CHAP 20:
Tears ran freely down my cheeks as I wallowed in what my life had become. There were no words to describe the hopelessness I felt. The world was crashing in on me and I wasn't strong enough to keep the weight from pressing me further and further into my safe corner of filth. It was claustrophobic and yet it was as much a comfort as a stress. In this very moment I was safe. Feeling as though I would never be clean again, but safe. Funny how the definition of the word had angled to being any measure of distance from Klaus. While Klaus' attempt at my rape before we'd left Michael's house was as horrifying and traumatic as what had just happened. I felt liberated instead of torn to shreds on the inside at his success. Physically my head pounded from hitting the floor and an unpleasant ache in my lower abdomen had begun with intensity as I sat in the corner. Who knew what the damage was inside? I wasn't about the ask to be healed though. The injuries to my body seemed irrelevant right now. I had survived. It had it's good and bad aspects. But if I was to live I wasn't going to let myself die on the inside. I was capable of living through this. I would stay whole. There was no way I would ever roll over and take this. Sure I was powerless. But I still had my mind. And that was something Klaus couldn't mess with. Or at least, if he could. I wouldn't fall to any of his attempts on my sanity. The fact that he'd find me boring if I did regress into myself was appealing however. I should do anything and everything to avoid seeming attractive to Klaus in any way shape or form. Yet, as I sat with my eyes glued to Elijah with as much strength as our bond I knew I couldn't not resist Klaus. It wasn't in my nature. I was stubborn and resilient. Elijah had noticed those qualities and he'd never tried to break them down. In fact he'd almost nourished them by allowing me to pick up on my own emotions through the sticky mess of my walls that were braced by aspects of my character. Elijah believed in me.
While I'd come to harbour my own self-belief and had cast aside anyone else's in fear of it wavering when I most needed it. I allowed Elijah's to fill me up. Like the bruises I bore from Klaus' first attack, these new ones and his intimate violation were marks of survival. I could do this. I was strong and fierce. Not to mention I had Elijah. In a manner of speaking. Depending on what Klaus intended to do with him. Klaus' voice interrupted my morose, turned optimistic self pep-thoughts.
"That didn't take long, sweetheart. I think I'm impressed." I ignored him. "Now, don't be like that love. I'm complimenting you. It's always taken much longer for other's to clean their souls with tears after me. Even those who've enjoyed it. Tell me Elena. Did you enjoy me?" He wondered aloud cockily. I realised that he was referring to my dried up tears. It hadn't even occurred to me that my eyes had ceased their out pour. Judging by his tone he was after a rise.
"You were amazing." I said sarcastically with a bored tone to my voice. "Best I've ever had. Blah, blah, blah. You probably know the rest of that speech. I'm sure you've heard it in abundance." Klaus flashed before me crouched down so his face was centre metres from mine. While I held my breath I smiled in satisfaction at Elijah's still form. I hadn't jumped from Klaus' vampire speed. His hot breath wafted across my face but I still didn't look directly at him. My breathing took on a conservative pace and I did my best not to show how him being close made me feel even more dirty than I already did.
"I'll bet I am the best you've ever had, love. Because I'm probably all you've ever had."
"You say that like I'm supposed to find that offensive. I don't." I said simply, shifting my eyes to his. Schooling myself so I didn't recoil at the glittering fury in his blue orbs.
"You know." He began, as he brought his left hand up to play with a tendril of my hair that fell down over my collar bone. "While not all virgins these days have their hymen's intact due to women having more active roles socially. Wether from sports or simply female roles in society involving more run around. I can tell when my prize has had at best little, or no use. You are deliciously tight sweetheart. A fantastic indication of having never accommodated a man. That is until now." My skin crawled at his talk of sex and his assessment of my body. Yet I couldn't help but snort a little in laughter at his last comment.
