CHAP 42:
I stayed numb and on autopilot, yet acting as Klaus would want, for the remainder of our time at the Villa. Watched him shaking hands with the owner as other's got to work cleaning up the place of blood and bodies. The number of vampires decreased gradually as I was left to myself at a table for a short time while Klaus saw to whatever it was he was doing. During that time Elijah placed his blood stained jacket over my shoulders. I accepted it, despite how it smelled disgusting and yet comforting at the same time. Was aware of him pausing once the material hung from me, before he gently placed his hands on my shoulders for what felt like minutes. In reality it was only seconds. Long enough for him to wait for any acknowledgement, and short enough to not seem awkward. Even once he'd moved around to take his seat I didn't thank him or really look at him. Instead choosing to watch Klaus over his shoulder with a passably doting look on my face for appearances while really my focus just lingered in my still mind. Soon I was on Klaus' arm as we walked to the car. Leaning against him I hoped the evening was over and I could crawl into bed as soon as I cleaned myself up. Having given Elijah his jacket back without a word of thanks the night air was icy and I reached my hand into the front of Klaus' jacket to feel the warmth of his body better. Once shut in the car the urge to check for any blood on my face had me folding down the sun visor above me to find the little mirror I was after. Frowning I rubbed at the specks of blood on my face while Klaus got into the car, followed by Elijah and Blue in the back seat. The men talked amongst themselves during the trip home while I looked out the window. Cocooned in the warm car I began to feel more comfortable and less numb about all the death that had taken place. My eyes focused and I watched with interest at all we passed in the limited light of night. Frowning at the sun visor I'd neglected to fold up again I found Elijah to be sitting right behind me and staring at the mirror. At me.
One moment, then another passed as I blinked idly before folding the visor up and shifting in my seat so I was watching Klaus as he drove for the remainder of the journey. It wasn't a thought process per se. But now that I didn't have such a moral example of a vampire in Elijah, Klaus didn't seem all bad. The idea of living with him forever suddenly seemed easier. I mean, how many people were in loveless marriages who could still function happily for their children's sake? Surely I could tolerate multiple lifespans with Klaus. Maybe things would improve over time. Especially if he wanted to buy into the illusion he had of love. At least I wouldn't be neglected.
Once home Klaus and I parted from the others to our bedroom. It seemed Elijah and Blue were staying, for the moment. The evident discussions with Elijah, regarding anything he might have come up with while for my predicament while away could wait for another day. We would talk business. I would thank him for checking on Jenna and Jeremy, and we would work together in any form of action decided upon. Anything else and I simply wasn't interested. As soon as I was back in Klaus' and my room I sat on the bed and removed my shoes. Meanwhile Klaus poured two glasses of scotch. The one he offered me had less liquid in and though I disliked the drink I took it and sipped. In a way it was nice he'd only given me what I could handle swallowing.
"So where do you want me?" I asked, matter-of-factly and raised my eyes to his face. He gestured wordlessly with his hands and a tilt of his head that he didn't know what I was referring to. "Sex. We have it most nights. Assuming tonight is no different, I was asking for direction so it can be over and done with." I continued boredly.
"Tonight is different. We'll have sex in the morning." I nodded, feeling somewhat happy about it.
"Thank you. In that case I'm going to shower." Standing from the bed I brought the glass to my lips and threw my head back. Gulping down the liquid and making a face as I put the glass on the bed. Then set about finding some clothes to change into after.
"How about a bath instead and I'll join you?" I heard Klaus suggest behind me as I picked out some clothes. Not even turning around I shrugged my shoulders.
"Sure." I thought my dismissive tone would get me in trouble. But all Klaus said as he left was that he'd go run the bath.
A short time later he and I were lying back in the hot water. Our clothes, ruined by blood in a heap on the floor. I'd never felt so at ease wrapped up in his arms of my own accord. Any other time I'd been too tired to resist or was under the control of something other than my own consciousness. Even as Klaus punctured holes in the side of my neck and began licking and kissing the bite I sighed contently. Klaus wasn't so bad. He didn't always hurt me, and that was the key to my comfort within our intimacy.
