The Chosen One

Thirty Five: Deal

Jessica

           I did not even bother knocking on the door. I just strode right on in. At that moment I recalled having scolded Damon a couple of times for not being polite and knocking on doors rather than bursting through them. With a small amused half smile, I realized that I was now guilty of the same thing. Guess it was a vampire thing.

          Sensing as well as hearing him, I strode down the hall and stopped in the open doorway of the study. There reclined back in a sofa chair, Klaus sat with his feet propped up on a foot rest and a mostly empty glass of alcohol in his hand. Though no one else was in the room, I could hear his four hybrids about the place. Two of them were in various rooms of the house and the other two were roaming the estate. I was unconcerned about them, knowing that there was nothing they could do to me. Not to mention I was certain that Klaus had already warned them about me.

          Before he even looked up, an amused and cocky grin crossed that ruggedly handsome face. When those eyes rose to meet mine, even from across the room that gaze made my heart skip a beat. Hearing this, his grin widened.

          "I take it that you've reconsidered, love?" Klaus's tone was teasingly smug.

          "Well this isn't exactly a social call. Unfortunately I don't have any other options." I entered the room and took a seat in the sofa chair across from his. "Believe me. I've tried to think of them all. Yet the quickest way to get her back is through you."

           "Indeed. Just think, if you had taken me up on the offer right away, your friend might have already been making her way here."

            I leaned forwards, putting my elbows on my legs and maintaining my unwavering gaze on him. "Yeah but I didn't for the same reason that I am wary of even now. I want to make sure that if I make this deal, that you will uphold your end of it."

         "I uphold the deals that I make. I will have him release your witch friend if you uphold your part of the bargain."

         "That is another point I want to discuss. I want to know what type of favor you might possibly ask of me. I have my reservations about owing you and I have my limits." I watched looking for a sign that could help me get an idea of what might be going through his mind.

           Klaus gave a slow smile, amusement flashing in those blue grey eyes. "Such as?"

          Leaning back in the chair, I crossed my arms over my chest. "I will not do your dirty work for you. I will not kill for you or help you threaten anyone. And I will not act romantically involved with you."

          Klaus's expression soured, turning bitter. "Of course, since you have vowed to resist my advances. Tell me, do you actually believe that you can have a relationship with Damon? That I will allow you to see him?"

          I narrowed my eyes at him. "Allow? I don't need your permission to be with whoever I want."

         Anger and yes I even saw jealousy flare up within those stormy eyes, though he tried to hide it. Then apparently a thought occurred to him that had him flashing me a slow sinister smile.

        "You are anxious to know what I will ask of you in exchange for having your friend returned? I will give you an ease of mind and state my term for her release now." Klaus paused, our gazes matching and locked onto one another. "You will not see Damon. You will not be involved with him."

          I froze, staring at him. Processing what he just said. As the full meaning of it sank in, anger rose within me. I sprang to my feet, glaring at him vehemently. "I will not let you nor anyone else dictate me!"