"I seriously hope you don't mean yourself." I gave him a look of pure humour. But was disappointed when it didn't last long as the back of his hand swiped across the right side of my face. Forcing my head swiftly to the left as a cry left my mouth. My cheek stung and I grimaced before jerking my head back to face him. "You seem extremely full-on with sexuality Klaus. Are you over compensating for the act that your own breeding derived from?" I spat. His hand flew up again and repeated it's assault on my face, the sting turned to a burn. I grit my teeth to stop a second cry leaving me and tears welled in my eyes, but they didn't threaten to show themselves to the monster in front of me. Not as swiftly as I had the first time, I returned my gaze to his and raised an eyebrow.
"Surely you have not forgotten your rules. Elena?" I could feel the swell of blood build on my cheek bone before it began streaking down my face.
"You said it was advisable that I respect you. It wasn't a specific rule." He smirked.
"It is advisable. Never mind. I'll have your respect soon." Klaus leaned in, bringing his face closer toward my bleeding cheek and licked up the red trail. The stroke of his tongue causing me to wince. Despite not wanting to touch him I pressed my palms against his chest wanting to ensure distance between us. My stomach lurched and I tried to pull my head away but he kept me steady with a hand at the back of my skull. "Back on topic." Her murmured as he pulled away. With relief I removed my hands from him. "Did you enjoy me Elena?" I smirked. I wasn't as confident after being struck. But I wasn't about to fall shy. Especially since I wasn't comfortable with any of this conversation. It simply wasn't an option. Plus it would provide ammunition for Klaus to keep pushing my discomfort. I took a deep breath to stabilise any rising fear that might occur throughout the rest of this conversation.
"If by enjoying you, you mean are you the best I've ever had? Then, no." Klaus narrowed his eyes at me and searched my face, giving me a look of scepticism. "Hey. If you don't believe me, you could always read my mind. Perhaps I could flash a few images up for you?" I offered cheekily.
"You, are bordering on very thin ice with that mouth of yours Elena." He hissed severely. I just looked at him indifferently despite the jolt of fear that raced through me. While I intended to bait him and get on his nerves, I did have to be careful about how, and the amount I did so. Apparently picking on his substandard mind-reading abilities was a volatile spot to aim for. Noted. "So. Since we're going to be constantly intimate, perhaps you might share your prior experience? Or experiences."
"That's hardly relevant information. It's not like I've acquired any sought after skill that I would relay with you. I may as well be a doll when it comes to having sex with you Klaus. Bugger your rules. I won't respond." Came my plain response.
"Hmm. We'll see. Come, come now. Tell me a little something about your deflower-er, or previous partners. Or are you embarrassed that he or they don't measure up to me? Or, perhaps you're embarrassed because there was no repeat occurrence. What might have been good for you, wasn't for them." He laughed cruelly. My smirk seemed to curb his enthusiasm a little. God it was laughable really. Elijah, not measure up to Klaus? It was the other way around and Klaus would never come close. Elijah was a kind, good hearted, feeling and affectionate man. His love was almost tangible, like something physical that could be wrapped around me and held close.
"More like the other way around." I murmured softly as I casually looked away from Klaus at the floor before shifting my eyes to look at Elijah. By the time I'd brought them up to Klaus' again. It was obvious he'd caught a hint of my meaning from the hard set features on his face. Yet he looked like he was holding back his reaction, as if waiting or confirmation. Which I gave reufully. I didn't really want to use Elijah and my intimacy in this way. But it would have an affect on Klaus and maybe he'd leave me alone for a while if he heard something he really didn't want to hear. And I had a feeling that Klaus wouldn't appreciate knowing his brother had once again interfered in some way. "As if you could measure up to Elijah." I finished soberly. It was laughable really, that Klaus could come close to the same standard of human as Elijah was.
"You're lying!" He snarled at me. Grasping my shoulders with his hands and shaking me a little. I couldn't stop the visible shiver that ran through my body. Klaus face didn't even show him taking pleasure in my wide eyes, nor my rapidly beating heart he was that angry. He froze. His only movement was the increasingly tight grip on my shoulders, but I hardly felt the pain through my fear. I could hear the air he forced out of his nose as if he was finding it physically difficult to keep his current position. He wants me to confirm it. Like he's giving me the chance to take back who I said. I knew it was stupid. Klaus was livid and giving me the chance to reduce his anger, but I chose not to. It was so stupid. But in a way I was testing the waters. I did need to know what I was up against. How hard I could push it. Klaus previously stated how interfering Elijah was.
