Thanks to my reviewers, Goodwillwin and Jennifah, you guys are so awesome for taking the time to review my work!
A thank you to Black Star as well for your honesty, please if you notice that I am not capturing Elijah well, or that he is too nice, please don't hesitate to let me know! I kinda think of Elijah like a lion, regal and majestic and affectionate at times, but don't ever think that he is a harmless pet.
Babysitting Duty
Keira woke up with a gasp, sitting up disoriented, feeling like she needed to scream from the terror that was her nightmare. Taking in the room she remembered where she was and it calmed her down somewhat, but the feeling of fear and regret still clung to her.
She shook her head to get rid of those memories and climbed out of bed to take a shower, hoping that it will wash away the memory of that dream. It seemed to help so finding something to eat was next on the agenda, and she was starving enough to eat anything at this point. Thankfully she found servants in the kitchen who could provide her with a good meal and with a good sleep and a full belly she almost felt cheerful, that is until she found out that she was going back out on another Davina search.
"This is punishment for yesterday's comment to Hayley isn't it?" She asked Elijah
"Nonsense." He said, the beginning of a curve of a smile on his face. "We are expecting a guest tonight and I would appreciate it if she did not find you here."
"She, dare I ask who this mystery guest is that has the house so much in a whirlwind of activity?"
"We have been given the dubious honor of dining with my mother tonight." He said while examining a wine bottle, he did not seem pleased with the wine that was before him.
"Oh that should be an interesting night, pity that I won't be there to see it."
"Yes." He said absentmindedly, before calling a servant over. "This wine will not do for tonight.
"But Klaus himself picked out this one." The nervous man said.
"Yes I suppose he did, but no matter I guess we will just have to go with this one than." He said before giving the bottle to the servant.
He turned to Keira and said. "That is all, you may go." Gesturing for her to leave.
She gave a slight bow before leaving the dining room and headed to the streets. As expected she did not catch any sight of the now elusive Davina and the mystery man from last night.
"I'll give her one thing." Mused Keira." When she wants to disappear she really disappears."
She kept an eye on the witches just to see if there was any sight of her with them, not that she thought that there would be, but hey it's part of searching the city, right? After spending what she thought was sufficient time casing the place she moved on to another part of town.
Taking a small break she chose a nice shaded roof to look over the city and its activities, but with the break came the remembered memories of her dream. She decided that the more busy she was the less likely that her dream would haunt her, so rising again she combed the city once more.
The ringing of the phone distracted her from her search and she answered it, knowing that the only one who had her number was Elijah.
"Hayley has gone to rescue a witch that my mother has caught and is being tortured, follow her but remain out of sight unless if she is attacked. Engage only if it looks like she cannot handle herself."
She acknowledged the order then proceeded to find Hayley. She found her exactly where Elijah said Keira would, so she followed her and waited to see if she was needed.
Hayley though, had everything under control so it looked like Keira was just on light babysitting duty for now.
When Hayley and the witch left the crypt Keira followed them to what she assumed was the witch's house. She kept back as per her orders, even when Klaus and Elijah showed up. She was startled at the earthquake that shook the ground beneath her after they had gone in, she figured that it must be the witch's doing. She did not feel a summons from her master, nor did the ring warn her of any danger so she stayed where she was at, only leaving when she saw Elijah and Klaus leave.
When they had gotten back to the manor she was released from her duties for the night so she headed back to her room. She did not go to sleep instantly, thanks to her sleeping during the day, instead she drew for a bit. The faces on the pages coming to life with each stroke. Elijah's face with the quiet dignity that he carries around with him all the time, but with the hint of a smile that she was able to see that afternoon. Hayley's face, complete with the growing authority that she has been assuming as she gathers what wolves she can to her. Klaus with that devilish smirk on his face, as if daring the world to throw their worst at him.
Knowing that she should try to sleep she set the pictures aside to finish touching them up later, then she snuggled into the bed and suprisingly fell asleep.