"You're very quiet. Even your mind. Is everything alright?" Klaus asked eventually.
"Yeah. Fine." We were both silent again for a bit.
"Would it help any if I told you that every one of those people tonight, were living on the streets prior to being picked up, bathed and dressed? Instead of a slow starvation towards death out in the elements. By using them. I've eased their suffering."
"Really? You picked them up off the streets?" I repeated in question while rubbing my wet index finger at a blood stain on the top of his wrist till it was gone.
"Yes." We lay in silence again. I didn't muse over the information just honed in on how my gut didn't care who or why. Only that a large number of people had been killed before me. For fun no less. "So? Does it help?"
"Not really." My dead-panned voice replied
"Will anything?"
"I doubt it."
"Well, you did very well this evening. Even if you get teary at that part of my Reveal it will be acceptable. Some find it stirringly beautiful."
"Good to know." Klaus chuckled lowly in his throat for longer than usual. "What's so funny?" My voice not sounding at all interested.
"You." He murmured and kissed the side of my neck again.
"Right." I scoffed scornfully.
"You don't find it funny how you were throwing our intimate evening and my honesty in my face not too long ago and now you're happily sharing a bath with me?"
"I don't get a choice."
"Not always. But that's never stopped you from being resentful toward me before." I leaned forward and grabbed the bar of soap to begin slowly washing my legs.
"Maybe I've just decided to take charge of my imprisonment." I offered after washing half way down one leg. "Speaking of which. Have I served my punishment for how I behaved earlier yet, or is that still outstanding?"
"You haven't served it. Because I've chosen to forgive you for it." I paused between switching legs. Rotating my waist slightly I looked at Klaus' face curiously.
"Really? I could have sworn the practice session was a form of punishment. You were really angry right before."
"I was angry. Very. What you said hurt Elena. As I keep trying to tell you. I'm not the monster you think I am." Looking away from him I turned back to wash my other leg. "But it's occurred to me. That though you think I'm a monster. I have my good points as well." One of his hands cupped my right breast and slipped his fingers around the swell of moist flesh. I didn't even tense up at his touch.
"I'm glad you think so."
"I know so. Because it's what you think." Wordlessly I finished washing my leg then washed both feet. Massaging them after their evening in heels. "What? Not going to deny it?"
"No." I breathed with sad finality. Klaus chuckled and sat up behind me as his arms wound around me. A hand of his rose and directed my face to his over my right shoulder and his lips claimed mine gently. Turning my upper body more I returned his wordless approval. When our kiss was broken he was smiling. It was nothing like I'd ever seen. His eyes lit up with innocence of all things! My jaw slackened at this personal world first. Right in this fleeting second I saw Klaus. The really, real Klaus.
"What was that? I had trouble hearing."
"No."
"No?"
"You're not all bad." He pecked my lips then took the soap from me and washed my back. For a lying bastard. Though I was embracing this new Klaus, I felt in control of myself.
At any point he was lying to me. He lied about the Villa being a restaurant for a date. He'd lied that there wouldn't be any other humans at his Reveal. Every time he seemed to plead with me to accept his affections was more than likely also a lie. Then there was the possibility that he had his family in a temporary state of death. Wether that was true or false who could know? I had to keep it in mind for Elijah though. Klaus was a tangled web of fallacies, and I was sick of trying to decipher it all. I'd known I could never trust him. Hell the only person who I did trust was Elijah. But I was now feeling an overwhelming sense of ease with Klaus. I would manage. Would be okay with him forever. I would try my best to dodge and weave through every aspect of him. All the while allowing him to woo me. Meanwhile I'd do my own seducing. I would be obedient and accepting of him. No longer would I allow myself to stand back and judge. I was going to embrace who he is and trust in myself. Making the best of my situation would serve me very well in the time to come. No doubt as Klaus would become impatient and angry with not releasing his werewolf side I would bear his frustration. But I could handle it. I had to.