"No. It was Elijah. He's beaten you to something else yet again. How does it feel to have achieved something that isn't as pure to your actions as you perhaps intended? I don't bear your mark. You haven't taken anything from me or wronged me in any excruciatingly personal way. Not that I would feel as though you stole something precious to me if you had of. There's that many virgin or maiden occurrences in everyday life that simply seems natural as opposed to special. So I really wouldn't have been bothered. Sorry to disappoint." I finished spitefully and cocked my head to the side. Klaus appeared to be self combusting right in front of me as I spoke. I grimaced as his fingers dug down to press against bone. Baring his teeth he looked savage and veins swelled around his darkening eyes Shit. I began to struggle, but his hands on my shoulders kept me too still. Only my legs legs were free. But they weren't in a good enough position to make contact with Klaus. So I merely kicked out at air as I tried to fight. Elijah had never looked this savage. This was truly scary. Temper, temper Klaus. Don't slip up and kill the doppleganger now. I hoped he wouldn't hold back and would just kill me. When his fangs fell down from his gums his head shot forward and he sunk them into the side of my neck. Please kill me. Please.
"Oh, I'll stop love. You'll wish you were dead. You'll beg me aloud for death and I will deprive you of it. Time and time again if you continue to disrespect me so. "Klaus said as if in a chamber of sorts. His words echoed around inside my head and I knew it wasn't just my mind gloatingly telling me how stupid it was of me to aggravate the sadistic vampire. He can communicate through thoughts? Screaming out in pain my hot blood leaked out around his mouth and slide down the side of my neck. I assumed that Klaus had either drunk or allowed a hell of a lot of blood to leave my body, when all to quickly I was losing some strength in my body and my head became foggy. I closed my eyes for a few long moments. As soon as I stopped struggling I was aware of being pulled by my legs out from my corner and my back and head slid to and along the floor of the van. My eyes shot open at this in time to see Klaus parting the top of my robe. "Yes." He hissed. "You know so little about my mind-reading abilities. Stupidly mocking them as you do. I can communicate within your mind." My struggles were useless. I was still moderately strong. But I suppose it didn't matter where vampire strength was concerned. Klaus ran his fingers along the left side of my rib cage pressing his digits into each space between the ribs as he did so. He stopped and pressed painfully hard between two ribs that ran to the centre of my chest exactly where my bra wire would sit. Pain shot around my side nearly all the way to my spine and I gasped. I looked up pleadingly at Klaus to see the malice in his facial features. He looked almost ecstatic as well. Had he found a specific location on my rib cage?
"Don't." I said weakly despite not knowing exactly what he was going to do. It wasn't like I'd enjoy anything this vampire did anyway. Klaus just smirked down at me while keeping his eyes on mine as he trailed his fingers along the path of pain that he'd just caused. The pained ebbed away gradually before his hand returned to the spot where he had just pressed his fingers in. He placed the tip of his thumb and index finger in the groove and pushed down before twisting them so that the top side of his finger and thumb were pressed against the two surrounding ribs.
Blinding pain shot around towards my back again and gasping, I emptied my lungs of air completely. It was so painful I didn't want to draw in another breath, but I had to. Inflating my lungs I mentally screamed and tears leaked out of the corners of my eyes.