When she woke in the morning she was glad that she had a peaceful sleep, unlike yesterday's nightmare, so she felt ready to face the day. Of course facing the day meant heading out with Elijah and learning of the attack on Marcel's loft by some touchy werewolves. It seemed that with an Original as a master her days will be filled with action, what she wouldn't give for a day off!
Of course she expected to be sent off to search for the missing Klaus, but she supposed that that would be like mixing oil and water for how good that would be. Instead she got the treat of watching Elijah and Hayley interact.
They were so nauseating together, it was like they couldn't figure out whether to fight or take it to a more private venture. It had Keira feeling slightly jealous of Hayley, that it was she would hold a place of affection in Elijah's heart. She was grateful when Hayley walked away and left Elijah and Keira standing there.
"What's next on the agenda?" She asked Elijah, hoping on drawing his attention away from the retreating woman.
"We will head to Marcel's loft to teach some new vampires how to survive in a fight." He said, now focusing his attention on the present dilemma the said vampires faced.
"Great." She said, drawing the word out a little in sarcasm, but she willingly followed him to Marcel's loft.
She had to hand it to Elijah, he certainly knew how to make an entrance. Should she be worried that she found it a little sexy as he sped through the room and snapped the necks of two vampires before they were even aware that he was among them?
His smile at the end reminded her of a cat as it plays with its prey. She decided to let him keep his moment and not spoil it as she crept unnoticed to lean against the wall behind Marcel. When Elijah turned his smile on her she returned it, enjoying the reactions of the vampires as they turned to see who he was smiling at, and realized that there was another dangerous element in their midst.
She remained silent and Elijah made no move to introduce her other than a "She is here to assist in training you." Of course she couldn't help but notice that he was only going to be training the vampire Gia, but dutifully she walked out with the group to train them with Marcel.
It was fun teaching the new vampires how to block and defend. Of course it was mainly how to block an attack, how to throw a punch, that type of stuff, but when your student is a vampire with enhanced healing the teacher is allowed certain liberties that an ordinary human couldn't handle.
"I think that Thomas gets the point." Marcel as the man flew into the wall for the third time after failing to block a punch.
"One can never be too careful." She said brushing some non-existent dust off of herself.
"Now remember." She said, turning to the rest of the group. "Never take you eyes off your opponent, and always be aware of your surroundings. For instance if you were you would have noticed the smell of werewolf before now."
She could see that now that she had said something they were able to catch the scent.
"Keep practicing the moves that I showed you." She said before heading out to investigate.
Marcel walked alongside her to see for himself just which werewolf would be dumb enough to invade his territory alone.
"You know, you would make a good teacher when you are not throwing them into walls." He said smiling at her as she walked.
"Oh no, not me! I think one of your students must have hit your head a little hard there." She said.
He chuckled and said "No I am serious, you have the patience and the control to teach them what they need. All I am saying is to think about it."
"Look." She said, drawing them to a halt. "Let's say that even if there was the remotest chance that I even wanted to, you would have to go to Elijah, not me."
"What you need his permission to do something?"
"Yeah, something like that."
"Alright, maybe I will ask him." Was all he said, then they proceeded to keep walking.
"Oh good, you are already here." Hayley said. "Now all we have to do is wait for Oliver to show up."
"Yes, it was hard to miss the scent of wolf." Keira said, looking at the dark haired wolf in the loft.
When Oliver had joined them, and another vampire who she learned was Josh, the wolf Aiden told them of how the younger wolves were now being recruited for their wolf army. When they finally agreed to act, a plan was thrown together.
Keira had stayed out of it, she knew that if she was needed then she would find out, also it really wasn't her fight, until Elijah would make it so. It wasn't like she could volunteer herself for it. Elijah's next words though shot down her neutrality.
"Keira." Elijah said, drawing the whole room's attention to her now that he had singled her out. "You will go with Hayley and protect the children."
"Wait what?" Hayley's response voiced what Keira was thinking.
"You want me to go with the Princess and watch over a bunch of kids?" She dared to ask, her voice incredulous, hoping that he would not mind so much her questioning him.
"Yes." With that little word he made it clear by his voice that there would be no argument from Keira, he was tolerant of her question, but his look cautioned her not to question him further. He was in full master mode now.
