Author's babble: Hello lovely readers. Do enjoy :).
CHAP 41:
Klaus and I sat in silence while he sipped a few times from his glass before speaking again.
"I don't simply find you and your role in the grand scheme of things to be convenient to my desire for romance. It's not as if I've chosen to court you in such a manner just because you are here. There are many factors Elena. Some of them I'm quite sure you'll object to. But then you wouldn't be worthy of me, if you just accepted what I can offer you as freely as other's have."
"Great. So my dislike of you is what makes me attractive and thus suitable to be your fuck-buddy-." I bit before his hand applied some gentle pressure around my neck to shush me.
"This has nothing to do with sex you ignorant woman." He growled in response. "Everyone needs love. Even me. It enriches a part of you that seems not even in existence until you desire it. I have longed-," his voice softened and his hand left my neck and played in my hair while gazing at me with hooded eyes. "To be able to indulge in it again would be so very sweet. It's often surprised me how strongly I've felt it's absence. I couldn't appreciate it at first. Not really. If I had, then perhaps I might have allowed myself to be weak within it. Instead, I've been forced to feel at a loss rather than being satisfied when I've been with women over the years. Only now. With you, have I felt differently. There in itself is how conveniently you have fallen into my lap so-to-speak. You're a strong woman Elena. It's an admirable quality. So many female vampires are strong through the growth in their egos following their turning. Your strength is not ego driven. It's wholesome and downright sexy. A definitive part of you." I'd been staring at him openly for the entirety of his speech. Somewhere along the way his words had got under my skin and mellowed my disgust.
"Those are some nice words." I acknowledged. Despite his face right before me it was like I couldn't even see him for I was focused on nothing specific.
"Meaningful words." He responded nodding his head curtly without taking his eyes from mine. "Every one of them. If you'd receive them with the open mind I asked for earlier it would please me. More than you can appreciate from your limited lifespan."
"I'm listening aren't I?" I said off-handly as I looked down. I'd finally begun to refocus on the man in front of me and the deep gentle look in his eyes was making me panic. Before me sat a seemingly gentle and sensitive man. If he was currently being genuine, then this was a whole different side of him that he obviously kept hidden from all. I felt even more responsible for his actions than usual and wanted to be obedient. But more so I felt the heavy weight of a man's affections weighing on me. I wasn't one to crush someone's hopes of love. Though this was new and unexpected from Klaus, it seemed more crucial than ever to keep him in good spirits. If I continued in my normal resisting fashion regarding his wishes after he'd opened up, it could land me in a worse state. He'd shut me up by squeezing his hand around my throat for goodness sake!
"And do you like what you're hearing?" We stared at each other as he waited patiently, but I could see how his jaw was clenched. Any other time just seeing that would have meant he was angered but with his face so soft, it seemed more like he was actually hopeful for what I was going to say. The kind of hope an other guy might have when approaching a girl they were genuinely attracted to out. I narrowed my eyes slightly as I assessed him further.
"I get the feeling that you'd really like it if I said that I do."
"I would."
"I-. I-ts hard for me to process what you just said to be honest. You're behaving like a whole different person. One far different to what I've had to become used to."
"I am. Being honest. This is me Elena. I swear I'm not the monster you perceive me to be. We could be very happy together." Could? Not will? That's less commanding than usual. Klaus assured me in earnest. Though absurd, I think I believed him. During sex when Klaus became caring and human, it had to come from somewhere. He wasn't self serving at those times. In fact it was like his actions during sex was perhaps all he would give away about how giving he could and perhaps wanted to be. Keeping in his forceful character, perhaps that fell away when he was giving what he could to me in the moment. Otherwise it was all he had been willing to let himself indulge in as he'd put it.
"I think I believe that. It's just such a contrast to how you are normally. Which then makes me doubt you even more because you're a great actor to keep up appearances so well."
