STRANGERS

As soon as we arrived at the dance, Katerina and Trevor had disappeared into the crowd. All she left me with was an impish wink and a small encouraging smirk.

Rather than dwell on the loneliness and guilt, I tried to simply blend into the crowd. Brushing down on my skirts, I weaved through the dancers and found the most secluded part of the room. It was in a corner, shrouded by darkness and would hopefully keep me safe.

Instead of attempting to converse with the guests, I busied myself with marvelling over the art pieces. They were unknown to me but seemed worthy of being infamous. Just as they were left in the darkness, there was an isolation and seclusion being portrayed within the art. Unspoken angst was voiced in the dulled colours.

Through my study and hope to remain at peace was disrupted as a chilling voice broke the silence. "Why do you not join them?" he breathed and I felt his voice brush over the nape of my neck, sending a chill through my spine.

Rounding my shoulders, I anxiously bit down on my bottom lip. "I am not much of a dancer" I admitted and laced my fingers together.

"Maybe with the right partner?" he added suggestively and I felt his fingertips brazenly trail up my fingers and up my arm. Suddenly, I was thankful for having worn lace gloves.

My breath hitched with the burning intensity of his words. "Cursed with two left feet, I doubt that you will make it out alive" I warned, hoping that I could deter him from wanting to ask me to dance. Only, a low, husky chuckle left him, I braced the worst and turned to face my intruder. "Elijah?" I recalled the portrait I had seen.

"I suppose I am not so discreet" he smiled warmly which surprised me.

Overcoming my fear and surprise, I clutched at my skirts and bowed. "My lord" I muttered, suddenly feeling very small.

He then did what I dreaded when offering out his hand, "Will you accept my-"

"Look who I have found brother"

We were interrupted with the three approaching figures; Sir Trevor, Katerina and Klaus. I was unsure as to whether I was grateful for them interrupting Lord Mikaelson's offer. However, the thought fleeted when I caught onto my sister's frustrated expression. Her lips were pursed and her eyebrows were furrowed, creating a crease on her forehead.

Unknowingly, I found myself mirroring her but stopped when she composed herself. Her sweet smile gracing her face as she addressed Elijah. "My lord" she bowed and I was reminded where I had failed. Without helping myself, I bowed too, wondering how I could have forgotten my manners. Those hazel eyes met mine and seemed humoured as a small smile lifted at his lips.

"I see that you have met my sister" Katerina continued.

His eyes widened and then dulled with an unknown emotion. "Your sister?" he gasped.

"This is Isabella Petrova" Katerina introduced.

"Isabella…" Elijah murmured and I seemed to like how he said my name. He seemed to stun us all when accepting my hand and then slowly bringing it up to his lips. Though it was covered with lace, I felt his heated breath prickle at my skin and leave a pleasant burn.

All the while those burning eyes remained fixated onto me and the intensity had me turning away. "Pleasure…" I whispered.

"Oh, I'm sure the pleasure is all mine" he argued fiercely making me turn back to him.

Katerina continued her act when fanning herself with a small secretive smile that charmed anyone around her. "Thank you for inviting me and my sister to your home. It truly is magnificent" she wondered and I smiled tautly in resp0nse.

"Well, drink, eat and remember that our home is yours" Klaus spoke up with a wicked grin that struck fear within my core.

However, I didn't get a chance to dwell on this as Elijah stepped in front of me. "And you can thank me by joining me for a dance" he murmured lowly.

"As I have told your before, I cannot dance" I shook my head and caught a flash of annoyance etched on Katerina. "My sister on the other hand…" I brought up, making her smile at the attention given to her.

It didn't seem to work as Elijah stepped in front of me and held out his arm. "Then walk with me"

Glancing nervously at my sister, I found that she was busy being twirled away by the other master – Klaus. Trevor had taken it upon himself to simply watch as another man took the woman he had fallen for. Guilt and sympathy ignited and I knew I would have to reprimand Katerina later.

…but for now, I wanted – no, needed to be away from the exuberant crowd which is why I agreed. My hand now woven with his as I was welcomed with a pleasurable warmth. Sharing a smile, I allowed him to lead me through the gaping eyes staring at us and into the peaceful night.

Once we were outside, the night's air cooled my flushed cheeks. I found myself releasing a breath I hadn't realised I was holding.

Lord Elijah stopped and I stopped, anxious and fearful. It was when the warmth of his gaze met mine that I relaxed. He simply smiled and reached up, pushing a strayed curl behind my ear. My breath hitched as his fingers lingered on my neck before regretfully trailing away. "You are beautiful Isabella"

Again my cheeks burned and I ducked my head down, wishing that I could hide behind my hair. However, Maggie had insisted on the clips that drew my curls up into a tight but neat bun. He continued to watch me and I felt bared…exposed which was why I pulled away from him and hurried down the steps before him.

It wasn't long before he caught up to me, still watching and still smiling.

"You have a nice home" I offered feebly, wishing I had my sister's charisma and charm.

He chuckled softly. "You don't like it"

"It is grand" I reasoned and wrapped my arms around myself, hating how I was an open book to all. "I simply prefer the simple things"

He looked away with a small pensive hum. "Do you like England?" he finally asked.

"It is cold"

"You shall get used to it" he promised.

"It is loud and everyone seems to be on a clock" I shook my head as I thought of back home. Katerina didn't want us to dwell on the past but recently my heart was ever so nostalgic. "I miss the country" I murmured and became more grateful for the large Mikaelson estate that was separated from the bustling city.

"With nights like these, I find myself wondering why I ever left" he surprised me with his reply. It was forlorn that I had to face him once more.

"Where did you previously reside?" I wondered.