After a nice end to a horrid evening the night before, I woke early as our room was just lightening. It was a real let down to think my day would be wasted by going out with Klaus. Having woken late most days I'd begun to feel as though time was slipping away. But then with each day threatening the potential for my contraceptive implant to be discovered, the time I woke mightn't be the cause. Still, after Klaus and my chore. It was only six o'clock when I was taking a quick shower before breakfast.
Considering how I'd felt the night before I was in good spirits. Klaus had reneged on his plans for us today. Of course it had come about as though my feelings were taken into account. That because I didn't really feel like going shopping for a dress and the accompanying activities he'd mentioned the previous day, Klaus didn't want to make me. I didn't really care for the delusion. But I was most appreciative of the result. Instead I would be brought a range of dresses to chose from before the following evening, which I would match with some accessories again. When I looked out the window there wasn't a cloud in the sky and I hoped the day would continue so. I'd keep to myself and maybe find a spot outside away from everyone else. But first up was breakfast.
It was to be my first appearance for the day. Klaus had gone ahead to start making something for me. The hospitable gentleman that he is. I was expected to eat with him and whoever else felt like dining this morning. Unfortunately as a result, when I made my entrance and sat down between Klaus and Blue I had to endure the presence of Sarah, Elijah and Jack in addition. It made the table rather crowded. Not that it mattered, since Klaus pulled my chair closer to him once I'd sat in any case. My personal space was his space and while he was around I supposed I shouldn't really care who else was. He was the only one interested in crowding me. They all talked amongst themselves while I ate my fried eggs and bacon with toast and some sort of cucumber salad on the side. It was uncomfortable to be the only one eating. I used my cutlery gently so as not to clink or scrape it against my plate. My effort slowed me down though. Only dragging out my awkward dining experience. More than once my casual perusal of those at the table resulted in Elijah and my eyes meeting. He was unreadable this morning and part of what seemed quite an interesting topic between the vampires. It sounded like they were discussing locations. Times were mentioned and numbers. It really wasn't any of my business so I stayed silent. After I'd finished eating and was enjoying my coffee Klaus kissed my cheek before standing with Sarah and Blue.
"We're off to round up some humans for tomorrow night. We'll be back in a while. Then the preparations can begin. Need to get this place ship shape for all our guests." He informed proudly. "I wasn't going to go. But I'd like to make sure we get some stand-out individuals for entertainment." His eyes flashed with anticipation. I smiled up at him as though agreeing with his sentiments completely.
"Don't have too much fun without me." He considered me a moment.
"Compared to when you and I will hunt together my love, this will be incredibly boring." He replied in earnest as he brushed his thumb on my cheek. I was surprised at his tenderness as opposed to his dominant sexually influenced behaviour. He was in the presence of his familiars after all. Sarah groaned and stalked out.
"Don't make me loose my appetite! Let's get going already!" She called. It seemed Elijah was staying behind.
As soon as they'd departed Jack stood and excused himself. Leaving Elijah and I alone. I stood with my cutlery and crockery and took them to the sink. After I'd rinsed them all I nervously looked to Elijah. He was staring at me as though assessing. His eyes were slightly narrowed and if I couldn't see all that was going on behind his eyes he'd have seemed lost in thought. Managing to maintain eye contact I wondered what he was thinking. Was he picking apart Klaus and my most recent interaction? Seeming to realise my gaze was on him he brought his right index finger to his lips, motioning me to remain silent. I nodded in acknowledgement and waited as the minutes ticked by. Finally he announced that we were alone, apart from a couple of what he referred to as low-ranking vampires. I would have thought even the low-ranking ones would pose a threat if they heard any sensitive information. But I trusted Elijah.
"What about Greta and Jonas?"
"They went with Klaus. To help with the harvest." His use of the word harvest further decreased my dislike of the hierarchy vampires had over humans. We were both silent before I felt the need to steer our conversation in a productive direction.
"Thank you for checking on Jenna and Jeremy." I watched as anticipation tripped something within me when Elijah stood from his chair. "I really appreciate knowing they're okay."
