Chapter 42

Not willingly

I had to get away. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. My husband wanted to use me as a vessel. He had no idea what he was asking. I still remembered every second of that ritual… It felt like my body would have been torn into pieces. The pain was unbearable. My body had been smaller then so Lucian and the others had failed to complete the ritual. I would never let anyone to do that to me again. Not willingly.

But I couldn't believe that Klaus had even asked that. I had given him everything I had, my body, my blood, my heart. Wasn't that enough? I walked quickly to the smaller living room. Thankfully no one was there. I sat in front of the piano and started to play. It usually helped me to calm down but not this time. I was too upset. I stood up and started to walk back and forth.

"Are you alright?" someone asked.

I startled. Vincent was sitting on an armchair in the furthest corner of the room. I couldn't believe I hadn't notice him. He looked very casual. I managed to nod.

"I come here when I want some peace and quiet", he said. "There's usually no one here."

I nodded. He was smiling politely. I wasn't sure what to do. I should probably just leave. For some reason, I didn't. I sat on the couch. Vincent was humming quietly. It sounded like some kind of hymn. That was strange. He certainly didn't seem like a religious type. He smiled when he noticed me looking at him.

"Do you know why they call me the saint?" he asked.

I shook my head.

"Well, it could be because I like when people beg but it's also because I used to be a choirboy."

I couldn't help but stare at him. He definitely looked like a choirboy with that innocent face of his but I knew it was all just a mask. I wasn't sure how old he actually was but I knew that he had been a vampire for a long time. I could saw it in his eyes.

"Yes, life is funny, isn't it?" It sounded that he was talking more to himself than to me. Then he continued humming. Somehow that calmed me. He had a very nice voice. I closed my eyes and just listened to him. Suddenly he stopped. I opened my eyes and saw him standing in front of me. He was looking at me very closely. There was curiosity and surprisingly some warmth in his dark brown eyes.

"I truly hope that he knows how lucky he is."

I had no idea how to react. He just smiled at me and walked out. That was strange. It didn't take long before Klaus came in. I turned my back to him. He sat next to me and touched my shoulder.

"I'm sorry Anna. Last thing I wanted was to make you feel bad."

I turned to look at him. He smiled and caressed my cheek.

"I would never do anything to harm you. I'm only asking you to reconsider this…"

I pulled away and shook my head. I signed to him that he didn't know what he was asking.

"It wouldn't hurt, I promise."

I shook my head. I knew that it would definitely hurt. And I didn't want to be used like that. I didn't want to give anyone that kind of power. It would be too dangerous. During my time on this Earth I had seen how power corrupted humans. He sighed.

"This is about taking back what's rightfully mine. What my mother took from me. Please Anna, could you do that for me?"

I told him that I was sorry but I wouldn't do that. Not willingly. He seemed tense.

"Fine", he snapped and marched out.

I was shivering. I knew how badly he wanted to break that curse so I was afraid that he would just do it against my will. I didn't want to believe that but I didn't think that he completely understood why I refused. I really wished that Elijah would be here. He would know what to do.

...

New York

Elijah opened his eyes. It took a moment before remembered where he was. It was a small tidy apartment. A woman who was lying next to him was still asleep. Elijah touched her curly brown hair. He wasn't sure how this had happened. Their relationship had been strictly professional, before last night. She was a very skilled witch and he had needed her help. Elijah hoped that this wouldn't ruin everything. Well, he would find that out soon enough. She was waking up.

"Hmm…Good morning", she murmured.

"Good morning, miss Wilson", Elijah replied and kissed her forehead.

She smiled.

"I believe that in these circumstances you can call me Ava."

Elijah smiled too.

"Alright, Ava then."

They were both quiet for a moment. Ava stood up and wore her white dressing gown.

"May I offer you some tea?" she asked.

"I do not wish to bother you…"

She waved her hand.

"I like to drink some tea when I wake up."

Elijah started to get dressed when Ava walked into her very small kitchen. She carried the tea tray in the living room.

"Thank you", Elijah said when he picked up a small porcelain cup.

He still wasn't sure how she wanted to handle this. Maybe it would be best to just ask.

"If you wish to talk about last night…" Elijah started.

"No, that won't be necessary", Ava interrupted him calmly. "I only hope that you don't think I am the kind of person who would do that with anyone…"

"No, no, absolutely not."

Ava cleared her throat.

"Perhaps we should get back to business. You were telling me about your missing siblings."

"Yes, my two brothers. I haven't heard from the other one for a long time and now it seems that my younger brother is missing as well. I usually hear from him at least once in a century."

"And you think this hunter had found them?"

"Yes, I believe it's possible."

Elijah hoped that he was wrong. If Mikael had found them…

"I recently received a letter from my third brother's wife and she suspected that someone is threatening her husband."

"I see. And you would like me to locate this hunter?"

"Yes. I would also like you to come to Chicago with me."

Ava looked at him cautiously.

"Forgive me but I have heard about your brother Klaus and I have no interest to meet him. He recruits witches…"

"No harm would come to you, I give you my word", Elijah said calmly. "And to be honest, I am not doing this for Klaus. My sister is with him and I care deeply about his wife."

"Oh. Is she a former lover of yours?" Ava asked.

Elijah shook his head.

"No. It is complicated."

Ava was quiet for a moment.

"Alright, I will come to Chicago with you. And I will do my best to find this hunter of yours."

Elijah smiled.

"Thank you, miss Wilson…Ava."

Elijah felt more relaxed when he finished his tea. He had missed his little Annabelle. Now he could finally see her again.