Eternal || Elijah Mikaelson

XCIX - Always

Have a happy New Year. ;)

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Chapter Ninety-Nine

I clasped my necklace around my throat, then slipped on the heels that I absolutely despised, but had decided to wear for this 'special' occasion. I walked out of my room and saw Elijah standing at his table, looking down at the folder while he buttoned his shirt cuffs. I looked at him for a moment, watching while he slipped on his jacket.

"She's right," I said, smirking while walking over to him. "It's definitely identical."

"Don't worry," he chuckled, smiling at me. "I picked the one from the middle."

"Of course you did," I laughed.

He smiled, a gleam in his eyes.

"You always keep your word," I smiled softly at him. We stayed in silence for a moment, before I looked over at the stairs. "Gia is probably waiting at Marcel's," I said. "We should get going."

He nodded once, then held out his bent arm to me. I smiled at him before linking my arm in his, and he led me to the stairs, locking the door behind him.

Once we got to Josephine's home, I found out that Gia was an even better musician than I thought she was. She was playing the piece she had been given beautifully, and she hadn't even learned it before that day. She had memorized it in the short few hours that she had to get ready to perform.

It was amazing, she had a true talent that was very rare. Anyone can learn to play an instrument, but not many people have a talent for it.

When Gia was finished, she took a deep breath and looked to Josephine, as if waiting for a review. But, she did not get one.

"You are as calculating as I've heard, Mr. Mikaelson, having your companion play the very piece I performed to great acclaim," she said.

"Isn't that also a piece that you enjoy?" I asked from my spot beside Elijah.

"It's best not to insult those more powerful than you, which is the only reason I allowed you into my home," she said, and Elijah looked at Gia slightly nervously. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have many things to do."

"My goodness, I had expected a more cordial welcome here," Elijah said, smiling a little. He was trying to intimidate her without seeming threatening.

It didn't work.

"Why would I be cordial to you?" she asked in a cold tone, taking him aback. "Since your family has returned to this city, our elders have been murdered. Promising young witches have been inhabited against their will."

"And we can put an end to all of it," he argued.

"With all due respect, I can believe that as much as I can believe that I will play my violin again some day," she said, looking down at her swollen and shaking hands. "Because, Mr. Mikaelson, beneath your formal attire and behind the lovely Beethoven, you are all the same. Liars. Monsters wearing the skins of humans. Good day to you all."

"Miss LaRue," I said, looking at the floor for a moment and waiting until I felt her gaze on me. I turned my head to look at her, and leaned towards her slightly. "I am part witch. I am not completely a vampire, and I am not completely a witch. We are similar, I have an essence inside of me that you share. If I am a monster..." I smiled. "Then what does that make you?"

Her lips parted, like she didn't know what to say to me. But then she stood up. "I do not kill innocent people, Miss Sothaide."

"And yet, you are willing to kill the woman that you believe is Eva Sinclaire. She is NOT Eva Sinclaire, she is one of my closest friends," I said. "And we can't allow you to harm her."