"It was my pleasure." His deep voice resonated deep within me as his gaze met mine while he pushed his chair beneath the table. I forced a grim smile upon my face. Elijah, with his hands on the back of the chair leaned forward into it slightly as we looked at each other. I found myself leaning my hip against the bench and crossing my arms loosely in front of me.
"Have you any other news? Or is the subject a little too delicate to be spoken aloud?"
"If I had anything of use to report. I would do so. As it happens, I do not." Frowning I dropped my shoulders at this. I hadn't been incredibly hopeful for a solution in such a short amount of time. But my disappointment was confronting. Perhaps subconsciously I'd been holding onto the possibility to keep me going. He shifted his weight and began casually striding over.
"So I'm still stuck." I looked to the floor. Hoping that by not watching him approach I wouldn't feel so tense about him approaching.
"We are, I'm afraid. At least for the time being." I looked up at him and where he'd come to a stop. He'd said it nonchalantly. The we. He hadn't accentuated the word to make a point. But his tone told that our situation was all-inclusive.
"You're not. You're free to go." Disappointment smothered his features so I was quick to continue in a diplomatic and unattached tone. "If luck was on our side, you'd be free to go right now. As long as Klaus never finds out the reason behind my baron uterus all I'd need you for, is to get me replacements every once in a while."
"Then I am glad luck isn't on our side. It may seem selfish, but I wouldn't want to breeze in and out of your life according to such a schedule." So much for directing this conversation into productive territory alone.
"Did I not use the word need? Anything other than keeping Klaus from breaking his curse is unnecessary." I stated flippantly.
"Ouch." He stepped forward slightly and my eyes went immediately to his black dress shoes. I couldn't help myself but glare at them. Perhaps Elijah could see my glare and took it as a challenge for they stepped forward again and I snapped my head up to look at his face. "Though there is truth to your words. I'm glad I know you better than to accept the brave facade you're presenting. Else I might have misunderstood your dismissal of me. Since I know you're focussed on keeping Klaus bound, I don't suppose I need remind you that such a lucky scenario as you mentioned. Is incredibly unlikely to withstand for long. Nor do I need to remind you that stopping Klaus is only half the difficulty in our current situation. " Narrowing my eyes to scrutinise where he went next I waited. "Even if we were lucky, there would still be a price. One you would pay heavily for. Even if any role I might assume falls short. I am not willing to allow any self inflicted horrors you charge yourself with to be endured by your lonesome. You will need me for more than maintenance of your infertility." I really wished he wasn't so brazen. It did nothing to settle my quickened heart beat as his proximity to me had increased. As he took another step I tried my best to casually push off the bench and step around him.
"Can we keep the topic productive please? Not on intentions and wishes. Or anything else that can change. Klaus is real."
"And I'm not?"
"Elijah." I shot back at him exasperatedly. "You know what I mean."
"Perhaps you could explain it to me so there's no confusion." He offered curtly.
"Wh-?" I took a deep breath. "I'm not talking about anything other than what you might have in the works against Klaus. I don't care if it seems like nothing at the moment. Or if it's only a slight possibility. Let's just talk it out."
"I have nothing Elena. All avenues I've looked into have been unproductive. Do you not think if I had anything of that manner to say I would have?"
"I wasn't suggesting you were keeping something from me," I replied gently before we descended into silence.
"Since there's nothing further to discuss regarding Klaus. I think you and I should have a little chat. So we're on the same page." Elijah suggested.
"What kind of chat?" I asked casually while rubbing the back of my neck with my right hand.
"Well, you could tell me what I've done wrong."
"I already told you, you've done nothing wrong." Turning away from him I went and stood in the doorway of the kitchen area. I thought my show of casual look-out behaviour to be perfectly acceptable for a moment or two.
"Your avoidance says the opposite." Looking back at him I raised my eyebrows.
"Avoidance? I'm talking with you aren't I? If I was avoiding you I'd probably be keeping to myself. Perhaps even hiding away in my room."
"Your room?"
