Chapter 44

My brother's keeper

Elijah looked through the window when a car drove out of the gate. Klaus had been too impatient to wait for him so he would follow them later. Elijah was still very mad at his brother for wanting to risk Annabelle's life like that. They would certainly have another conversation about that later. Ava was lighting incense.

"It is safe to speak", she said calmly.

Elijah turned to her.

"Thank you for your help today, I won't forget it."

Ava smiled.

"You are welcome."

"And thank you for agreeing to come with me to this…speakeasy. I hope it won't be completely unpleasant experience for you."

"I'm sure it won't be. But I must get changed first. Excuse me."

"Of course", Elijah replied.

Ava walked to the bathroom and closed the door. Elijah was just about to sit on the armchair when he heard a quiet knock.

"Yes?"

The door opened and Vincent sneaked in.

"Vincent", he greeted the younger vampire.

"Elijah. Is it safe to…"

"Yes. No one can hear us."

Vincent nodded.

"Good. And may I congratulate you for an excellent timing."

Elijah smiled.

"Thank you for letting me know what was going on."

Vincent shrugged.

"Yeah well, I figured that I owed you that much. And I didn't want the lovely lady to get hurt."

Elijah was quiet for a moment.

"You care about her, don't you?"

Vincent seemed uncomfortable.

"I'm not suicidal. She is Klaus' wife."

"Yes, she is. But nonetheless, I thank you for looking after her."

"Sure. Take care, Elijah."

"You too."

Vincent took a quick look around him before he sneaked out. Elijah didn't have to wait long before the bathroom door opened. Ava stepped out wearing a coral dress with short sleeves, matching gloves and a headband.

"I have never been in a speakeasy so I hope that I am properly dressed", she said.

Elijah smiled.

"Yes, you look lovely. Shall we then?"

He held out his hand for Ava. She took it and gave him a warm smile. Elijah was sure that this would be interesting.

...

I looked at the Chicago River. The speakeasy where we were going was near the riverbank. It was dark already and the water looked cold. I shivered.

"Are you cold, love?" Klaus asked and wrapped his arm around me. "Let's go inside."

We followed Stefan and Rebekah to the door. Stefan knocked and said something to the man who opened a small hatch. The building looked old and sleazy from the outside but inside was something else entirely. It was full of women wearing beautiful dresses and men wearing tuxedos. I was wearing a powder blue dress, a headband and high heels.

The band was playing on a small stage and people were chatting and dancing. Waitresses were carrying drinks to the tables. It looked like all the other speakeasies I had been before. The band was playing jazz. It sounded that they were very talented.

Klaus led me to a table and pulled out a chair for me. I sat down and enjoyed the music. I felt Klaus caressing my back and stroking my hair but I pretended that I didn't notice that at all. I wasn't ready to forgive him quite yet. And he definitely wouldn't get any tonight.

Stefan and Rebekah were snuggling on the other side of the table. They both seemed to be in a good mood. I was glad for Rebekah. She deserved to be happy. After I had listened to the band for a while, I excused myself and went to the restroom. There were many women powdering their face and adding more lipstick. I wanted to clean myself up a little as well.

When I stepped out, it started. I heard many loud bangs. People were screaming and running in panic. Many of them fell on the floor bleeding. I was shocked but my first thought was to make sure that Klaus was alright. I couldn't see him anywhere. More and more policemen came in shooting people who were trying desperately to get out. Maybe Klaus and Rebekah were already outside. I headed to the backdoor with many other people trying my best to avoid getting shot.

I saw some of the bullets on the floor. These weren't normal bullets. They were made of wood. Why would… Then it hit me. These bullets were designed to kill vampires. I had to find Klaus and Rebekah. I managed to get outside but I couldn't see either of them. I knew that I had to get away from this building. It was only the matter of time before the policemen would notice the other entrance. I ran with many other people without knowing where I was going. I had to find a place where I could wait for Klaus. He was alright. He had to be.

"Hold it right there!" someone yelled. It was probably a policeman.

I ran until someone pushed me and I lost my balance. Before I could do anything I was rolling down the riverbank, straight into the water. It was freezing. I tried desperately to keep my head above the surface but my body was going into a shock. For a short moment I thought about what would happen if I would drown.

I was panicking. It was dark and I couldn't even scream for help. I held on as long as I could but eventually I sank under the surface. I was terrified but that only lasted a second. Then I didn't really feel anything until someone grabbed me and started to pull me up. I gasped for air when we reached the surface. I didn't see who my savior was. He has dragging me towards the riverbank. I was barely conscious.

"Stay with me, missy", a man's voice said.

That was the last thing I heard before I passed out.

...

Elijah stared at the chaos in front of him. People were running back and forth. Elijah could smell the blood even from his observing place. He had no idea how many bodies there were inside. Humans. That didn't make any sense. Why would the policemen shoot unarmed people, unless… He had just walked out. Elijah hadn't seen his father for centuries. Mikael saw him as well. For some very strange reason he was smiling. Elijah didn't move when Mikael walked to him.

"Elijah. Well, this is a surprise."

"Father", Elijah said emotionlessly. "Did you manage to kill the rest of my family?"

Mikael looked amused.

"If you are referring to Niklaus and Rebekah, they escaped."

Elijah was relieved. He couldn't bare the thought of losing the rest of his siblings.

"What did you mean when you said the rest of your family?" Mikael asked.

"You know exactly what I meant", Elijah replied coldly.

"No, I am afraid not. By all means, enlighten me."

"Finn and Kol."

Mikael looked at him curiously.

"What about them?"

"Could you stop that already, I know that you killed them", Elijah said angrily.

Mikael smiled.

"No, I haven't even seen either of them for centuries."

Elijah stared at him.

"You are lying."

"Why would I lie? I haven't touched them. If I would have, I would tell you."

Elijah didn't know what to believe.

"No, they have disappeared…"

"As I said, I have nothing to do with that", Mikael interrupted him. "But if you want to know what happened to them, you might want to ask your bastard brother."

"What? Are you suggesting that Niklaus… That's a lie. You are just trying to turn us against each other."

Mikael laughed.

"Believe what you want but I am telling you, I did not kill your brothers. But I heard from a reliable source that Niklaus is the one who…made them disappear, so to speak."

Elijah was starting to believe that Mikeal was telling the truth. But that meant…No. His own brother… Elijah pulled himself together and looked at his father.

"Do we have to fight now?" he asked calmly.

"I'm afraid so", Mikael replied. "When ever you are ready, son."

Before Elijah could say anything, an invisible force flew Mikael against the wall.

"We're ready", Ava said.

Elijah lifted her in his arms and zoomed away from his father. He didn't seem to be following them but Elijah didn't stop before they were few blocks away.

"Thank you", Elijah said when he placed Ava on the ground.

"No problem. Are you alright?"

No, Elijah definitely wasn't alright. He needed to have a word with his brother.