"Except you've seen me slip. I know. I'm prying, but you're right. When we-." He paused and took a deep breath and smiled gently at me. His eyes took on more warmth before he sipped again from his glass and placed it on the table next to mine. I watched him with trepidation as his free hand found one of mine in my lap and entwined our fingers with palms facing together. When he finally continued it was a soft murmur. "I feel so consumed when inside you. Knowing that I've brought you to the highest peaks of pleasure." I shifted in awkwardness slightly and my cheeks flushed with heat. "I just want to give you more. Make you feel me. How very real and ever-present I want to be for you. It's not just physical. The physical act is just the representation. It's passion. What I feel is powerfully overwhelming yet fragile and this amazing energy fills my chest in knowing that I'm the one who has you in his bed. I can believe for a mere moment that your pleasure makes you feel sated and happy with me. Since the rest of the time you're so resistant." I slowly tried to get my hand back but he kept hold of it.
"Klaus. I-. I don't want to just disregard all that you're saying. But I can't, appreciate it all in one sitting. You're pressuring me. I really can't do this." I began stressed and began to slightly whine. "Can we just go home, or out with everyone else?"
"Shh." He gave my hand a squeeze. "No. We cant. But I'll back off a bit shall I? Leave the deep and meaningful conversation for another time. Smiling appreciatively I squeezed gently back. I had to give him something. It felt so wrong to do so. In the real world that squeeze would give someone hope. Giving Klaus misleading hope could never be a good thing. But I really didn't want him to continue spilling his guts like he was. They were very affecting words. I didn't want to believe them. For how could I believe anything he ever said? There always seemed to be an agenda. I hated myself for even letting him get under my skin, because even if what he'd said wasn't true, now when I looked at him it wasn't all so black and white. While I couldn't believe him on face value. I couldn't discredit him either.
"Thank you."
"Lets start our main hmm? While you tell me about your family." Klaus suggested to which I agreed to dubiously.
Resignedly I did talk with him about my family though it seemed pointless since he'd interfered with my life in Mystic Falls. Nothing was as it once was and the topic didn't do anything to lift my spirits about this date we were on. But I found myself rather interested in Klaus when he began talking about his own family though. Elijah had told me of his loss but not of the specifics. There hadn't been a time where it'd come up. It was likely to be a sore point for him in any case. It was obvious that Klaus was very close with his sister. His brothers were perhaps dependant on the time. What struck me as odd was how he didn't seem to enjoy talking about his parents. I wasn't so interested as to pry but when our discussion fell into a lull between dinner and dessert I got up my nerve.
"Why did you kill them?" I queried softly. Klaus raised his eyebrows as if surprised.
"Because I love them of course."
"That, doesn't make sense. To kill because you love." Pouring more wine into my glass and then his own I observed his frown curiously. Wondering if this was perhaps a touchy subject I was ready to retract my question but then Klaus answered.
"I'd thought you understood me earlier. How I couldn't afford love until now. I had to get rid of them for their sake, just as much as my own. I am of course referring solely to my siblings here. My relationship with my father was nothing worthy of protecting and my mother could handle herself."
"So you killed them to protect them?"
"There are things worse than death love." He pointed out darkly. "Plus they would have been used against me. Even if they didn't support me. To be fair by killing them I was protecting myself equally." He paused then elaborated. "I don't enjoy ridicule at the best of times and need to be focused in all my endeavours. They would not have understood what I'm so close to doing. To be outcast by one's family is painful enough, as you'd know." I blinked and looked away from him as he paused again. "But to have them forming a resistance against you hurts so very much." Klaus' voice had become raw.
"So they were all against you? Not just Elijah."