"Well, it's Klaus' and mine, obviously." I looked back out through the doorway into the main hall.
"But you think of it as your own." Elijah continued slowly behind me.
"Well I do sleep there." I answered simply. Like my reasoning was justified. When Elijah remained silent I eventually looked back at him, surprised when he hadn't spoken. Only when I saw his ashen face did I realise what my last words had unintentionally brought our conversation to. It was the proverbial elephant in the room. When Elijah had asked if Klaus had been treating me well the previous night, it was an all-encompassing query to an answer he had no influence on. He'd been vague but direct. The knowledge of what went on in the room I shared with Klaus hung precariously in the air between us. At least the awkwardness wasn't my doing alone for a moment. I looked back out into the main hall. "Did Jonas tell you how he nearly solved the Klaus problem yesterday?"
"No. How so?" Distraction successfully executed.
"Was performing some spell Klaus asked him to when it didn't work as expected. Jonas told me I'd only feel drained of energy. But it seemed to suck the life out of me. According to Klaus Jonas nearly killed me. Not on purpose of course. Jonas didn't expect the spell to do what it did. He didn't even realise until Klaus hurt me to get Jonas' attention."
"Did you suffer?"
"Oh, no. I think I was unconscious. Then came-to from the pain. Klaus healed me straight away. It was all over pretty quickly. Poor Jonas got a beating though. Klaus was, -."
"Malicious?"
"Yes." I replied solemnly. "I tried to stop him. I don't know if I helped Jonas any. But he wasn't left beaten to a pulp. So that was something." Taking a pause I connected my now sad gaze with Elijah's. "He was so scared Elijah. Completely shocked by what happened. I didn't get to hang around to make sure he was alright."
"Having spoken to him since that incident. I can report that he is well." He began moving slowly towards me again.
"Oh good. Though I don't know whether we can count of his help with anything. Klaus threatened him with losing Greta for what happened. He won't want to risk it."
"We can count on him. He is with us."
"Has he said that?"
"That is our standing agreement." Elijah announced cordially.
"Since?" He sighed.
"Since before I was sent away." I opened my mouth to point out that things had changed. "Don't suggest that his allegiance may now be else where. I have discussed this in depth with Jonas. No matter the conditions, he is faithful to us."
"Can you trust that?"
"We have to." Elijah stopped a metre from me, his dark sombre eyes betraying the resolute confidence in his voice. He found comfort in agreements.
"I can't. Not knowing what I do. Jonas is at such a loss with Greta She's not like she used to be. But she's his daughter. He's not going to give up on her. I don't support your trusting Jonas. Not completely."
"Do you trust me?"
"Yes. Of course I do." I replied instantaneously. Surveying me Elijah stepped into my personal space and I immediately took two steps back. Now I was standing in the main hall, while he stood in the doorway to the kitchen.
"You say that. But I have my doubts and they're building. Nevertheless I assure you we can trust Jonas." Confused and slightly insulted I stared at him. My mouth gaped slightly as I tried to figure out how I should handle him. I wanted him to know that I fully trusted him. But not in a way that could be interpreted as an emotional trust. I couldn't let him see what he'd managed to release during our time together. That wasn't the type of trust I wanted to reassure to him.
"I trust you. There's no one else I can trust. Everyone's got an agenda. Despite their fronts they're all after something. At least yours shouldn't influence your decisions too much."
"What do you mean by that?" I shifted my weight awkwardly while searching for the words I needed.
"Well. You and I have a history. One which you instigated. I know what you want. Reality won't allow it. There's no possible outcome that would make you not act in my best interest." My voice had become clinical.
"A history? That would imply our relationship is in the past." I held my breath. "I wasn't aware it had concluded and been catalogued for future reference." Elijah said with some irritation as his features hardened, but not in anger. I watched cautiously as his face masked how he truly felt. My mouth dry I couldn't or wouldn't confirm his musings. All I had to say was something along the lines of: What we have can't continue. I'm with Klaus. But it wasn't coming out. We stared at each other. "Well? Is that how you see us?"
