Chapter 37

In the evening, Beatrix and Klaus made their way to Rousseau's.

A Halloween party was already in full swing, with humans in costumes everywhere. Klaus yanked Beatrix through the bar until they found Lucien seated at a booth. He had three woman with him— one dressed as a cat, one as a nurse, and another as a skeleton bride (all sexy, of course).

"There's my old friend," said Klaus loudly as Lucien sank his fangs into the girl beside him. He looked up enthusiastically, some blood running down his chin. "Nik!"

"Hard at work ensuring my safety, I see," he said.

Lucien nodded his head with a goofy grin, and Beatrix realized he was drunk. He beckoned them over. "By all means, join us! Even though you're not in costume..."

"Business before pleasure," said Klaus pointedly as the woman dressed as a nurse looked him up and down.

"Ah," said Lucien in understanding. "Excuse me, ladies."

The three left without objection, and Beatrix slid down into the booth. Klaus paused, however, as he noticed that a rather burly man was remaining rooted at the spot beside the booth, as if supervising.

"Aha!" said Lucien. "I see you've noticed Gregory. Former Navy SEAL. I turned him personally to head my security team."

"Surely a vampire as ancient as yourself doesn't need a security team," said Beatrix with distaste, glancing up at Gregory.

"Not all of us are as gifted with witchcraft as you, darling," said Lucien as he leaned back in his seat. "By the way, I was doing some research— now I recall where exactly I heard of you. You're the one that the Strix can't stand."

She shrugged. "I get that a lot. Surely someone with extensive resources like yourself can understand that. I expect you've made many an enemy just with what you own."

He giggled drunkenly. "And you don't even know the half of it." He put his arm around Klaus as the two got their drinks. "You see, Nik, I have spent several lifetimes building a company devoted to shattering the very limits of what is possible. I have some of the most brilliant minds in the world developing technologies that you couldn't imagine."

"With Alexis as your crowning achievement, no doubt," said Klaus, clinking his shot glass together with Beatrix's before they both drank. "The single cure to the most terrifying threat of all— the unknown. Speaking of which... Perhaps we should go pay your seer another visit? See if anything has snapped into focus in regards to that mysterious threat against us. That way, Beatrix can bear witness herself and... double-check things, if you will."

Noticing the slightly uncomfortable look on Lucien's face, Klaus grinned devilishly. "If, that is, you're prepared to share your resources."

Lucien held up another shot of tequila and nodded slowly. "Of course! Her visions are our greatest chance for survival. I only regret I didn't suggest it myself..."

"Perfect," said Beatrix, not drinking her second shot. She stood and brushed down her skirt. "Shall we go, then? And preferably in a car, assuming you have one, pretty boy."

Lucien stood, and offered her his arm. "Of course, darling. Assuming Nik wouldn't mind. It's a bit of a... tight fit."

"So, I sit on your lap then," said Beatrix nonchalantly. "After all, we've got no secrets between the three of us, so there's no reason we can't get cozy."

The shy look on his face just confirmed Beatrix and Klaus's initial suspicions. Lucien was hiding something but he was playing it off as casually as he could.

And thus, the entire ride to his penthouse, Beatrix sat very comfortably on his lap. She had the urge to tilt her hips and dig the side of her pelvis into his side to make him uncomfortable, but she refrained from it.

"Very nice car you have here," she said, putting her legs up onto Klaus's lap and wiggling onto Lucien's as Gregory drove. She let her head lean back against the window.

"What did you give her, Nik?" said Lucien teasingly. "She's all... touchy."

Klaus smirked. "Oh, nothing at all. Beatrix is just very excited to meet Alexis. After all, witchy minds mesh well, don't they."

"Of course," said Lucien.

They arrived at the penthouse, and Lucien wasted no time in calling out for his psychic. "Alexis! Alexis!"

But no response. The television was blaring inside Lucien's bedroom, and the three went in, seeing the bed unmade, with the sheets all tangled in the center. Some pieces of furniture were overturned, and a spell was left half done on the nearby table.