"Yes they were all against me." He growled angrily as if my reiteration of what he said was most unwelcome. I flinched slightly in response. Earning as sorrowful sigh from Klaus who shifted us slightly so he could wrap his arms around my middle and draw me against his side. "Even my dear sister who always had time for me thought breaking my curse unwise." He paused. "It's funny. I remember clearly, how before I killed her she wanted her brother back. That he would never do what I was about to. But the thing is, she was referring to the brother who was broken inside. Who knew nothing of the curse placed on him. The laughing stock of the family unknowing that the reason behind everything that ever went wrong was him. As if he had a choice in his heritage. Oh it wasn't obvious and I had a great bond with my siblings. But it seemed an unspoken element to our family dynamic." Klaus growled. I'd been holding my breath since Klaus had begun squeezing me. "It was most betraying that she wasn't willing to accept who I really was, what I stood to gain. To feel complete. No, Elena. They are better off dead. Out of harms way till they can welcome the brother I'll come to be." It occurred to me that Klaus was a tortured man. If he was relaying events as they had truly been then it was no wonder he was so monstrous. It was no excuse by any means. But he seemed more humane right now than ever. All of a sudden he stopped squeezing me. "I'm sorry."
"It's alright." I whispered relaxing in his hold. Wondering how Klaus believed he would see his siblings anew one day I tried to keep myself in perspective. Though he was speaking about these things with such heartache, it was only another side to the story. Despite the fact that how he behaved now had reasoning behind it, it shouldn't change my view on what he did. There is no excuse for how horrible he had been and could be. "When you say dead,you do mean dead don't you?" I finally asked having not understood how they could welcome him in the future.
"As dead as an immortal can be." He responded smugly.
"What does that mean?"
"Have you forgotten I killed Elijah the night I picked you up?" The way he referred to snatching me from my relative safety as picking me up annoyed me to no end.
"So you just stuck daggers in them all?"
"Most of them. My father met with his own fate. For my mother a daggering wouldn't work in quite the same way. Besides. Such a method of stasis would be too kind for her."
"She's dead either way. It's all unkind." I stated. Not understanding why Klaus had to inflict other's with torture. It was obvious I wasn't the first. He was a killing machine with lots and lots of practice. He actually decided on how he would attack others. It was sick.
"I don't know how much my brother told you about my mother. But in binding my werewolf side she killed my first love. Naively I had thought I'd spend the rest of my existence with my original Petrova once she was turned. I've since realised that I loved her on a very small scale being only young myself at the time. Having had a great deal of life experience since. I realise having lost her I can trade up when I came to allow myself too. With you, I do exactly that. For my first love was one of your ancestors." This got my interest and I gave him all my attention. "You look exactly the same as her. For my mother having used her in the binding ritual made her form the model for any future dopplegangers that have come into existence. Personality wise. She was lovely. Doted upon me like a god." He smirked. "But she was quite a, submissive woman. Agreeable to no ends. Unlike yourself. Unlike many other dopplegangers. All that have come before you have been quite entertaining and full of resistance. I may have loved the original, but it seems only her looks kept me sated. I find your personality far more attractive. You render me obsessed." While my blood boiled at how he thought he loved me yet it seemed like I was simply an upgraded reincarnation of someone else. I acted cool.
"How many dopplegangers have you experienced Klaus?"
"Three, briefly, before you." As though doing so without thought my hand suddenly stung from connecting with the side of his face with a resounding smack. Titling his head while rubbing his cheek with a hand he exhaled slowly through his nose as his eyes, trained on me; darkened.
"How dare you." I hissed lowly. "How dare you use the world love to reason your want of me in something more meaningful. It's not love. Just some obsession to regain what you lost. All I do is humour you. I will remain a toy to you. Do not dress it up and try to get under my skin by using words that are above you. You're a low-life. Have you thought that the reason why you want to romance me, is because I can't really reject you? I will be with you forever. You can enjoy my reluctance while knowing I'll still be here tomorrow. Like I'm playing hard-to-get. I don't like you but still hang around. I'm an easy partner for you. You feel safe with me. But ultimately I'll still be just a toy. An imitation of someone who loved you without even knowing the real you. What a monster you are. " I finished. Seething as I stared at him defiantly, my chest heaving as panic set in. I didn't move to get clear of him. Only widened my eyes in terror at what was bound to come. He still held me. No tighter than he had been before my outburst. Something within me didn't trip my flight response. Something so deep in my core wanted to face up to him.
