Monomania

Chapter 11: Ultimatum

Flashback: 1917

"Kol, please can we go back? I'm scared, what if Nik finds out? He's going to be mad at me." Emilina pleaded as she held onto Kol's arm in the busy New Orleans street.

"Don't worry Darling, I'll take care of it. Just relax," Kol said, pulling her through the crowd. "Enjoy yourself."

As the crowd grew thicker, even Kol had a hard time pushing through. In the midst of the chaos, Emilina's hand slipped from Kol's grasp. She freaked out when she realized they weren't together anymore. She slipped out of the crowd and waited on the street corner, scanning the crowd for Kol.

Tears began to pool in her eyes. She had no way of finding or contacting Kol and she didn't know where she was.

"Excuse me miss?"

Emilina gasped and turned to see a handsome young man. His dark hair was slicked back and concern was evident in his bright honey eyes.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"I'm- I'm waiting for my brother. We got separated in the crowd," she admitted, nervously wringing her fingers out.

"I will wait with you and keep you company till he returns, if that is alright with you, my lady," he said earnestly.

"I-I'm not sure my husband would be very happy if he were to find out," she said, still nervously scanning the crowd, her heart thumping faster as the nerves worsened.

"My lady, I know Mr. Mikaelson is your husband," he said gently, earning a sharp, surprised gasp from Emilina. "Surely he cannot fault me for keeping his beloved wife safe?"

"How do you know my husband?" She asked cautiously.

"I work for him. My name is Gage," he introduced.

"My name is Emilina," she said, "but I think you already know that."

"I do," he said simply before extending a hand to her, "please, allow me to take you inside. It is too hot out here for such a beautiful woman in a beautiful dress."

Gage led her inside an ice cream parlor and bought her a treat. The stress melted off Emilina's shoulders as Gage kept her company, telling silly jokes to make her laugh. She responded by telling him all about the cool places she's been over the years.

If he was surprised by her ancient stories and human status, he didn't show it. He just smiled and nodded, reacting to her stories when the moment called for it.

When she finished her ice cream, Kol burst into the shop, anxious and out of breath. He visibly relaxed when he spotted her, hastily walking over to the two of them.

"I'm so sorry I lost you darling. Who is this?"

"Kol, this is Gage. He helped me when I lost you in the crowd."

Kol offered Gage an appreciative nod before telling Emilina they needed to leave. He helped her out of her seat and put a hand on the small of her back.

"Bye Gage, I hope to see you again soon!" She called over her shoulder as Kol led her out of the ice cream parlor.

"Goodbye, my lady," Gage whispered to himself, smiling as he watched her leave.

***

"So tell me Damon," Stefan said as they pulled into the boarding house, "what do we think of this whole thing?"

"Honestly?" Damon said as he parked the car, letting out a groan as he threw his head back. "I think Elijah is trying to take advantage of our desire to get back at Klaus for what he did to Elena."