"You two certainly get frisky in here," said Klaus teasingly, nudging Beatrix. "Was he like this with you?"

"Can we not bring that up right now," she said, casting him a look.

He chuckled and looked at Lucien. "Perhaps you should place your special lady friend on a shorter leash?"

"You don't understand," said Lucien, sounding worried. "Alexis doesn't go outside unless she has to. She's too sensitive. If she's gone, then someone took her."

He whipped out his phone and dialed a number, raising it to his ear. "Hello," he said. "Yes. Alexis is missing. Find her. I— no! I don't want your excuses! I simply want her found! Do you understand?"

Klaus seemed to be having the time of his life. "All the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't find oneprognosticating witch. But ah, well, it takes one to find one, I always say." He looked at Beatrix expectantly.

"Sure," she said, smiling fakely. "I'll be very glad to do a locator spell."

Within seconds, Lucien had everything prepared for her. He brought her candles and a map, and Klaus brought over a hairbrush he found on Alexis's vanity.

"Nice and easy," said Beatrix, humming and lighting the candles.

"Your brother must have told Tristan about the prophecy," said Lucien worriedly as Beatrix began to cast the spell. "If that sadistic bastard so much as touches a hair on her head..."

Klaus let out an annoyed sigh. "Yes, the witch's hair isn't what has me worried. Frankly, your girl seems a bit wanton when it comes to handing out visions."

"Alexis would not share her gifts with him," said Lucien, sounding offended as Beatrix waved her hands over the map. "That doesn't mean he wouldn't torture it out of her..."

He looked down as a circle of sand appeared on the map.

"Ah, the Davilla Estate," he said. "Brilliant. Isn't that where—?"

"Our old friend Tristan lured Elijah just the other night," finished Klaus. "It seems your fears are warranted."

"Granted, we are the two most cunning, powerful, and handsome vampires of all time," said Lucien, trying to be optimistic. "But that still leaves us a bit outnumbered. How do you propose we fight our way into an entire secret society of ancient vampires?"

"I'm literally right here," said Beatrix, waving her hand. "Plus, I think Freya might be free and in the mood for some excitement."

Klaus's lips curled into a smile. "Perfect. Tell her to come here— I have a plan for us."

Within minutes, Beatrix had gotten Freya on board with it, and soon, she was knocking at the penthouse door.

"Please, do come in," said Lucien cheerfully as he went to open the door for Freya.

"Ugh, this place smells like dried blood and bad cologne," she said, scrunching her nose up.

"That's just my natural musk," said Lucien. "I find the ladies love it."

"Not for more than one night they don't," said Beatrix under her breath, but given that Lucien was a vampire, he heard it, though he didn't respond considering Klaus let out a loud laugh.

"Here is the plan, then," said Klaus, going toward the bottle of scotch that resided on Lucien's table. "A distraction. We need to keep the Strix occupied with a loud sort of ruckus to find Alexis." He took a swig straight from the bottle. "Time for us to get drunk."

Beatrix made a face. "No thanks. Not unless you explain the rest of the plan first."

"Well, think," he said as Lucien went to retrieve more bottles of liquor. "The Strix are all bloody formal and whatnot. You and Freya needn't get drunk, you'll need to be quite sober for your parts. But think— what bigger distraction and blatant insult than Lucien and I, Tristan's greatest rivals, coming in and ruining the mood of the party just long enough to get Alexis out?"

"And how do you propose we do that?" said Freya. "The place will be crawling with vampires far older than Beatrix. Are she and I meant to fend them off and look for Alexis simultaneously?"

"Oh, Beatrix should be part of the distraction," said Klaus very seriously. "A little magic or something."

The Heretic stared blankly at him. "You were just going on about how you didn't want me to be with Elijah yet so I'm not in danger of the Strix, and yet, you want me to do magic in front of them?"