"I-." He'd stepped toward me again and I casually kept myself clear of him now that we were in the main hall. When he continued moving toward me I lost my train of thought and focused only on keeping him at least an arms length from me. After this continued halfway across the hall I cried out for him to stop.
"How do you see us Elena?" He asked firmly while still striding toward me as I retreated backwards.
"A-. Allies." I broke off when tears threatened but stood tall.
"And?" He prodded while I found myself swimming in his dark orbs now that he had completely invaded my personal space again and stayed right with me as I moved.
"What do you mean and?" I snapped.
"Is allies all we are? Or more." He demanded with a lower voice.
"I-." His eyes were on me and he was so close that it was hard to keep myself in a distanced frame of mind. His scent filled my nostrils and I wanted to just hug him. Hold him in some way that would let me bury my face in his clothes. I knew such promixity to him was a sanctuary. It had been last night after he opened my door. The temptation now was just cruel. It was conflicting too. Because I wasn't sure how I saw Elijah now, having seen him in action the previous night. Elijah looked back at me with hard features as I gaped soundlessly.
"Tell me." He ordered with breathy impatience. Before his mask cracked slightly in desperation while he continued with no inflection whatsoever in his tone. "Or I will assume the worst." Well that helps. Dropping my eyes and stepping side ways as opposed to backwards I increased the space between Elijah and I before stopping and standing my ground. I would let him assume. My mouth would stay shut. My voice hoarse. For I would let him be his own undoing. I was such a coward. Elijah deserved so much better and I would never be proud of how I'd come to handle this. But he was intuitive. He'd seemed to have already worked it out by how demanding he was being. Stepping into me again and cupping my shoulders with his hands Elijah searched my face. I ignored the warmth his hands gave, clenched my jaw to keep the heartache within me submerged. All while the images of him using his hands to kill swam in my mind. For minutes we stood. I shielding myself from him as he waited desperate for whatever he was hoping to find. Finally it seemed realisation hit him for his features softened. What seemed like the finality of him knowing how I viewed us calmed me, and I breathed deeply. That breath hitched in my chest though when his hands gripped me momentarily harder and Elijah took a shaky breath filled with tension. I frowned unsure if something might be wrong. "Don't you dare," he growled angrily. "Don't shut me out. I won't let you. We are not done Elena. I'm not about to give up on you." His eyes flickered back and forth between my own.
As though a physical wall came down at that very second I shielded my eyes and found myself oblivious to the need in his voice. I found myself unsure of him in such an angered state. But he'd never been anything but kind to me so I knew there was no reason to be afraid.
"I won't ever leave you Elena. You're stuck with me. So don't fight what you feel. Let yourself have some kind of peace in what your life might become. Let me back in. You need me."
"I do," I acknowledged. "I need you to help me in any way you can. In any means that will stop Klaus removing his curse. This is bigger than you and me. You know that." I told him logically.
"Of course I know that. But this is unnecessary. Don't torture yourself."
"If you've nothing else to say regarding Klaus, please let go of me." I asked politely.
"Why? So you can run from me?"
"If I have to."
"You won't get far."
"Are you threatening me?" Elijah suddenly looked outraged while I looked blandly back at him.
"Making a promise." He murmured gently and his features softened. I ignored the pang in my chest.
"Let go of me. I don't get a lot of free time. I would like to take advantage of it."
"Will you allow me to accompany you?" He suddenly became polite and eloquent as he removed his hands from my shoulders. I blinked once and then twice before answering. Would he even obey my wishes? He'd said I wouldn't get far if I decided to run from him. Did he intend on sticking close to me? I didn't really have any means of stopping him. Let's test the water.
"No."
"Am I that much of a nuisance to you, that I can't keep you company?"
"Elijah. Klaus smothers me. While he's not around I'd like to be as alone as possible. Give me that, please." I asked forcefully.
"I'm sorry Elena. I can't." Exhaling in a huff I stepped around him to stalk across the main hall to the hallway that would take me back to my room.
