The Gate

Chapter Thirteen: Surprise Accomplice

I slam my car door and walk towards the front entrance of the house, booze in one hand and a conjured, nail-impaled bat in the other.

"Where in the world did you get that monstrosity?" I hear Klaus call from behind me. I turn around smirking at the brotherly pair.

"Same place they got you." I continue to walk towards the house, stepping into the rickety porch. "Hell." I wrap my fist on the door a few times as the brothers arrive on the porch behind me.

"Since when do soon-to-be dead kidnappers answer their doors at request?" Elijah drawls. I roll my eyes and respond in the same sarcastic tone.

"Since when do you have a sense of irony?"

"Enough," Klaus snaps. "We're waisting time, break the door down already." I sigh, lifting the bottle to my lips and taking a large gulp before placing it on the old wood of the porch. I saunter to the window adjacent to the door and wrap both hands around the handle of the bat, swinging it as hard as I can into the glass with the full force of my upper body. I then toss the bat through the opening towards some old coffee table, hastily brushing the glass off the interior window sill and climb (fall) my way in somewhat (very) ungracefully. I scramble to my feet and dust my palms, turning to bow jokingly in the direction of the Mikaelson brothers.

   "Odd, I don't remember the meaning of the word 'door' changing..." Klaus comments sarcastically as he climbs in after me.

   "Well for one, this was more fun. And two," I say as Elijah kicks in the door, straightening his tie afterwards. "I wanted to see you struggle your way in. Cheater," I mutter at Elijah. He simply smirks and continues with Klaus through the house, searching for any signs of life. I follow after them, taking quick glances at my surroundings. There aren't any decorations, and the few pieces of furniture strewn about are covered in sheets. I skip to catch up with Klaus and Elijah, wondering aloud the question to which I already know the answer; "Do you think this place has a basement?" Elijah looks around before responding.

"It looks like it was built around the late 30s, basements and bomb shelters were popular then, so most likely." I nod, looking around once again.

"Okay, so I'll look for that while one of you checks out the second floor. Sound good?" I offer.

"And who put you in charge?" Klaus questions grudgingly. I roll my eyes.

"I'm just trying to be efficient," I snap back at him.

"Perhaps we should wait for the others," Elijah suggests. "They should be arriving shortly." I sigh and walk back into the possible living-room, collapsing onto the sheet-covered couch. I wave my hand in the direction of the window, summoning the abandoned bottle of booze to me. I take a sip, staring blankly out the window as Damon's car pulls into the long driveway. They probably went to pick up Stephen, that's why they're late.

   "So you're a witch?" Klaus questions from the wide entryway. I glance behind me to see him leaning against the doorway. I shake my head and turn back to the window.

   "Not exactly," I respond quietly, taking another sip as he waltzes over. I find myself watching him as he finds himself a sheet-covered armchair just across from me to sit in. I narrow my eyes at him. "What are you doing?"

"Well I thought we'd have a little chat," he suggests, glancing around awkwardly. I continue to stare at him in suspicion.

"Did your brother put you up to this?" I question. He simply smirks in response.

"Well aren't you a fast one?" I take another sip of the bourbon.

"So what then?" I ask, causing Klaus to tilt his head in confusion. "Why make nice with me now when you can just take your witch and get the hell out of here?" He sighs as he leans forward, placing his elbows on his knees and folding his hand together, his face suddenly seriously.

"Because Elijah thinks you might be of use to us, just as we may be to you." I furrow my brow. His eyes stare into mine and he lowers his voice to a slight whisper. I lean forward to better hear whatever he has to say next. "I get the feeling I'm not the only secret those 'friends' of yours kept from you." He says ominously. I frown.

"What does that even mea—" Before I can finish, I'm interrupted by Damon barging through the front door, Stephen and Elena trailing close behind.

   "Good morning star-shines, the Earth says hello!" Damon quotes exuberantly, wearing that trade mark smirk of his.

   "Isn't that from Willy Wonka?" I ask, my head tilted and eyes squinted. Damon simply shrugs as Stephen closes the door behind them.

   "Probably," He saunters over and slumps into the seat beside me, taking the bottle of bourbon from me. He sips a rather large sip before continuing. "Have you found anything?" I sigh and take the bottle back to have a drink of my own.

   "We wanted to wait for you lot to join the party," Klaus pipes in.

   "Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's get searching." Stephen invites, rubbing his hands together. "Lets say... car party Mikaelson covers floor one while Damon, Elena and I take the upstairs. Sound good?" I take one last sip of bourbon before placing the now-empty bottle on the floor and standing up.

"You're missing the basement." I add.

"Oh goody, the creepy house gets creepier." Damon says sarcastically as he stands up beside me. In the corner of my eye I can see Elijah take his place leaning against the French doorway. "Here's what I'm thinking, Cassie and I will take—"

"Nope." I interrupt, earning an amused smirk from Klaus. Damon shoots me an annoyed glare before continuing.

"Okay, then Stephen and Cassie can take the base—"

"Actually, I would prefer to search the basement with Miss Brekker." Elijah joins the conversation. Would you now? My face falls into one of shock while Elijah continues to stare expectantly at Damon. I can feel Elena's silent and confused judgement breathing down my neck.

"Fine," Damon says through gritted teeth. "Elena and I will take the main floor while Stephen and Klaus search the upstairs." He waits a second for any objections, glancing around the room. "Everyone satisfied?" There's a few nods, but otherwise, complete silence. Damon claps his hands together, virtually finalizing the plan. "Perfect, go team." He mutters, walking off with Elena. Klaus and Stephen follow them out of the room, proceeding up the stairs on the right. I watch them as they go, leaving me alone with Elijah. Who, by the way, hasn't stopped staring at me with what I think is curiosity. He pushes himself from the wall he was leaning against and walks towards me.

   "I expect the entrance to the basement is outside." He says smoothly, gesturing to the front door. "Shall we?" I stare back at him with a dumbfounded expression, still confused as to why he requested my company. I close my mouth which has seemed to have fallen open without me noticing and nod, walking past him and out the door.