Shifting, Klaus pushed the table away from the lounge before removing his hold from my body. I watched him dumbly as he stood and buttoned the front of his jacket standing right before me.
"Get up." He growled. I shook my head losing my spine slightly and looked down. Focusing on my suddenly clammy hands within my lap. The next moment my right arm was grabbed and yanked so I was on my feet with tears pricking my eyes from the pain. Still I stayed silent. "I said, get up. I know very well that you aren't deaf. Now come along." Klaus seethed. His hot breath flowing over my cheek from his face was enough to make me cringe slightly. I was sure standing with him, my head bowed in fear that I was a pathetic sight. For someone who'd been so bold moments before. The courage that had filled me now seemed so alien.
As he pulled me I managed to keep pace as I was dragged me from the room and wrapped my arm around his of my own intention. This seemed to please him for he slowed as we walked back out of the secluded halls we'd been lead through earlier until back in the alcove looking out at all the people. In that small interval I'd managed to calm myself. While tense and over alert I focused on how well I'd maintained my cool earlier and recycled the skill now. Without a word Klaus unwound my arm from his before he disappeared from my view completely. Standing alone made my awaited repercussion from mouthing off at Klaus all the more wired. Thinking I would attract attention if looking scared in the slightest while standing alone. I stepped over to the side of the alcove so I was out of the way and waited. What was he doing? Why hadn't he reacted yet? As I did, the thought of running crossed my mind. But it was a fleeting fancy that continued by. There was no eagerness to fulfil the desire. I didn't even have to weigh it up with the consequences should I do so. I simply had no inclination to leave Klaus' company. The fact depressed me somewhat so I focussed on viewing everyone else. There was a cluster of couples up dancing on the dance floor, one of which was performing a raunchy looking tango to the slow piano score playing. I began watching them enthusiastically as the man led the woman all around the large dance floor with power and graciousness. They were a great sight and I envied them. I didn't mind dancing, but having lost interest in partying with friends I hadn't done so in quite some time. Let alone with a partner. The thought of it now made me feel self conscious. Abruptly distracted by a soft touch on my upper arm and my name being spoken softly in the deep articulated voice of Elijah I jumped out of my skin. He was standing half behind me, half beside me. When he saw me jump he stepped back cautiously with his arms low but offered in a harmless manner before one hand went to his pocket, while the other hung down his side.
"Elijah! You startled me." I stated and smiled politely, trying to keep my eye contact with him measured. It was hard. Because I didn't want to look at him at all. His own eyes bored into mine as though memorising everything. Slowly stepping around me a little he offered his hand. I felt like he was moving cautiously As though not wanting to spook me. Is it obvious I'm frightened?
"Would you do me the honour of joining me for a dance?" He asked with something less than a confident air. It was unlike him. But I suppose my efforts earlier to keep him at a distance must be having some affect. That or else it was due to his caution.
Dancing with him would only undo those earlier interactions if they were doing their job. My instant decision to decline highlighted why he didn't seem as sure of himself. Elijah wasn't expecting me to turn him down exactly. But he mustn't be sure I would be allowed to dance with him. Yet he still asked. Because? Because he wanted to give me a break from Klaus. Because he'd missed me? Because he wanted to have me close to him. All of the above seemed quite legit and resolutely reasonable. It only made turning him down harder. I focused on my self consciousness to assist me.
"Oh." I said softly in realisation. "I'm really not much of a dancer. You'd be better off asking someone else." I declined softly. Searching my face with a hint of confusion on his Elijah tilted his head slightly. Another element of fear weighed in as he did. Fear that he'd read me and ignore any and all of my efforts to keep him out of harms way.