"Interesting, isn't it? How the body harbours trigger points which refer pain to areas other than where contact as simple as this is applied." Klaus drawled, keeping his deep voice low. "Almost as interesting as how everything is connected. For instance. I can push here." He deepened the pressure of his thumb and finger. "And increase the space between these ribs." Klaus slowly, began separating his thumb and index finger so that they pushed my ribs further apart than they should be. I groaned through gritted teeth and lost all the air from my lungs again. Taking short, shallow breaths and practically began hyperventilating. "Which puts strain on the muscles on the inside of the rib cage that are attached to each rib, as well as the lungs." Something gave beneath the strain Klaus was putting on my ribs and I screamed in agony. The white hot pain was blinding and I couldn't bring myself to take another breath. Starved of oxygen my body convulsed and forced me to inhale. The tearing pain in my left side was excruciating and a blood curdling scream left me. The sound was shocking. I never thought I'd experience anything that would cause such a sound to leave me. "Making each and every breath torture." Klaus finished. I nearly didn't hear him over my screaming. His hot breath on my ear told me he'd leaned down so that I would hear. "I wonder." He mused out loud. "How long you'll last before you pass out from either the lack of oxygen or pain." Klaus said it almost like a challenge and I really wished I could push through the pain, breath normally. Simply ignore everything. But I wasn't that strong and I longed for the deep abyss of unconsciousness. Anything to escape the pain. It didn't come. Come on. Please! Please.
Sobbing and screaming through the pain over several minutes I picked a point on the roof of the van and stared at it. I couldn't see Klaus so assumed he'd retreated from me. Eventually my voice became hoarse and my cries died away.
"Once again, I think I'm impressed." Klaus stated before he came into view again, squatting next to me again. Closing the front of my robe he then rolled me onto my side. The movement forced a piercing scream from my raw throat and despite it causing me more pain I automatically drew my knees up towards my chest slightly and curled into a position that had a vague similarity to the foetal position. I could now see Elijah easily again and just focused my eyes on him as I rode out the refreshed pain.
"Bastard." I whispered hollowly.
"Perhaps you'll learn something form this experience love. While I love your spunk, I find each of your attempts to challenge me tiring. You need to learn your place Elena. It's just divine providence that you have someone such as myself to keep you in line." I lay at still as possible and focused only on Elijah. Finally the thrum of the moving vehicle lulled me into a light sleep. An escape I was thankful for.
Klaus was rousing me. Whispering my name in a sing-song manner to get my attention. Thank goodness he didn't shake me awake because I didn't know if I could handle the pain. Right now as I lay quietly it was like a reprieve. I was deadly still, yet relaxed and my breathing was shallow. But the pain had become a fast paced throb, and each breath brought me a pang of discomfort instead of a tearing sharpness in my side. Wether the pain had receded, or I'd merely gotten used to it I didn't know. Maybe my mind was helping me by making me think it wasn't as bad as it really was. Presently, I really didn't care. I realised the van was no longer moving and opened my eyes to be met with Klaus' excited blue ones. He reminded me of a kid on Christmas morning. This can't be good.
"Good, you're awake. I wouldn't want you to miss this." He moved away from me so he wasn't blocking my view of Elijah who was now also lying on his side. Okay. Something's going on. After a few minutes of waiting for Klaus to say or do something more. I closed my eyes with every intention of going back to sleep. Stuff him. A loud crack and a series of pops met my ears accompanied by some shuffling and I snapped my eyes open to see Elijah tensing and writhing in sporadic movements on the floor. He was breathing hard and everything that was going on sounded extremely painful. With each crack that reined out from his movements I mentally cringed. My heartbeat sped up in panic and worry for him. Was Klaus doing something to him, or was this Jonas again?
"Stop it. Stop it you're hurting him." I pleaded Klaus softly. Shifting my head to look at him and found him sitting on the seat again.
"I'm not doing anything." He replied smugly.
"Then call off your witch or warlock." I tried to say demandingly, but there was no conviction in my request.
"I suppose it's not surprising that you think I'm at the root of everything. But my brother is reviving from his temporary demise." Klaus held up a dagger in his hand and I recognised the handle as the one that had been sticking out of Elijah's back. "This is the standard process of revival. He hasn't been stilled for long so I wouldn't worry about him hurting. This is nothing compared to vampires staked with one of these for centuries. He'll live." I turned my head back to Elijah and watched him still. His head lolled to face me and I saw his eyes were out of focus. Closing down over his glazed eyes his lids didn't meet the soft skin beneath his eyes and the sight was plain scary. He looked lifeless. Which for a vampire is saying something. Not letting my worry get the better of me I kept my tears reined in. He alive, he's fine. Watching and waiting I kept my eyes glued to Elijah for the slightest of movements. Isn't he? Suddenly he was stood, his sudden propulsion from the floor causing the stationary van to rock from side to side. I groaned and screwed my eyes shut as the movement made me tense to keep myself still. Despite my effort it still caused me a tremendous amount of pain. When I next looked at Elijah his expression was extremely dark.
