A new chapter, enjoy.

It is a short one but the next one is almost finished and it is quite possible that there will be another update by the end of the week.

My private life is a little chaotic so updates will remain erratic. As always my thanks to my beta Senema for her help und making this story better.

Tell me, how you like it, I'm always happy about comments.

Chapter 27

Klaus was still a little upset about how Freya had stopped him from following Elijah into his room last night. He knew her reasons and he understood why, because he too had seen that Elijah was at the end of his strength, but he still didn't like to be bossed around by anyone but Elijah.

However, he hadn't dared to sneak into Elijah's room behind her back later either. Freya could get pretty scary when it came to her family's well-being, a trait she shared with his eldest brother. Klaus also knew that in the last few years especially Freya had always felt more protective of Elijah above all her other siblings.

It was late afternoon when Elijah finally called him and told him that he was awake. He would call his other siblings too and Klaus should come as well as they needed to talk.

Out of spite, Klaus took his time before finally making his way to Elijah's room. So, it was no wonder that all family members except Kol were already present.

"How nice that you finally found the time to join us, Niklaus." There was no mistaking the sarcasm in Elijah's voice.

Klaus grinned. "What can I say, I like making a grand entrance."

"We are all aware of that", Elijah replied dryly. "I want to have a last talk about our approach before we go to Lucifer, there are still a few open points we have to settle beforehand. We have to present a united front to our enemies, as especially Marcellus and Vincent will use any disagreement they notice against us."

Klaus sat down next to Rebekah, his face serious now. "Yes, I know. The most important thing is to clear your name so that you are no longer a murder suspect, we need a witness."

"Yes, for that we need to find out whoever made the call to the police." Elijah made a face. "I don't have to tell you that there's a pretty good chance he's among yesterday's dead."

"We have an eyewitness to the murder. The werewolf you left alive", Rebekah said calmly. "We should ask him."

"Exactly, that's why I left him alive." Elijah smiled slightly. "With any luck, he'll be the one who called the police. If that is the case, we just have to persuade him to make another call to the police on my behalf."

Davina shook her head thoughtfully. "I don't think that just a call will be enough to clear your name. They'll want to see him in person when he makes his statement; otherwise they can't and will not accept his testimony on your behalf."

Klaus frowned. He seldom bothered with human authorities and accordingly was not up to date with the police customs of the respective decade. It would be wise to listen to Davina. "Maybe we can offer him a deal, his life for his statement", he suggested.

"And since it's the truth, it wouldn't even be a false statement", Davina said thoughtfully.

Elijah nodded slightly. "I would be willing to let the werewolf live, I have no personal grudge against him. But I have seen his eyes, he hates vampires, I don't know how willing he is to help me."

"I think seeing all his friends die must have had some effect on him", Freya said softly. "We should definitely try to make a deal with him."

"Okay, so the issue with the werewolf is settled. What about Sofya?" Elijah looked at Rebekah.

Rebekah hesitated. "Yesterday I would have killed her with pleasure and without hesitation."

Klaus could see that Rebekah's greatest anger had evaporated overnight and that she had given it some thought. "But today you have second thoughts", he said softly.

"I know what it's like to be in love and I think Sofya is really in love with Marcel", Rebekah admitted with a sigh. "If I think about all the damage Marcel has done, killing her would feel like a last victory for him and I resent that idea."

Elijah and Klaus exchanged looks.

"We can ask her", Elijah said slowly. "And if you think she speaks the truth, I have no problem letting her go, too."

"I agree but of course not without telling her what Marcel really feels for her. Lucifer told me yesterday that Marcel wanted to abandon her to save his own skin." Klaus grinned spitefully. "One of us will compel her afterwards, so that she never comes before our eyes again and also does not forge any revenge plans against us."

"That sounds acceptable", Rebekah said pensively. "Sofya deserves the truth about Marcel's feelings as her punishment."

"What about Marcel and Vincent?" Davina asked shyly.

Elijah pressed his lips together. "There will be no mercy for them, Davina. I'm not willing to let them get away with what they wanted to do to me or our race. This affects Vincent in particular, since we have no way of taking his magic away. We can't risk giving him another chance to carry out his plan."

Klaus swallowed almost imperceptibly. As angry as he was at Marcel, he could feel sympathy for Davina. However, he also understood his brother and, in this case, his loyalty belonged only to Elijah and he would fully support every decision of his and help him with everything.

Davina sighed and looked down. "If you don't mind, I'll stay here. I understand your reasoning but I don't want to watch you killing them. But you can tell them that I'm aware of their punishment and I support it although they will perhaps not believe you."

"Of course, Davina, this is absolutely understandable." Elijah looked at her kindly. "Would you like me to send Kol to you as soon as we get there?"

Davina shook her head. "No, this is not necessary." She smiled weakly. "I know Kol has been waiting a long time for Marcel and Vincent to finally get their comeuppance."

Klaus chuckled. "You are not wrong." He looked at Elijah. "What are you going to do with those two?"

Elijah sighed frustrated. "To be honest, I don't know yet. A lot depends on what other things will come to light during the next few hours. I have a few ideas though, where the punishment should fit the crime."

"Knowing you, brother, I am assuming they will be extremely creative and petty." Klaus smirked and Elijah's eyes twinkled innocently.

Freya sighed. "If you two are quite finished, we should go." She looked at her watch. "It is time and Lucifer waits for us."

"I find she has for some time now been worse than you at bossing us around, Elijah", Klaus complained, grinning mischievously at Freya. He loved teasing his big sister.

Freya looked at him with narrowed eyes. "Glad to hear you noticed. And it's better for you if you follow my suggestions. Because Elijah isn't the only one who gets creative when it comes to getting his revenge."

"I'm afraid this character trait runs in the family too", Elijah said dryly and stood up. "But Freya is right, we should go."

Klaus and Rebekah followed the example of their older siblings, only Davina remained seated, looking unhappy.

Klaus hesitated when he saw his sister-in-law so downcast. "I don't think anyone dares to come here, but be careful. Kol would be sad if anything happened to you."

Davina grinned slightly. "I'll be careful, Klaus. I've regained enough of my strength to fight back if someone attacks me. And I appreciate your interest in Kol's emotional well-being."

Elijah chuckled at Davina's words and Klaus glared angrily at his brother. Of course, Elijah knew how Klaus meant his words. What annoyed him was that Davina seemed to know it, too. His two sisters smiled at him finely and knowingly as well.

Sometimes Klaus really missed being feared by his siblings. Why had he ever given up daggering them?

The Mikaelsons left the hotel suite and drove to LUX, where Charlotte was already waiting for them. They entered the building and together they boarded the elevator that took them up to Lucifer's penthouse.