"You can. And you will." I called behind me seriously. Right before I was about to enter the corridor I looked back to be sure he was keeping away, eyes widening I found him him striding after me a few metres behind. "Stay away Elijah!" I cried in exasperation.
He followed me all the way to the door of my room. After opening it and stepping in through the frame I turned to face him.
"You know you can't come in here."
"I do," he confirmed. With that I shut the door on him and ran my fingers through my hair as I turned on the spot. Why did he have to be so stubborn? Elijah was going to get himself killed if he kept hounding me. Klaus would surely disagree to him hanging around me and put a stop to it sooner than he'd suggested. After waiting it out in my room for a while I found the book I'd lazily started reading and sat on the bed. While it provided a slight distraction I hated the feeling I was a caged animal. I would have to go out sometime. Wether for a bathroom break or for food. I didn't know how long Klaus was going to be. Nor did I want to waste my time cooped up in a room. I wanted to be outside. But Elijah had seemed resolute in his decision not to leave me alone. Eventually I went to the door and carefully turned the handle and opened it enough to see out. Not spotting Elijah I opened the door wider and glanced both ways. He was no where in sight. Maybe he didn't intend to stalk me after all I thought hopefully. I had half expected him to be stationed outside the door. Had further anticipated my requiring the toilet and him to stand expectantly outside while I went. Book in hand I left the room and headed down the hall towards the main room. Glancing back as I did every now and again to see if he was following me. The main hall was quietly busy when I peaked in. A few vampires were curtaining the walls with what looked like red velvet. A section that was already up, hung stunningly down a side wall. I hadn't even considered that Klaus might want to make the place look nicer for his Reveal. The vampires were talking amongst themselves but another set of voices were growing louder. Half hiding in the hall while peaking into the main hall I saw Elijah and another presumably vampire enter with what must be another section of velvet draping. Submerging myself into the hall a little more I kept an ear and eye on Elijah as he helped hang the next section against the wall. It was a relatively quick process. The drapes hung on some vertical rod which was somewhat flexible. With a vampire each side they would jump up and hook the rod somewhere high above. While I was happy that Elijah was distracted I knew it wouldn't hold him for long. Still I was certainly appreciative of the distraction from me.Slightly smug I darted across the hall and out the back of the building once the group had left out the front again. Smiling broadly to myself I bolted down into the garden as far as I dared. Well past the table I'd sat at until I could hear water running somewhere. Hoping that it's sound would help cover any of my own sounds I continued on until a beautiful water feature came into view.
It was composed of three central sculptures. Two of them were men while the third a woman who was holding a child. While one of the men had his arms around her, and looked down at the child in her arms. The other man was wearing what seemed like religious clothing and he had one hand holding what might be a bible against his torso. His other hand was cupped skywards above the child and a trickling of water overflowed from it to fall onto the child's head. All three adult sculptures stood ankle deep in the fifteen metre diameter pool of water. Further out from the centre a handful of other sculptures looked on at the christening scene going on. These too were ankle deep in the water. Walking close and looking at each one I found them all to leak streams of water from their eyes. Glancing back to what I presumed were the child parents, I noted they had streams of water coming from their eyes as well. No body was upset though. The joyous expressions on their faces meant their tears couldn't be misinterpreted. Perhaps they were meant to be the extended family of the child and parents. Though not particularly religious myself I could still appreciate the detailed carving of all the sculptures, and how the water was a key element in the scene. It certainly had more going for it than the mass produced water features one saw most of the time.
After my visual appreciation of the water feature I settled on the grass in the sun and began reading. As time passed and a good many pages were turned I'd adjusted my position occasionally until feeling most comfortable lying on my stomach. My head and shoulders propped up due to my elbows and forearms against the ground and the book before me. Finally feeling relaxed I was able to read and let myself become aware of the words within alone. It was so fantastic to relax! While the little area I'd come to was a little bit enclosed by hedges and thickly branched plants with varying blooms I felt I had some privacy instead of being trapped like inside. The limitless sky above freed me like nothing else. Reading quite a way into the book as I played with my hair took me far away from what my existence had become. My peripheral vision startled me to catch the slight movement of Elijah. He was standing about ten metres away, as still as the statues in the pool of water. Only the slight flapping of his jacket had caught my attention. Guarding myself I pursed my lips together as though in annoyance.
