went smoothly…

"My lord?" Digory's voice said from the cave, he sounded a bit strange. "Perhaps you should take a look at this."

Elijah frowned and entered the cave.

"Take a look at what?"

All Niklaus' lackeys had gathered around one corner of the cave, they all had their swords on their hand and few of them were holding torches.

"This…I have never…" Digory muttered.

Elijah moved next to him and looked at the creature in the corner. It's back was arched and it was hissing like a cat, showing its little fangs and trying desperately to find a way to escape. Elijah's eyes widened in shock when he realized what he was looking at, underneath all that filth and dried blood there was a little girl. Her dark hair was dirty and tangled and she was almost naked, there were only some filthy rags, which had probably been a dress, hanging on her.

"Dear Lord…" Elijah muttered. "What kind of monster would…"

He couldn't even finish his sentence; he had never seen something like this before. What kind of sick vampire would turn a helpless child and then abandon her? Poor child was acting like an animal, who knew what she had been trough.

"What…what shall we do, my lord?" Digory muttered.

"Lower your weapons and get out, all of you," Elijah replied without hesitation. "Leave the torches."

None of them argued, they left as quickly as they could. Elijah could never recall seeing them so confused before, clearly this was new for them as well. The little vampire was observing their every move vigilantly, seeking for an opportunity to get away. After the others had left, she turned her gaze towards Elijah, the remaining threat. It took a moment before he managed to speak, the whole situation still felt unreal to him.

"Hello," he said as calmly and clearly as he could. "My name is Elijah and I am not going to hurt you. Do you understand?"

She didn't show in any way that she would have understood him, she simply stared at him.

"Everything is alright," he continued with the same calm tone. "You are safe; no one is going to harm you."

She didn't move, but her whole body was tense, she was prepared to defend herself. He wondered if she would be able to understand his words at all, who knew how shattered her mind was. Clearly her primal instincts had taken over, she only wanted to survive. He could tell that she hadn't been a vampire for very long, but obviously long enough, especially if she had spent that time by herself.

"Everything is alright," he repeated, hoping to get some kind of reaction. "Can you say something to me, sweetheart, anything?"

He took a step towards her, but that was a mistake, she growled and attacked him. Fortunately he was prepared for that, he caught her in the middle of her leap and pushed her gently but firmly against the wall, trapping her hands on her sides. She growled, hissed and struggled with all the might of her small body, but he didn't let go, she needed to realize that he was stronger than her, perhaps then he would get trough to her. It took a long while before she seemed finally getting tired, but she still didn't give up. She looked up and glared at him, still hissing and showing her fangs. Elijah smiled and revealed his own fangs. Her eyes widened in wonder or perhaps in fear, he wasn't sure.

"You see?" he said calmly. "I am just like you; there is no reason to be afraid."

She stared at him for a long time and for the first time he saw some kind of clarity in her eyes. Her mouth opened, it seemed almost as she would have tried to remember how to use words.

"Hurt?"

That one, insecure word held more emotion than anything Elijah had ever heard before. He swallowed and shook his head.

"No, sweetheart, I am not going to hurt you, I swear."

Slowly her eyes were watering up; she tried to move her hand. He released her from his grip and she jumped on him again, but this time she wrapped her little arms tightly around him.

"Papa?"

Elijah felt a sting in his heart; gently he stroked her tangled hair and lifted her in his arms. She was so small, like a doll.

"It's alright," he muttered. "Everything is going to be alright."