Thanks DTaylor and Goodwillwin for the wonderful reviews, hope this is what you were looking forward to!

(I am not a Hayley fan so that might come out a little bit in this chapter, but she and Keira might get along sometime in the future, if they don't kill each other first that is)

03. A Girl And A Ring

She woke up early fully rested and ready to face the day. Taking a moment to hear movement in the house she could only make out a few people, which by the sound of their movement must be the servants doing their morning routines, she took a minute longer to enjoy the soft mattress before getting up and getting dressed. She was able to stretch and do a few yoga stretches before feeling the summoning from the ring, alerting her that her master wished her presence. She knew she did not have much time so she quickly strapped on a dagger and left the room, following the pull until she found Elijah. She found him in a beautiful study, complete with floor to ceiling walls, and the most beautiful, expensive, books that she had ever seen. All right there, seeming begging for her to reach out and touch them, but she was able to restrain herself. For now. She noticed that Elijah was leaning over a desk, his back to her, and his focus on something that she could not see. She cleared her throat to alert him to her presence. He seemed surprised to see her so she knew the summons was mostly unintentional.

"I think we better start out by you telling me what this ring is." He said, holding up the ring to her gaze. "I want to know exactly what it does, and how much control it has over you. We don't have a lot of time so please be as brief as possible."

She sighed and settled down on one of the couches, and if she was alone she would have indulged herself and sprawled on it, it was just so comfortable. He sat behind the desk and rested his chin on his hand.

"You may proceed." He said, as if he was a royal issuing a command.

Where do they find guys like this, she thought, I thought this type of thing went out of style here ages ago, really showing your age there buddy. It's a good thing that the ring did not let him read her mind. She nearly shuddered to think of what would happen if he could.

"The ring you are holding is a witch's response to what is unnatural to nature. Since she could not find a means to kill me she devised a way to control me. The ring on your hand has, to put it succinctly, bonded with you. I am sure you felt a touch of magic wash through you when it appeared on your finger."

She waited for his nod before continuing.

"The ring gives you some protection from some spells, though I am not too sure on all of them. Suffice to say that it is to protect you should I, or another, acquire a witch to try to use a spell to take off of you. It cannot be taken from your hand by anyone else, only you are able to remove it at will and not coercion. Your hand, or fingers, cannot be cut off either to take it off. Tried that with one of my masters." She laughed humorlessly at that particular memory of what happened afterwards.

"Needless to say he did not appreciate that. I am bound to the master of the ring to obey them, whether verbal command, or by will alone as in the case of this morning. The ring also offers me some protection as well, I can't be incapacitated by spell or by other means, lest it leave the master defenseless. I am also alerted to supernatural danger presented to the master, though I have to warn you that it doesn't extend to the reach of poisons. Oh, and one last thing I should mention. I cannot in any way directly harm you." Now finished she released the tension that had built up from telling him all the facts, and was able to relax fully into the couch.

During her dialogue Elijah had only raised an eyebrow, but other than that he had remained in perfect control of his reaction to the information she had given him.

He stayed impassive for moments longer before rubbing his brow with two fingers and sighed.

"I do not think that poisons should be an issue since I am already dead. For now I am unsure of just what to do with you just yet, and I must leave as I have a previous engagement scheduled for this time, so for the meantime eat something and wait for my return.

"Yes master." He did not look like the type of man that would prefer she called him that, but she has had enough experience in masters to be cautious. His next words though eased her mind.

"that is not necessary, you may call me Elijah."

She nodded in acceptance. "Alright."

He directed her to where she could get something to eat before he left for his 'engagement'. After she had eaten her fill she explored the compound, looking for anything that might provide a quick exit or an alternate way in. She heard Hayley and Klaus' return but she didn't care enough to investigate, figuring that they might of had enough of her to last for a while. However the thick smell of blood and death drew her to the courtyard at the same time Elijah entered.

Keira whistled at the carnage and followed Elijah up to where Haley was enjoying a relaxing bath, complete with the added decoration of some corpses to touch up the place. Keira knew that Haley was a new hybrid, complete with the enhanced temper, but she thought that after months of living as one Hayley might have gained some semblance of control. Apparently that was far from the case, and Keira looked on in disgust as Hayley continued to act like a spoiled 'brat'.

Keira's disgust must have bothered Haley enough for she snarled a "what?" and raised an eyebrow imperiously at her, clearly daring Keira to say something. Keira had lived for centuries however and a stupid pup, no matter how 'royal' was not going to frighten her, or curb her tongue.

"You know." She began, leaning against the door frame and studying her nails, as if she was just a girl unconcerned with life. "I would have thought that with months living with Klaus and Elijah, and learning of your position as an alpha, that you might have learned respect and control, but" Here she held up a finger as if in thought."I suppose that is just too much to ask for from some backwater pack's runt. Tell me did you survive from pure stubbornness alone, or was it through pity that no-one wanted to take the life of such a pathetic, mangy mutt?"

Hayley, apparently forgetting, or not caring in the slightest that she was clad only in a towel charged at Keira, but was intercepted by Elijah.

"Keira give us some privacy, I will meet you in the study." He ordered, his voice clipped and angry.

Keira bowed and left, but not until she had given Haley one last smirk. She knew that she would catch hell for that comment from her master, but it was worth it. She smiled at the memory of Hayley's face, the surprise, then the anger building on it, oh she was just so much fun!

Surprisingly when Elijah found her he did not say anything other than a "we will discuss this later" before ordering her to follow him to meet with his brother. Keira was just happy that the punishment had been delayed for the time being so was all too happy to follow him.

Please review and let me know what you think!