"For years, my brother and I have travelled the world" he answered vaguely which led me to believe that there was another story.

Not wanting to push him, I decided to tease him instead. "Two independent boys without the peering eyes of a mother or wife?" I shook my head and mockingly tutted. "The things you must have done" I smirked and he mirrored it, only it fell into a sad forced smile. "Forgive me, did I offend you?" I hastily backtracked.

"Oh no, please don't trouble yourself with unnecessary guilt" he shook his head.

It seemed impossible for me to ignore his suffering. "Pray tell, what troubles you?"

A very long minute stretched into the silence, distancing us from the world behind us, before he finally spoke. "Well we haven't had a home for very long time" he admitted.

"I understand" I breathed, knowing exactly what it meant. I no longer felt like I was living, it felt like we were surviving. We had been with many barons and lords; lived in their castles and mansions but the large rooms only made me feel small.

Suddenly, he was standing before me, stopping me from taking another step. "What secrets do you hide Isabella?" he wondered, seeming fascinated with how his gaze roamed over my features. His eyes tracing every part of me.

"I could ask you the same thing" I retorted.

The grin returned. "Show me yours and I'll show you mine" he suggested.

"You certainly are overconfident" I jabbed at his chest playfully and walked around him so we could continue our walk.

He bounded his way by my side. "Is that a flaw?"

Growing pensive, I mulled over his question and shook my head. "Sadly no" I uttered and saw his victorious grin from the corner of my eye. "I fear you have no flaws" I confessed.

"I could say the same thing" he replied and my eyebrows shot up. First he called me beautiful and now he was saying that I had no flaws. How could he overlook my sister and think these things about me? "I have big feet" he revealed loudly, surprising me.

"What?" I laughed, marvelling at how strange his train of thought was.

He smiled and reminded me, "My flaw" he explained, wiggling his feet causing me to laugh again. It was both discerning and satisfying with how comfortable I felt with him. "With a laugh and a smile like that, I am sure I can overlook your flaws" he whispered, studying me again and I blushed. "I suppose I will just have to0 wait and see"

"What makes you think I will be around to give you the chance?" I replied.

Lord Elijah paused and deliberated over a thought. Determination then flared as he closed the space between us. "Well I have every intention of making you stay" he breathed with a fierce undertone.

I crossed my arms but couldn't find the strength to step back from his delicious scent, inviting lips and warmth. "You make it sound like I do not have a choice"

"Maybe you don't" he grinned with a wicked glint in his eye. "Though, I can assure you that even so, you will want to" he argued, brazenly placing a hand on my hip.

Shaking my head, mostly to clear my clouded thoughts, I stepped away from him. "I correct my statement, your arrogance is a flaw" I said smugly when he continued to follow me. "A terrible, fatal flaw" I disapproved but still sharing his smile.

"Brother…"

We spun around and I gasped at the sight of Klaus. "I see you were entertained" he noted distastefully but still playing with a falsified smile.

"Very much so" Lord Elijah agreed.

Looking behind him at the brightly lit mansion, my concern grew. "Where is my sister?" I demanded, pulling away from Lord Elijah.

"She is retiring for the night" he calmly informed me.

Now I was left fearful and perplexed. "She would never leave without me" I frowned.

"She didn't" he assured me, still calculating his brother. "You and your sister will stay with us" he added offhandedly.

"What about Sir Trevor?" I fretted.

Finally he met my eyes but the dangerous dull intimidated me. "He and his family are returning to Ireland" he answered which only vexed me further. Had my sister known all about this and refused to tell me?

"What?" I gasped.

Klaus took a step towards me. "No worries because I have offered our home to you" he gestured towards the palace but it offered no assurance. Something was strange and so very wrong about this.

"Forgive me but I have to point out that I do not know you" I sniped, "I cannot spend the night with strangers" I argued and hitched at my skirts, ready to trek back and demand an explanation from Katerina. She could not keep doing this; placing her faith into others.

"Do you have anyone else?" he smirked with a knowing look.

I stopped and met his stare. "We'll get by"

"At least for the night" Elijah finally spoke up. "Tomorrow is another day" he pleaded but I was already shaking my head. Before I could withdrew, he had captured my hand in his. "Trust me…" he begged and threaded our fingers together before kissing mine.

"Do you always use your charm to get what you want?" I asked, gulping when blinking up at him. It was a minute later that I remembered his brother's presence which made me pull away. I studied both of them; hot and cold – fire and ice. "Trouble" I decided when waving between them. "That is what both of you are"

"Me?" Klaus smiled innocently.

Narrowing my eyes, I pointed at him accusingly. "Especially you" I countered. Then without another word, I began to walk back to the house. It was when I heard their hushed whispers followed by their steps that I stopped and turned. "We'll stay" I nodded. "But only for the night" I warned, wagging a finger at them. by this Elijah seemed pleased whereas Klaus became victorious. Taking a step towards him, I glared darkly. "And if you try anything to hurt me or my sister, I will take your swords and behead you both in your sleep" I warned.

"Fearless words" he murmured.

"From a fearless woman" I vowed.

This seemed to frustrate him as his furrow deepened. "You should know who you're up against before you start making threats" he growled.

"It wasn't a threat" I stood back.

"Oh?"

"It was a promise" I vowed, matching his glare and not daring to back away.

It only broke as Elijah stepped in between us. "I'll show you to your room" he offered and wound his arm around mine. After one last glance at his brother, I once again accepted Elijah's hand.

A/N: Enjoy the love/hate relationship with Klaus or want more of Elijah and Bella? Thoughts on Katerina? Reviews are almost as good as having the Mikaelson brothers ask you for a sleepover.