She dipped her head to signify her submission to the order and remained silent. Hayley however had no problem with voicing her own objections to the plan.
"Enough!" Elijah finally said, voicing his frustration over Hayley's arguments. "Hayley, this is the way it will be done. She goes with you or this rescue mission does not happen. End of discussion." He walked away, signifying that he was done.
Keira followed him, she knew by the look in Hayley's eyes that she wanted to discuss, and complain, about it further, but Keira knew that the decision had been made. There was no point in beating a dead horse over this.
With that the discussion seemed to be over and the others left for their tasks, or to get back to the wolves' quarters.
As she followed Elijah she could not help but voice something that was bothering her.
"You know that the purpose of that ring is to protect its bearer, but I can't protect you if I am on the other side of the city."
"You don't think that I can protect myself against a few wolves?" His voice warned her to tread carefully with her next few words.
"I think you are more than able to Elijah." She said, hoping that he won't take it as questioning his orders, but needing to voice her concerns. "But we both are not able to predict the outcome of what will happen tonight."
"Am I to believe, that by the sound of your voice a hint of concern for me?" He asked, allowing a bit of amusement into his voice.
"Not at all." She assured him, her own voice carried a hint of teasing. "I just don't want to switch masters so soon, I haven't finished breaking in the current one yet."
"Ah, I see." His voice then turned serious. "Go meet up with Hayley, keep a close watch on her tonight."
She nodded her head in acknowledgement and left to complete her orders.
Collecting the kids was laughably easy, the werewolves were easily drawn away by Marcel and Gia, and the rest went according to plan. Although when they got out of the passageway to find Gia, Keira couldn't help herself at Hayley's comment for Josh and Gia to keep quiet.
"Yes because the clanging of the grate coming down wasn't loud enough to wake up the dead already."
She ignored Hayley's dark look and continued to keep watch of anything that might be coming in their direction. After the kids got into the vehicle she hopped into the passenger side as well, grinning because she knew that it would force Hayley to get into the back with all of the kids.
She felt it, the instant that Elijah was killed. The ring sent a wave of agony, punishing her for her failure to protect him. She had felt this pain when each of her masters had died, but this one seemed to cut deeper.
"No, no, no, no." She moaned Elijah you idiot! Why couldn't you keep me with you instead of sending me out with to protect a bunch of kids? she was actually liking this master over the other ones, at least most of the time. She gave another moan as the ring left Elijah's hand and bonded with a new master.
"Pull this vehicle over now!" She demanded.
Marcel gave her a startled look, but she ignored it and opened the door, jumping out once the vehicle pulled to a stop. She turned to face Marcel, but found that she couldn't say anything so she just left, speeding down the road to get to where the ring was demanding she go.
She followed the pull to her new master, wondering just who it might be this time. She entered the cemetery and found her way into the same crypt that Hayley had pulled the witch they had rescued from. It was lit by candle light that gave her enough light that she could see her new mistress standing before a chained unconscious Elijah. The woman turned at the sound of Keira's footsteps and threw her hand up as if to cast a spell.
Keira lowered her eyes and knelt in front of her, keeping her eyes lowered to the floor.
"Mistress." Was all she could say.
"When I found this ring on my hand I wondered just who it was connected to."
She leaned down and gently grabbed Keira's chin, bringing her head up, and allowing her to see into Keira's eyes.
Keira said nothing and waited for her new mistress to give her orders.
"Why don't you tell me, child, just what this ring entails."
Keira nodded and proceeded to do so, still aware of Elijah's still, bloody figure hanging there, as if in silent condemnation of what was happening before him.
I thought that with Keira there some events might change and we will be going into AU mode with Keira saving the day against Esther, but the Muse struck and would not let this idea go.
Please don't kill me!
Note: the ring is passed on when it's bearer dies and it moves on to the 'killer' even though Elijah is not dead, dead, it still recognizes his temporary death as a full on death. i.e. no pulse, no life force. The creator of the ring did not think of Originals when they cursed the ring.