"How long have you been standing there?"
"A while."
"How long a while?"
"If you'd like the specifics, it's been about an hour." He began walking towards me as though my speaking to him was enough invitation for him to join me.
"You can stay over there thank you." I said firmly while looking back at the page before me. As I stared at it I tracked his movement. It seemed he was intent on ignoring me. "That was a request you're ignoring you know."
"I do know." I sighed.
"Don't they need your help inside?" I volunteered.
"No."
"Well, can you go do something else?"
"No." He was two metres away now and I moved to get up off the grass. "I don't mean to disturb you Elena." He said while I pushed myself up on my arms. I was about to tell him that's what he was doing when there was pressure on my back and he was squatted right next to me. "Continue what you were doing." I could see both his shoes, so Elijah's hand must be what was applying downward pressure on my back.
"Get off me." I tried to push up against his hand but he maintained a firm pressure even as he lowered himself closer to the ground and crossed his legs by my side. "Elijah. I'm serious. Get off."
"Just continue what you were doing. All I want is to sit here harmlessly."
"What you want and what you are are two different things," I grumbled still struggling.
"I am harmless."
"No you're not. You're annoying." Choosing to move an elbow so I could force it into him somehow left me flat on the grass as Elijah chose that moment to push down a little harder. Flat on my front I craned my neck backwards to push my head to face the side he was sitting on and glared. He raised his eyebrows at me pointedly.
"I'm not that either." The book, now in front of him from my movements caught his eye and he lifted it, opened it to the page I was on then handed it to me.
"Then you're full of yourself." I spat and took hold of the book.
"Will you just let me sit here without your attacks?"
"No. Because you won't let me go."
"Of course not. You keep trying to distance yourself from me. If this is what I have to do to be near you then so be it."
"I'll call Klaus." I warned. He cocked his head as he looked down at my up turned face.
"Would you? Would you really?"
"If I have to." I said simply. "I've had long distance conversations with him in my head before. I wouldn't even need to scream."
"He won't hear you." From anyone else his latest words might have scared me, depending on the situation. But despite Elijah holding me down, essentially restraining me I would never fear him.
"How would you know? We don't know how strong his abilities are."
"I do."
"You said you didn't."
"Things have changed. I've become informed."
"Then why haven't you told me?" I asked in frustration.
"It hadn't come up." He didn't shrug his shoulders, but his tone of voice would have matched such a gesture.
"Then you should have brought it up."
"How can I when your behaviour distracts me so?"
"My behaviour is nothing. Look, we talked earlier about anything Klaus-related. You didn't bring this up then." We stared at each other a moment. I half glaring up at him, Elijah with his soft brown eyes surveying mine.
"Klaus' mind tricks only work when you're within one hundred metres of his person." I narrowed my eyes while considering this. I had no evidence to disprove him. Trying to judge how far we were from the building I approximated us to be just inside Klaus' range, if he was inside. It wasn't that I wanted to call Klaus. I just didn't want to talk with Elijah. Klaus was my only threat. Even if it had no weight behind it.
"We're within one hundred metres of the warehouse."
"But Klaus has not yet returned." Opening my mouth slightly to respond Elijah cut me off. "You can take that as a bluff or the truth. But I'm the only one at risk if you chose to call out to Klaus in your mind and he is in range. However. I'm hardly going to force you into spending time with me, if Klaus is around to stop me from doing so." Biting down on my lip I let his reasoning sink in. Before without another word I turned my head to look down at the book and continue reading. Or pretending to. Whichever happened to occur first. I was back to ignoring. It wasn't like he would let me go. Not until Klaus got back in any case. I would have to wait him out. There were worse things in the world than Elijah sitting next to me. Of course he would keep prodding at me, but I could dodge.