"It's a one time thing!" said Klaus, already beginning to down another entire bottle that Lucien had brought over. "It'll keep the attention on us. You are my sireling, after all, we can do a bit of bragging. Freya can find Alexis. She's strong enough to cloak her and get her out. We can have a few more companions— those three girls that you were with, Lucien."

He shrugged. "Sure. I'm certain they wouldn't mind going. If it gets Alexis back, I can compel those girls to do anything you'd like." He seemed quite pleased with this plan, wanting to be reckless.

"This is all quite vague," said Beatrix, sitting down as Klaus and Lucien popped open another two bottles, already looking tipsy. "Are Freya and I to take charge if something goes wrong? There will be hundreds of vampires there, Klaus."

"You'll both be fine!" said the hybrid. "We really... really need that psychic witch." He started to laugh, and put his hand on Lucien's shoulder.

Freya and Beatrix shared an exasperated look. "When you called me over, I thought there would be a better plan."

"So did I," she sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Alright, Klaus, say we do this. They'll recognize us right away."

"You can come dressed up, it's Halloween!" said Lucien, giggling and leaning back onto the armrest of his sofa. "Like... like witches!"

Klaus and Lucien apparently thought this was very funny.

"Those girls that you mentioned," said Freya. "Were they in typical Halloween costumes?"

"Oh, yes," said Klaus, furrowing his eyebrows. "Very... sexy."

Beatrix groaned loudly. "Fine. We'll dress up to not draw too much attention to ourselves if we come in with you."

"Check the closets," said Lucien dismissively, waving toward a set of doors. "Lots of clothes you can use."

Freya and Beatrix went over, and found rather cheap but abundant outfits that could certainly be molded into Halloween costumes. Freya went for an entire fuschia look, putting on a bobbed pink wig and a mask. "This should do for me," she said. "It doesn't mean anything, but I really don't want to put more effort into this. Let's hope it's at least a fun mini mission. Otherwise I might scream."

Beatrix giggled lightly. "Me too. How's this?" She held up a revealing dark outfit with a fuzzy bunny tail on the backside of it, complete with fishnets, and a matching set of ears. "Tristan will recognize me no matter what but I guess the point is for him to see me so that he'll be distracted..."

"It'll be alright," said Freya gently. "We'll have each other's backs. Let's just hope it doesn't get too crazy. I'm already feeling like I've had enough excitement and all they're doing is drinking."

Beatrix peered out to where Klaus and Lucien were apparently laughing at the shape of the bottle. "Yes... and getting quite inebriated."

Freya handed her another mask that she found. "Here, we can both wear masks at least over our eyes, it'll be something."

When they arrived at the Strix Gala, Beatrix almost immediately wanted to turn around, but couldn't, because Klaus put his arm around her and howled mockingly, making her pull the sexy nurse with her. Between Klaus and Lucien was the skeleton bride, and on Lucien's other side were Freya and the sexy cat. The three other women seemed completely unaware of what they were walking into, but they didn't seem to have a problem with it either way.

"I'm ready for my medication!" said Klaus loudly as they burst in, causing everyone in the room to stop and stare at them.

"My God," said Lucien dramatically, looking around. "It's a room full of Elijahs."

"I had the exact same nightmare once!" said Klaus, turning to Beatrix. "You were in it! But your face was Elijah's..."

To play the part, all seven of them laughed hysterically, but from across the men, Freya and Beatrix shared a look that said 'kill me now.'

Lucien turned to Freya and patted her cheek. "Go and grab us a drink, love! Feel free to fetch one for yourself."

"One for me, please!" Klaus slurred loudly. "And one for her, and her, and her, and her..."

"Tristan?" shouted Lucien. Klaus joined him. "Tristan! Come out, come out, wherever you are. Unless, of course, you're afraid!"

Tristan promptly stepped out from behind some of the vampires, and Klaus giggled, leaning onto Beatrix. "Look, look, it's him," he said excitedly, and she giggled and patted his chest, though she locked eyes with Elijah, who had come up beside Tristan. She felt her cheeks turn pink.

