I take the blame
and child is my name

And I believe your words
whatever you might say

This is my hand
shaking and raised

Reaching out for something more
than mere play

Immortal junkies
dressed up as angels

Kemopetrol – Child Is My Name

Chapter 12

Fatherly men

"Where are we going?" I asked when Klaus lifted me on top of his horse.

"To the village," he replied and mounted, he was sitting behind me.

"But I have to tell papa, he will be worried…"

"I left him a word that you are with me, he won't worry."

"Oh…"

I was curious, but also nervous, after the dinner party I wasn't sure at all how to interact with humans, I was worried that I would fail again.

"What are we doing in the village?" I asked when we passed the gatehouse.

"We shall have some fun," Klaus replied and ruffled my hair. "And I will teach you few useful things."

I bit my lip and leaned my back on his chest.

"But…I failed the last time, what if…"

"No need to worry, this time will be different," he assured. "And besides, you did not fail; you simply were unprepared for dealing with humans."

"I was stupid," I muttered. "Those girls…"

"Yes, I know, Kol told me. But no need to worry, my little monster, we shall take care of that problem soon enough."

"What…what do you mean?"

"Oh, let's just say that those girls certainly chose a wrong target."

I was confused; I couldn't understand what he meant. After pondering about it for a moment, I gave up and enjoyed feeling the wind on my face. The horse's mane felt soft under my fingers, I really loved riding and I said it out loud.

"Have Elijah given you your own horse?" Klaus asked.

I shook my head.

"No, papa promised to give me a pony."

"That sounds like Elijah," Klaus huffed and paused. "So, are you planning to compel that pony?" he added innocently.

I snorted and shoved my elbow into his ribs, but that only made him laugh.

"Someone is feisty," he chuckled. "I like that, little girl, a vampire should have spirit."

"Do you think I am a good vampire?" I asked after a moment of hesitation.

"What kind of a question is that, of course you are."

I wasn't so sure about that, especially after seeing how papa's guests had reacted to me.

"I want to fit in," I muttered. "I want to be…good. The old me was alone after her papa and mama died and the new me… I am afraid I will be alone again."

He was quiet for a long while and I was afraid that I had said something wrong. Finally he cleared his throat and spoke.

"You won't be alone, little girl. I promise you."

He wrapped his arms tighter around me while holding the reins, I felt safe and peaceful. We were both quiet until we reached the village; he smiled at me while lifting me down.

"Wait here," he said and started to lead the horse towards a small stable, we were in front of a tavern. I heard many cheerful voices and music coming from inside, I hadn't been in a tavern since… Since I had become what I was now. The thought made me nervous, not to mention the tavern sounded to be full of people.

"Let's go then," Klaus said and took my hand, I wanted to say something, but I didn't manage to do that. The next thing I noticed was that we were inside, surrounded by loud drunken humans. No one seemed to pay much attention to us; Klaus was leading me across the room towards a corner table. It wasn't empty; I saw Kol and two giggling women.

"Good evening, brother," Klaus greeted him.

Kol and his companions looked up.

"Well, this is a surprise, I certainly did not expect…" he started before he noticed me and grinned. "Midget? How did Eli…"

"He does not own her," Klaus interrupted him. "She is not his progeny."

Kol's grin grew wider, but I was confused, I couldn't understand what they were talking about.

"No, she is not," Kol said and looked at me. "Hi, midget."

"Hi," I said insecurely, I was nervous.

"What a little cutie," one of the women said, she had a messy dark hair and big brown eyes.

"Forgive me, where are my manners," Kol said smoothly. "This is my brother and our…niece."

"She is adorable, my lord," the other woman said, she had curly light brown hair.

Klaus sat at the table and lifted me onto his lap; he ordered himself a stein and some water for me.

"Would you ladies like something to drink as well?" he asked smiling charmingly.

They both smiled and moved closer to him, Kol didn't seem pleased.

"I love fatherly men," the dark-haired woman purred and tried to touch my face, she smelled like alcohol.

"What is the little one's name?"

I didn't say anything; I tried to squirm out of Klaus' lap.

"Hey, hey," he said and touched my hair. "What is the matter?"

I was scared of the people around me and I would have wanted to leave, but I didn't have time to say that when Kol grabbed me and placed me onto his lap.

"You are terrible with children, brother," he huffed. "There, there, midget."

