Chapter 4

Enigma

2 weeks later

Klaus looked at his brother who was just coming back from his ride. The little girl had been with him, as usually. Elijah had always wanted to take his rides alone. But now she was following him around everywhere like a little puppy. And he didn't seem to mind. Elijah has had a whole wardrobe made for her. She certainly didn't look like some vagabond anymore. She looked like a little princess. Klaus had never though Elijah as a paternal type. Perhaps this little creature fulfilled some hidden need of his.

Elijah hadn't shown any particular interest towards any human before. But thing was that something wasn't right. This little human wasn't right. Elijah didn't seem to notice that. Klaus had observed her very closely and he could tell that something wasn't quite as it should be. This girl was mimicking people's expressions and gestures like she was trying to act like anyone else. That was very interesting.

"Would you like something to eat Annabelle?" Elijah asked.

She nodded and took his hand. He smiled at her. Klaus rolled his eyes. He simply couldn't understand this. Klaus went to the library where Thomas was waiting for him. The young vampire bowed when he walked in.

"Were you successful?" Klaus asked.

Thomas looked uncomfortable.

"Forgive me, my lord, but I was not able to find out where these people were coming from. No one seemed to have any knowledge of them; I went to four villages…"

"And the gypsies?" Klaus asked.

"Apparently these people we not gypsies", Thomas said.

"So, you do not know where they were coming from or where they were heading?"

"Forgive me, my lord", Thomas said quietly.

"Hmm, keep looking", Klaus said and waved his hand.

"Yes my lord."

Thomas bowed again before he left.

Were those people really the little girl's family? Somehow Klaus doubted that. But who were they then? Now that was a good question.

...

"Very good Annabelle", he said. "You are a natural talent."

I smiled at him. He was teaching me how to play piano. It wasn't so difficult; I just copied what he did. I was sitting next to him and watched him play. I liked his playing; I could have listened to it the whole day. I didn't have much experience about music. It was one of the few things in this place I didn't hate. Unfortunately there weren't many of those things.

Well, I didn't hate him. And I would never forget the kindness he had shown me. If I have understand correctly, people, at least some of them, show this kind of kindness to their children. So it was probably this form that appealed to him. But what would happen when this body would change? It would become an adult's body. Would that mean that he wouldn't like me any more? I wasn't sure. How would I know how these things worked? I had to find that out.

"Do you want to try now?" he asked.

I nodded and repeated the song he had just played. He looked stunned.

"That was incredible", he murmured.

Was I not supposed to learn it so fast? I had to be more careful.

"Forgive me the intrusion my lord", a servant said. "Lord Byron is here to see you."

Elijah rolled his eyes.

"Where is he?"

"He is waiting for you in the hall, my lord."

"Tell him I shall be there soon."

"Yes my lord."

Elijah turned to me.

"I must go and see his lordship but between you and me, he is the most boring man I have ever met."

I smiled.

"Wait for me here."

I nodded. After he left I continued playing. I really enjoyed that. I was so concentrated to the music that I didn't notice his brother before he sat next to me. I stopped playing.

"Oh, do not mind me, please continue. It seems that you are very talented."

He was smiling at me. I didn't like that. There was always something menacing in his smile.

"So, little girl, I thought you might want to know that I have sent some people to find out where you and your family came from. Perhaps they can even find some more of your relatives. How does that sound?"

If he thought that would scare me he was wrong. He wouldn't find anything.

"How tragic it must be to lose your family like that. Does that make you sad, sweetheart?"

I looked at him calmly. Those people had held me captive and trapped me in this body. Was I sad that they were dead? No, I wasn't. He looked amused.

"I did not think so. What a little enigma you are."

I could say the same about him. Somehow I found him intriguing. But it would have been foolish not to see him as a threat. I smiled at him.

"Would you like me to play for you?" he asked.

I nodded. He played very good. I watched him closely.

"Your turn", he said.

I repeated the song.

"Impressive. I wonder what else you can do…"

I smiled and took his hand. That seemed to surprise him.

"Do not think that will work on me", he said amused. "Save that act for my brother."

No, I didn't think it would suddenly make him nice; I only wanted to see how he would react. At least he didn't seem hostile. I had to understand him before I would be able to deal with him. He was very different than his brother. There was darkness and cruelty in him. And yet, I wasn't afraid of him. Not really.