"You should, uh, move along," said Tristan, looking mildly unhappy. "You're not welcome here."

Beatrix fake pouted and looked at Klaus, who pretended to be sad. "Oh... oh, okay. We— we're not welcome here..." He plucked a glass of champagne from the nearest serving platter and walked up to Tristan, still slurring. "Or maybe you should move along before I make you cry in front of all your little friends! Ha!"

Tristan remained looking quite serious. "My concern is for your companions. They appear out of sorts without a shiny pole to writhe upon."

Beatrix let out a scoff on accident, then tried to mask it with a giggle. Lucien pulled her closer and gasped, looking her up and down. "Ohhh, he's suggesting that you're exotic dancers! Which, to him, is an insult..." He gestured toward the burlesque dancers that'd been entertaining the Strix just moments before. He took a few steps forward. "...If not hypocritical. But, don't take it personally, love. He finds all work demeaning. The only dignified way to accumulate wealth is by birth."

He cast Tristan an mischievous smile and leaned forward, extending his index finger and tapping Tristan on the end of the nose. "Boop!"

Klaus, of course, laughed hysterically at this, and Beatrix pretended to do the same, though she tried to listen for Freya. She could hear her talking, but not clearly.

"Isn't that right, Tristan?" said Lucien. "Hmm?"

Elijah took this as a sign to step forward. "Niklaus."

"What is it?" said Klaus, turning on his heel rather ungracefully to look at his brother. Elijah stepped forward and leaned in to whisper, but granted that they were all vampires, they could still hear perfectly fine.

"You're hammered," said Elijah. "Which should come as very little surprise to anyone here, but it does hamper the festivities somewhat. So, could I recommend that you find the nearest exit?"

"Just—" Klaus began.

"Yes," said Elijah simply. "And could you take your little playthings with you, too? They are not safe here." He put emphasis on this, and his eyes flickered over to Beatrix.

Klaus seemed to forget that she was supposed to be acting more lowkey, and stepped back to pull her forward. "You mean her?" he said loudly.

"Klaus, what are you doing?" she hissed immediately.

He pulled her hand into the air, waving it for the vampires to see. "Take off your mask, love, let them see who you are."

"Niklaus," said Elijah sharply, but he wasn't able to stop Klaus from snatching Beatrix's mask right off.

Tristan was the first to realize. "You dare walk in here?" he snapped, his eyes wild with anger.

"Oh, don't blame her," slurred Klaus with a sweet smile. "I'm her sire, after all. She has to listen to me."

He let go of her and stepped forward, addressing all the vampires. "You know, I used to find it insulting that I was barred from your special little club. But now, I realize that I lack the flexibility to become a member— I could never get my head far enough up my own ass."

He bowed dramatically, causing Lucien and the other girls to laugh, but Beatrix was standing, mortified, as the entirety of the Strix members glared in her direction. Clearly, they knew who she was, and were no longer paying attention to Klaus, who for some reason, had completely forgotten the plan aside from being distracting.

He patted Beatrix's shoulders as he came over to her. "You all think you're mighty," he said seriously. "And yet not a single one of you can do what she can. Show off, love, come on."

"Klaus, I really don't think that's a good idea," said Beatrix in a small voice, looking at Elijah with wide eyes.

"No, go on," said Tristan, crossing his arms. "Show us some of your terrible power, Heretic. After all, we have not forgotten that you massacred seventy four of our own for no reason."

Beatrix gritted her teeth. "First of all, it wasn't for no reason. You bloody lunatics were trying to force me into a coven I didn't want to be a part of!"

"And yet, innocent blood, on your hands," said Tristan with a shrug. "Doesn't change the fact that under that skin of a ditzy woman lies an absolute beast."

It no longer mattered to her that she wasn't supposed to lash out. She did anyway.

