Chapter 36

My light in the dark

5 days later

I was in the library reading. Thankfully I hadn't heard anything from Kol. I wasn't going to be anyone's toy. I wasn't an object and I was willing to fight for myself. I was sick of crying and being afraid. I was a person and I had rights. Yes, that sounded great but the truth was that it didn't really change anything. If Kol or anyone else would decide to capture me again, there wasn't much I could do to stop them.

That made me angry. I refused to be anyone's property. Not Kol's, not Klaus', not anyone's. I was full of determination, when I heard someone shouting. I dropped my book and ran towards the noise. I had to make sure that Elijah was alright. He was in the parlor with Klaus. They were arguing.

"She is my wife!" Klaus shouted. "I want to see her right now!"

"Have you not done enough damage already?"

"I am warning you, brother…"

He didn't finish his sentence when he noticed me.

"Anna…"

Elijah turned to look at me as well.

"Everything is alright Annabelle", he said calmingly. "Niklaus and I are just talking."

"Yes, everything is alright", Klaus added.

Did they think that I was a child? I looked at Klaus, waiting for him to tell why he was here. He took a step towards me. I noticed that he looked very different than last time when I had seen him. He had shaved and he was wearing a nice tidy clothes. And he was sober.

"I would like to talk to you", he said calmly.

I hesitated a second before I nodded.

"Perhaps we can take a walk in the garden?"

I looked at Elijah. He seemed cautious. Then I looked at Klaus.

"I only want to talk to you", he said. "I will leave if you ask me to."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Elijah asked looking at me.

Klaus gave him an annoyed look but Elijah ignored him. I shook my head and signed to him that I would be alright. Klaus smiled and held out his hand for me. I took it and we walked outside together. Elijah had a very nice garden and I had enjoyed spending time there. I felt a gentle breeze on my face. It was a beautiful day. There was a moment of silence before Klaus started to speak.

"I am so sorry", he said quietly. "I can't even imagine what you must think of me." He paused before he continued. "I know that I messed everything up but I want you to know that things are different now."

I looked at him and asked what he meant. He took both of my hands and looked me in the eyes.

"I need you Anna, you are my light. Please come home with me."

I shivered when I remembered what I had seen in that house. I told him that I was sorry but I couldn't go back there.

"No, no", he said quickly. "We would not go there. I have prepared a real home for you. For us. But it is not a home without you. Please… I can't loose you."

I looked at him for a while. He sounded sincere and I couldn't help but feel a small glimpse of hope. I wanted to say yes but I was still cautious. So much had happened and it would take time to work things out. I felt confused.

"Would you come with me to look at the house?" he asked. "I will bring you back here when ever you want, I give you my word. I won't force you to stay if you do not want to."

I hesitated. How could I turn him down? But I still had to be cautious. I asked could Elijah come too. Klaus didn't seem very happy but he managed to hide it quickly.

"Of course, sweetheart."

I nodded and headed back inside. I really hoped that Elijah would want to come with us. I didn't think that I was ready to be alone with Klaus.

...

Klaus looked at his brother when they were sitting in the parlor. Annabelle had gone to change her clothes before they would leave. Elijah seemed tense.

"I know that you love Anna but I need you to understand that I love her as well", Klaus said.

"You have had a strange way of showing it", Elijah replied.

Klaus forced himself to stay calm, although he was very annoyed. He didn't like explaining himself to anyone.

"We have had our differences but you are my brother Elijah and I am asking for your support. I know that Anna values your opinion so please don't try to turn her against me."

Elijah snorted.

"I think you are perfectly capable of doing that yourself. But this is not about you Niklaus, I only care what is best for Annabelle."

"Yes, I agree completely. She deserves to be happy."

"And you think she could be happy with you?"

"Yes. I would do anything for her. I know that I have made many mistakes but I have changed. You will soon see that yourself."

Elijah didn't seem convinced.

"I need her, Elijah", Klaus said. "You saw what I became without her."

Elijah sighed.

"Yes, I admit that she has a positive influence on you but you must remember that she is not some object you can own. You can not force her to be with you."

"No, of course not. I just want her to see the house. If she wants to leave, I won't stop her."

Elijah nodded.

"I truly hope you mean that, brother."

"I do", Klaus said. "She deserves better and I am going to be better. For her."

Elijah didn't say anything. Klaus kept his face emotionless. He wasn't going to fail so Elijah better stay out of his way. Otherwise he mind end up like Finn. And Kol. Klaus smiled. That was his little secret. He would be better for Anna but anyone else who would dare to cross him, would face his full wrath. During the last century, he had gathered a nice group of loyal followers. Vampires, witches, warlocks. And as soon as Anna would be his again, he could concentrate on his next goal. Breaking the curse. Becoming invincible. That was certainly something to look forward to.