"I've no intention of asking anyone else." He gestured to his offered hand and though awkward, I managed a smile. His keen eyes on me felt judging and insanely, shame rose within me at denying him.
"Well, then I'm sorry. But I'd rather not." I restated kindly and looked off to the dance floor again. Focus Elena. He frowned and dropped his hand before stepping into me slightly to re-capture my gaze.
"Why ever not?" He murmured gently his voice sounding hurt. Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath I gently shook my head with some frustration at how difficult this was. He was pushing the point. Why couldn't he just leave me be? I was doing this for him. If eyes were the window to the soul. Then I got the feeling Elijah's was bleeding. It had to be the lighting but his brown eyes took on a liquid and pained undertone.
"Elijah, I just don't feel like-." I was cut off by Klaus. Saved by the bell? Rather the ticking time bomb. My breath caught in my chest. How was I to act? How was he going to act. Or react. Heart racing I broke eye contact with Elijah's now scrutinising gaze. Meeting Klaus' seemingly normal eyes before he looked to his brother. Regular seems to be the requirement.
"Ah, Elijah. I was wondering where you were. Would you mind keeping Elena company for a while? Perhaps on the dance floor?" When Klaus' eyes flicked to mine again a less than amused look covered my face for a moment. Despite my most recent outburst I pleaded within my head for him to re-neg that request. He ignored me, not that I should have been surprised. So I had no choice but to look back at Elijah who looked deep in my eyes with new found confidence.
"Nothing would please me more." He answered honestly with a smile and re-offered his hand. Klaus ducked in and kissed my cheek.
"That is alright, isn't it love?" He enquired pointedly, I didn't know if the glint in his eyes was because of what I'd said. Or if it was because he'd overheard Elijah and I talking.
"Of course." I replied smiling at him sweetly before taking Elijah's hand and allowing him to lead me out to the dance floor. This was all I needed. What if Elijah wanted to talk while we danced? Talking was fine and all. It would be the only way to work together to keep Klaus from releasing his werewolf side. But I'd started keeping him at a distance and it was awkward now. I was sure there'd be questions. It was all soo difficult. Necessary for sure. But I didn't want to hurt the man. If he'd just work it out for himself I'd be extremely grateful. He was so perceptive of me in any case. He should just take it as me detaching myself from all and make do.
For about five minutes I looked over Elijah's shoulder at the other couples dancing. In my and no doubt in Klaus' opinion, he was holding me far to closely. But I had little say in the matter. For as we'd taken our place on the floor Elijah had taken my left waist and right hand as though keeping a respectful distance. Yet once we began our swaying he eased me against him so that his arm was wrapped around my lower back. In turn he now supported my right hand close to his left side. I felt like saying something about it. But that would only lead to more conversation. As yet I'd been lucky enough to keep my mouth shut.
"You're dreadfully quite." He murmured in my right ear and goosebumps rose across my skin. I resisted the urge to relax fully in his hold and close my eyes in the comfort his eloquent voice gave.
"Just concentrating on where I put my feet." I managed simply without being blunt. He chuckled.
"I didn't realise our swaying required such concentration that you couldn't talk at the same time."
"I could talk. I was just enjoying the music."
"I see," he paused. It was like with those two words he said: "So which is it? Concentrating on your feet or listening to the music? You'll want to keep your story straight you know." "At risk of disrupting you further. You're looking very beautiful this evening." I was so very glad he couldn't see my blush in that moment. "Is he treating you well?" He suddenly asked darkly.
"Yes. He is." I said softly without accepting his compliment. "Though that might change with you holding me as close as you are." I added, my voice stronger. I wasn't being snide. Simply stating a fact, while hoping to distance myself from him as a result.
"I doubt that. He would have overheard you turning me down, before making your mind up for you. If he didn't want me touching you, he wouldn't have offered me to dance with you at all."