There were slight veins around his nearly black eyes and his body was like stone he stood so rigidly. His gaze was set between Klaus and I, like he was assessing his surroundings in his peripheral vision. After a moment Elijah spoke, his seething tone deep and almost a rumble.
"Brother." His head turned slowly to look down at me on the floor. A muscle in Elijah's jaw tensed as he took in the sight of me. Bet I look pretty as a picture. Though it seemed impossible his eyes darkened even more as they ran over me. I noticed the slight flare of his nostrils and wondered if he smelled Klaus on me. Lifting the corners of my mouth slightly upwards I tried to give him even a hint of reassurance. I'm okay. If I'd thought he looked broken from Klaus' last attack, it was nothing compared to how raw he seemed right now. As if he was on an unrelenting cycle of torment. Tears sprung to my eyes. I was hurting this amazing man again and he was beating himself up about it. Elijah blinked and impossibly I picked up on the slight wavering of his eyelids, like he was going to blink but decided against it. Like he was forcing himself to keep looking at me, before turning his head to face Klaus. As if he felt he didn't have the right to rid himself of my image with the comforts of darkness. Even if he was just blinking. I'd think I'd just imagined it if I hadn't picked up on the slightest things about him before now.
"Glad you could join us Elijah." Klaus said chuckling.
"What are you playing at Niklaus? One would assume that once you'd daggered me that it would be resolute in it's placement."
"Now it's that sort of thinking that makes you such a buzz-kill, brother. Surely you haven't forgotten that I like to enjoy my existence? There's no need to be compliant to society when the world is laid bare at your feet. You know I take what I want, not to mention I like to see my accomplishments over rivals. I intend to enjoy myself. You've become rather attached to this doppleganger over all the others and it has been your weakness. I would have thought you'd have learned after caring for Katerina. That lost you my trust, which isn't a picnic is it brother? Nevertheless, you're actually free to go, though you are welcome to stay. I only require Elena. But I have a feeling you won't wish to leave her alone with me."
"No woman should be left alone with you. You don't see them as anything more than toys."
"Ah, but that is where Elena is different. She is most valuable." Klaus stood and walked past Elijah to approach me. I lay still, not stupid enough to bring myself more pain. "And most enjoyable." He squatted down to me but turned his head to look back at Elijah. I followed his gaze and saw Elijah's hands were fisted by his side. The veins around his eyes had disappeared and his cold stare shot simmering daggers at Klaus. As soon as Klaus began turning his head back to me Elijah's eyes switched to my own, softening the slightest amount. Taking stock in them, I never wanted to break the contact.
I saw a blur of movement from Klaus and his wrist was pressed to my closed mouth and a hot metallic tang wound it's way into my nostrils. Moving, pain shot through me forcing out a gasp. It allowed Klaus' blood to pass into my mouth and I moaned as the taste washed over my tongue. Sucking greedily I swallowed mouthful upon mouthful of the sweet warm liquid. Eyes fluttering closed my breathing increased and I arched my back when a wave of heat washed over my body right down to my toes and I no longer felt any pain. Gripping his wrist with my hands I dug my nails into his skin. Skin that I associated with Elijah's. Hearing him hiss I sat up and followed the direction of the noise. Removing my hands from his forearm I reached out while moving towards him. I found his shoulder with my left hand and snaked my hand up behind his neck and pulled myself close. Pressing against his firm chest with my right hand before trailing it down. Down to where I wanted to find him eager and waiting. My hand found the firm bulge of his member and rubbed slowly against it. My skin was on fire as I waited to hear his pleasured sounds.