She raised her hands, and all the windows exploded, the glass in the chandelier burstin into a million pieces. There were a few screams and the vampires shielded themselves, but the glass did not fly down onto them. In fact, the next second that they looked up, the shards were stationary, floating in the air and catching the light, creating several rainbows that danced. She flicked one finger and the lights turned off, though the rainbows did not disappear, making the only source of light being multicolored. She raised her hands more and the lights began to flicker, and when she flicked her wrist, the shards of glass flew back into place, the windows and the chandelier repaired as though they'd never been damaged after all.

Klaus let out a giggle when the entirety of the Strix were silent. "And that's just a small taste of what she can do," he said proudly, putting his arm around her and planting a big kiss on her cheek. He looked at Tristan and Elijah. "No one in your sireline can do that, can they?"

He turned to Lucien. "Come on. Let's go. This party is dead anyway."

He let out a loud howl as the three woman laughed, pulling Beatrix with him out the door, where they found Freya waiting not too far off with an unconscious Alexis, apparently having slipped out the door with a charm that kept them invisible and undetected.

By the time they got back to the Mikaelson compound, Lucien and Klaus's drunkenness was wearing off, and Lucien left to wait for Alexis to wake up while she lay on a couch in the courtyard. Freya put together a tonic and handed it to Klaus, who drank it hesitantly, before looking back up at Beatrix, eyes wide.

"Bloody hell," he said quietly the instant Freya left the room. "I didn't... I didn't..."

"You completely forgot about your whole spiel to keep me safe, hmm?" she said, sitting down across from him, now with a bathrobe on to cover the costume.

He looked absolutely mortified. "I got... I got too ahead of myself."

"Yes, you did," she said, sighing quietly and crossing her legs. "But it's whatever. Tristan tested me anyway. I don't care if they know my power anymore."

When he didn't say anything in response, she just sighed and left the room.

She only came back when she heard rushed voices, and the particularly familiar one belonging to Marcel.

"We cannot tell friend from foe, and what are you doing?" said Klaus loudly, and almost angrily. "You're pledging a fraternity run by those conspiring against us?"

"My interest in the Strix is because of you!" said Marcel sharply. "I don't get to choose sides. Whoever comes for you, comes for me. That's all I need to know."

"Boys," said Beatrix as she came in. "What's the matter?" She then looked down at Marcel and went rigid as she saw a bite on his arm. "Oh, shit." She moved forward and took it tenderly, putting her hand over his wrist and beginning to siphon. The two men watched as little by little, the bite disappeared.

"What happened?" said Beatrix.

"I got initiated into the Strix," said Marcel quietly.

Klaus rubbed his forehead. "Think, Marcellus, whoever comes for me may very well come for you, but they may also come through you. Remember that." He faced Beatrix. "The witch is awake. Shall we go down?"

"Sure," she said a bit stiffly, biting her lip. If Marcel was involved with the Strix, she feared perhaps she may need to get more involved than she intended to. No way did she want him going through that alone.

She found that downstairs, Hayley and Elijah were back, while Lucien and Freya sat beside Alexis, who was close to tears. "I'm sorry," she said to Lucien. "I hoped I was wrong, I really did. But I saw it. I saw him die."

"Did you see the weapon?" said Lucien nervously. The witch nodded. "What is it?"

"To understand, it must be seen," she said, holding her wrists out toward Elijah and Hayley. They both went to be beside her and sat, taking her wrists and biting in.

It was the strangest thing ever. Alexis threw her head back, apparently beginning tos how them a vision, but within seconds, her nose was bleeding. Hayley and Elijah both detached their teeth, spitting out the blood they'd taken in, and coughing.

"Something's wrong," said Hayley.

"Poison!" said Elijah as Alexis spit out a large clot of blood, doubling over into Lucien's arms as he ran over to her.

"No!" he cried. "No— no— NO!"

Beatrix lunged forward and tried to siphon, but it was too late. The witch collapsed in Lucien's lap, her eyes wide open.