"Ooh, poor little thing," the brunette said, they both moved next to Kol. I tried desperately to move away from them, I was about to panic. They were touching me, like I would have been some doll.

"Stop…" I muttered.

"Hey," Klaus snapped. "You two, leave."

Both women turned to look at him.

"What…"

"Now," he said, his pupils dilating.

They stood up and walked away without saying a word.

"What do you think you are doing…" Kol started angrily.

"Look at her," Klaus huffed, tilting his head towards me. "She is terrified."

Kol placed me to sit next to him and looked at me.

"What is wrong, midget?"

"I…I would like to leave," I muttered. "There are so many people…"

Klaus moved to my other side and touched my hair.

"There is no reason to be afraid, sweetheart," he said calmly.

"No, there is not," Kol added. "These are just humans, they are nothing."

I didn't have time to say anything when a barmaid placed a stein in front of Klaus and a goblet of water in front of me, she smiled at me warmly.

"Would the young lady want some supper?" she asked.

Kol grinned.

"What do you say, midget, would you like to have a bite? The nice lady is offering."

I swallowed and looked at the woman's smiling face, I was hungry, but it didn't feel right to feed on her, so I shook my head. Kol raised his eyebrows.

"Are you sure?"

I lowered my head and nodded.

"Oh, midget…" Kol sighed after the woman had left. "It seems that Elijah has taught you well."

"Papa is kind," I muttered. "I love him."

Klaus and Kol didn't say anything, for a while we just sat there quietly.

"Well, Elijah is right about one thing," Klaus finally said. "You are still a child. I apologize for forgetting that."

I looked up and smiled at him.

"It's alright, uncle Klaus."

He leaned towards me, allowing me to kiss his cheek; I rubbed my cheek against his shoulder and turned to look at Kol. He looked careless, but he still leaned down, I kissed his cheek as well. The musicians were playing some upbeat song, some people were dancing, others cheered and clapped their hands with the rhythm. Kol grinned and held out his hand.

"May I have this dance, little lady?"

My eyes widened.

"I…I cannot dance."

"That is not a problem," he said and pulled me with him. "Come on."

I was about to protest, but we were already in the middle of the room with other dancing people, Kol took my hands and started to move around with the music. The whole dancing seemed more like hopping, that I could do. It was actually fun, I laughed when Kol spin me around. I hopped around, squishing his hands determinedly.

"You are supposed to let me lead," he chuckled.

I shook my head.

"No."

He sighed, but he allowed me to lead, people were clapping their hands and cheering at us. I danced with Klaus next, I wasn't distressed at all anymore. The people didn't seem so bad, even though they were drunk; I even danced with couple of them. Klaus and Kol were dancing with some women and ordering more steins, they seemed to have good time. I had no idea how long I had danced, but I felt that I needed a little break. I turned to look at the corner table and saw Klaus and Kol kissing the women they had been dancing with.

They probably didn't want me there now, so I decided to take a little walk in front of the tavern. The night was chilly, but that didn't matter, I didn't get cold. I smiled and hummed quietly, the night had been nice. Slowly I walked towards the stable; I wanted to see that the horse was alright. Suddenly someone grabbed me from behind and lifted me up; a dirty hand covered my mouth.

"Not a sound, princess," a man's voice grunted. "I bet those lords will pay anything to get you back…"

I acted instinctively, I sank my fangs into the man's hand, making him to let out a scream and drop me on the ground. Tasting his blood reminded me how hungry I was; slowly I turned to look at him. His eyes widened in terror and disbelief, his mouth floundered open and closed.

"Demon…"

I let out a growl and attacked him; my instincts had taken over completely. He screamed when I bit his neck, all I could think about was my hunger… The sharp pain in my stomach snapped me out of it; I fell on the ground trying to understand what had happened. I was bleeding… Why was I bleeding? Something sharp had penetrated my stomach. An arrow. I let out a sob, it hurt so much.

"Papa…"

"Get it!"

I saw a glimpse of two men before a hood covered my face and my hands were pulled roughly behind my back. I tried to struggle, but someone pressed my bleeding wound, making me scream.

"Hold it still; it seems to want more vervain."

The pain in my stomach was getting worse, it burned. Someone tied my hands behind my back, the robe burned as well.

"Papa," I sobbed.

"You can call the devil as much as you want, little demon, he won't help you now," a man's voice hissed while he pulled me up by my hair and threw me into a carriage. "The judgment day is here."