"Yes." He hissed before moaning. A gush of heat pooled low in my abdomen and deliciously trickled down to coat the path to my opening. My head was suddenly forced back with a tug of my hair, removing the source of blood from my lips. "Not now sweetheart. We have company." My eyes focused through my lust on the man before me. Klaus! It wasn't a man but a monster. Crying out in horror I began pushing myself away from Klaus. He caught the back of my head with his hand, kissed me roughly on the mouth and cleaned the smear of blood that encircled it with his tongue. I pushed at his chest to no avail. But once he was done he pushed me away with enough force that I hit the wall of the van with my head. Ouch. So much for not feeling any pain. I had a slight ache in my rib cage and lower abdomen since drinking his blood, so things were much better. But then he'd gone and caused me more.
"Prick." I spat. I wasn't one to use such language, but I felt inclined to do so in this moment.
"Like I said Elena. Not now. Perhaps I'll let you have mine again later." He smirked at me as he stood. My nausea increased and I thought I was going to be sick again. Shakily wiping my forearm across my mouth I looked up Elijah's pained face with my own as tears threatened to fall from my eyes. The moisture was a half physical, half emotional reaction. Why didn't he stop me?
"You, are a prick." I re-stated which he my eyes darted back and forth between Elijah and Klaus I wondered exactly what was going on. Klaus wasn't stronger than Elijah was he? Or did Elijah think that if he made a move that Klaus would hurt me more?
"Doesn't she smell inviting Elijah?" He looked at me hungrily as he referred to my arousal. I felt ashamed. "It's times like these that please me to be your brother. It is such good fortune that something serving a purpose to me is bound to you. Don't you agree?" He turned to Elijah and gave him a questioning look. "Now. Are you staying Elijah?"
"Yes." Elijah replied curtly to which Klaus laughed joyously.
"Good, good. Let's go inside then shall we?" Klaus turned to me and extended his arm. Expecting me to take it. "Up you get my pet." I looked at him dumbly. Glancing at Elijah I caught his insistent expression and decided to do as Klaus asked. Standing I stepped slowly towards Klaus. The door of the van slid open to reveal Jonas and I directed myself towards the opening, but Klaus snagged my upper arm in a bruising grip and drew me close. "Watch yourself Elena." He hissed. " As soon as you leave this van. You are to behave how I direct you to in front of my comrades. Now, take. My. Arm." He murmured dangerously. Releasing his grip and offering me the crook of his right elbow as he watched me intently. I watched Jonas move away from the door out the corner of my eye.
"He has Jeremy and Jenna, Elena." Elijah spoke softly. I swung my head to Elijah open mouthed as my blood ran cold. No. I had just a moment to realise Klaus knew more about me than he'd lead on during his first attack before my head snapped to the left again as he struck me. I reeled, covering my cheek with my right palm and took a step back. But Klaus hooked the arm he'd offered around my left and pulled me close. Directing me to walk next to him. I did.
"Why must you take the fun out of everything brother? I wanted to announce my leverage." Klaus said in frustration as he walked me towards the door, before dropping his voice to a growl. "Elena's misfortune will be an additional consequence to any of your intentions to disrupt my plans." What is the other consequence? We'd reached the door and from the slightest lightening of the sky, saw that dawn was on it's way.
The massive building before me was dark and ominous, but that could have been due to the lack of visibility.
"Pity my restraint won't keep Elena from the misfortune of yourself Niklaus." Elijah spoke gravely.
"Depends on where you sit on the matter Elijah. I will not find it in any measure displeasing." Klaus stepped out of the van, pulling me with him. Looking back over my shoulder to see Elijah following close behind, Klaus pulled on my arm and I faced forwards as we walked towards the building. My heart beating wildly in my chest. Jonas joined our procession to my right. Everyone was silent and I didn't want to aggravate Klaus any more than he already had been. But I had something to say.
"I understand why you did it Jonas." I said softly in understanding without looking at him. Klaus didn't seem to have any objection to my spoken statement and we continued towards the structure before us.