"He didn't make my mind up for me. I'd already decided not to dance. With anyone."
"I'm glad to hear your rejection wasn't intended for me alone then." He offered lightly. I began to feel like within my chest I carried a physically heavy heart at his words. Not making any further conversation I continued to dance while keeping a lookout for Klaus in hopes that he'd come rescue me soon. "It was, wasn't it?" Elijah said suddenly as though piecing something together in his mind. "You just lied to me." Realisation suddenly toned his voice.
"Hmm?" Came my distracted response. I'd just caught sight of Klaus before I was turned out of view of him and the heaviness in my chest lightened in hope.
"You intended to turn me alone, down. Regardless of how I propositioned you." Great. He'd caught on. Now the true awkwardness might begin. I had to tread lightly. I didn't want to hurt him in any case. But I didn't need to hurt him to the extent that he wouldn't be an ally. Classifying him as an ally and not even a friend sickened me. Elijah deserved better. But I couldn't give that to him. Times were tough. Surely he'd understand at some point. "Have I done something Elena?" The emotion in his voice made my throat dry. It was hard to moisten it with a discrete swallow.
"No." I tried to sound assuring.
"Some thing's wrong. Have I not done something?" He was confused and unsure. But adamant that whatever my problem was, was his doing. I'd thought I could handle this. Thought I'd been sure to detach myself as much as possible. But I found myself blinking quickly as tears stung my eyes and I forced my face to relax instead of cringing at how gut-wrenching this was. His next words were whispered and coarse in my ear. "You understand, I had no choice, but to leave you the other night. No matter that I wanted to keep him from hurting you further." I could finally see Klaus again and he was coming towards us. I was such a coward for just wanting to avoid this whole mess. But I didn't want to hurt Elijah. Running from him seemed like such a good idea right now.
"Elijah. It's fine. I wanted you to go." I snapped under my breath a little before catching myself. "You're obsessing over nothing."
"Elena. I know you. More than you'll probably ever be comfortable with. This isn't nothing. Please, don't insult me." Klaus was out of my line of sight again and I was wishing with all I had for him to come interrupt us. "Talk to me Elena." I stayed silent for the ten seconds it took until Elijah's hold on me suddenly relaxed and Klaus' voice asked to cut in. Smiling sweetly at Klaus as relief smothered me he stepped into me and held me hard and commandingly against him. One of his legs was pushed between mine so we were touching as close as possible in all the intimate places. Despite preferring Elijah to Klaus I relaxed fully into my current dance partner. As Klaus and I began to dance Elijah stood mute but watched me expectantly for a number of torturous moments. As though waiting for me to tell him what was wrong. Even as I casually raised my eyebrows while closing my eyes to avoid him, I could feel his brown eyes searing my face.
When next I opened my eyes I calmly looked around to find him dancing with a blonde woman dressed in black. The satisfaction I felt that he held her a respectful distance from his body nearly made me smile. But, realising his eyes were still on me I was sure to keep it from gracing my face.
"Alright everyone. Let's begin." Klaus called out, for his voice at the side of my head was too loud to be for my ears alone. But it's volume was nothing compared to the piercing scream that followed. Spinning around in Klaus' arms he gripped me tightly under my breasts. "Be sure to stay close Elena." He growled in warning while I watched in horror as multiple vampires revealed themselves among the humans on the dance floor. Humans began running from the floor to weave between tables as they tried for the exit. Those who'd still been seated at tables and seen the commotion on the dance floor were ahead of them. They were also the first to find their way blocked. I watched them milling about where they should have been able to exit, hysterically bumping into each other as they frantically scrambled around.
