A life in the shadows

54

The doors opened and everyone turned to see who it was. Whoever it was was pretty late.
"Oh, no." Matteo said.
"Oh no!" Olly echoed.
"We're screwed." Jessamine stated.
"Oh come on, you guys. It's Kaia. We like Kaia." Siobhan said before walking over. Matteo followed.
"Hi, Kaia." Siobhan grinned.
"Hello Siobhan, and stop frowning, Matteo."
"Sorry." He looked down sheepishly.
"I'm here to back you up, Matt. Since you guys refuse to just leave town, I'm here to make sure you don't do anything stupid."
"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence."
"Come on, this is a party, isn't it?"
"Uh," Elijah stood, making and announcement. "if everyone could gather, please." Finn looked over to Siobhan and beckoned her in a final attempt but she shook her head. He nodded in resignation then walked over to the staircase where the rest of the originals gathered. Elijah smiled pleasantly. "Welcome, thank you for joining us. You know, whenever my mother brings our family together like this, it's tradition for us to commence the evening with a dance. Tonight's pick is a centuries-old waltz, so if all of you could please find yourselves a partner, please join us in the ballroom."
"My lady," Matteo held out his hand, smiling wide. "Would you care for a dance?"
"I'd be delighted." She replied and they both nodded at Kaia who was approached by Kol.
"Remember when we went dancing in Manhattan?"
"Yes, right before Adrian wolfed out and almost mauled his date."
"Fond memories." Matteo laughed as he twirled her. She ended up with her brother and Matteo was dancing with Kaia.
"You know everyone placed bets on how long it'd take for you and Siobhan to get together."
"How long did you say?"
"I said before two centuries. I won."
"You look very nice, Kaia."
"Thank you."
"I don't think I've ever seen you so dressed up."
"I don't usually have a reason to be."
"Thank you. I know you must've had to jump through so many hoops for us."
"Honestly, I didn't. They agreed pretty quickly. My being here was the only condition."
"Oh. Well, thanks anyhow." She shrugged before she twirled to someone else and Matteo ended up with Caroline.
"Hey there." He smiled. He'd grown fond of the young vampire.
"Hi, Matt." She said. "Who's she?"
"That was Kaia." He said.
"Your friend teacher mentor lady?"
"Yeah."
"That is not what I imagined."
"What did you expect?"
"Someone... older. More of a kind middle aged lady than a dangerously sexy, young woman."
"Dangerously sexy, young woman?"
"She looks like she's got knives hidden in her dress and a hairpin that's actually a small dagger- basically she looks like a kick ass assassin."
"She probably does." He laughed. "So I saw you dancing with Klaus."
"Don't go there."
"Where exactly do you think I'm going?"
"Someplace not good. I'm only dancing with him because..." she trailed off.
"Because...?"
"Because he got me this dress and it's the only thank you he's getting."
"Oh, so he got you a dress?"
"You're just like Siobhan."
"And you like Klaus."
"I do not. That's nasty."
"Yeah?"
"And I only came to this dance because being home made me think and I want to be distracted."
"And Klaus is distracting."
"What? No! That's not what I meant. At all."
"Uh-huh."
"I hate you."
"No you don't."
"Goodbye Matteo." She said and he ended up with Siobhan in his arms again.
"Hello darling."
"Why did Caroline look so frustrated with you?"
"I was teasing her."
"Well now she looks pissed and she's dancing with Klaus."
"Those two are going to end up together someday."
"You really think so?"
"I hope so."
"Well, aren't you a softie." She leaned in to kiss him.
"Just don't tell anyone. Might ruin my reputation."
"Oh, somehow I doubt your reputation is going to be much of a problem."
"And why is that?"
"Well..." She started coyly before walking away from him. He followed her.
"What's that supposed to mean?" He asked her but she didn't reply.

Kaia walked up the staircase and to the room Esther was in. She was alone.
"You." Esther accused.
"Yes. Me."
"What are you doing here?"
"The last time you were alive you screwed with your youngest child and attempted to kill her. I'm here to protect her. From you."
"So why are you up here?"
"To warn you. The rules have changed since you were last alive. Who we are. It's a secret. You don't tell anyone anything that could be the slightest bit suspicious."
"And if I do?"
"Our leaders- they care more of the survival of our kind than your survival. You should keep that in mind."
"I can't believe Siobhan would fall back in with you lot." Esther scowled.
"We have never done anything to you, Esther. And if it wasn't for the attention it'd attract, we'd send you right back to where you've come from."
"So why are you up here?"
"I'm here to warn you, Esther. Keep away from Siobhan, and keep the secret. I'm protective of both."
"She's my daughter, and if I want to reconcile with her, I will do my damnedest. I don't give up on family. Trust me on that."
"What happened to your eldest daughter again?" Kaia glared at Esther who kept quiet. "That's what I thought. And Siobhan may be your daughter, but you and I both know I've been more of a mother to her than you could ever be. And I know you have something up your sleeve. I know your planning something, and I do believe that Siobhan might once again be the victim. So I promise you, if she gets hurt, there's not a single place on this earth you'll be able hide from me. And I will make sure you stay buried in the ground this time. Am I clear?"
"Crystal." Esther glared back at Kaia, who gave a little smirk.
"Good." Kaia walked out of the room and bumped into Finn.
"Who are you?" He asked.
"Oh, I'm a friend of Siobhan. You know her as Silvia? Nice to meet you. Finn, right?"
"Yes." He nodded. Kaia smiled pleasantly at him before walking away.