"What?" I asked in shock as I watched two vampires nearby, blocking a young woman at every turn she made. Toying with her their features were savage. Soon they stopped playing to drink from her. A middle aged man nearby caught my attention next as I was lightly sprayed with blood. The spray was the result of a female vampire's clawed hand scratching across his neck. Shuddering and gasping in horror I struggled against Klaus. Wanting to understand what was going on, but also eager to fulfil my need to run and hide from the scene. He held me fast against him and I was forced to watch on with revulsion and shock as the vampires played with the humans before feasting on them. "Stop!" I tried to scream, but it only came out as a disheartened whisper. How the vampires could do this in a public place was beyond me. It would be a massacre and would surely reveal the existence of them. Not that I cared of their exposure in this moment.
"Take it all in. This will be your only practice run love." Klaus growled again. Of course. He'd planned this. I didn't understand why and it only briefly registered that this would happen again. Looking around wide eyed at how many humans lay on the floor presumably dead I only then caught sight of Elijah. Fangs out and eyes darkened as he beheaded a man with what seemed like just a slap. He was fierce and lacking any of his usual composure. Everyone was so animalistic and in revulsion I covered my mouth with my hand and leaned back slightly into Klaus. As the killings continued I could only watch Elijah as he snapped necks and fed. Or held those who struggled so other vampires could attack and feed from the humans still kicking.
"Klaus." I whispered. "Stop this. Please. If this is because of what I said earlier. I've learnt my lesson. I won't speak to you like that again. Just stop this!"
"I'm just enlightening you love. This will happen at my reveal. It's kind of like a celebratory activity. I couldn't very well expose you to it without giving you practice. You might embarrass me. But you're handling it well. This is what we are. What you will become. Nature at it's finest. We're sleek and perfect, us vampires." Weeping silently as humans were continuously tortured then feasted on I could only watch. After seeing Elijah draw his fangs down a brunette's body to release blood for three other vampires who began lapping greedily at her body I had to shut my eyes, turn around and bury my head at Klaus' collar bone. Trying to block out the screaming and noises of bones cracking and flesh ripping, I pushed the flap in front of my ear holes against the openings with my index fingers. Klaus held me firmly, almost as if cradling me against his chest. His Shh didn't even register to me in this instant that he was comforting me.
"This is cruel! You're killing people!." I called loudly.
"No. We're sacrificing them. In much the same way bulls are done by matadors. Of course the truth in that statement depends. It's been said to come from bull worship and sacrifice. However, it's origins in Rome seems to make more sense. Since Romans partook in many a human-versus-animal events. A warm up for their gladiators." Klaus announced within my head enthusiastically.
"You're not killing animals. You're killing humans!"
"Mere details. Gladiator fights were much more entertaining, than those with animals."
"But you're killing your own kind. You have a human body. It's hypocrisy."
"There are lows in any kind. We are superhuman Elena. Not everyone deserves the honour. In a way we're culling the rubbish and bettering the candidates for our kind. Oh lighten up! Don't make me explain everything. This isn't a history lesson. Groups of vampires have enjoyed this in celebrations for quite some time. Just accept, and if you can, enjoy it. I won't let you hide like this at my reveal. So take a good look and listen. Acclimatise yourself to the sight, sounds and smell of this much blood shed."
"I can't." My internal whine sounded as wobbly as it would if I'd used my vocal chords to convey the two words during a teary moment.
"You can." He said with finality and turned me to face away from him again. I kept my fingers in my ears and looked down at my shoes but when Klaus pulled my forearms down by my sides I couldn't escape the noise. Slowly I raised my head to find a more subdued scene of killing now that the live humans were in less of a frenzy and some frozen and silent in fear. I needed to handle this sort of scene for his Reveal after all. Coldly I watched on with tears leaking from my eyes. All I could think about was the people who wouldn't know what had happened to their friends and loved ones. It was all so unnecessary. Killing for the sake of it. The mass murder taking place numbed me like nothing else ever had. One thing I tried to skim my eyes over in avoidance was Elijah as he partook in the vampire frivolities. Yet I kept finding him among the participants both predator and prey.
