Klaus was a motherfucker.

I paced in the courtyard, unable to leave.

It didn't look like there was a boundary spell in place, but there most certainly was. I was trapped.

Again.

I was going to wring his skinny neck.

"Hi."

The blonde woman stood near what looked to be the entrance to a dining room.

"Hey."

"So you and Klaus..." she trailed off.

How would I even describe what happened. "Used to fuck? Yes. It was more out of hate than love, but he seems intent on keeping me for some reason."

It did strike me as odd.

"Personally I think he's just pissed I escaped for so long. He can be a petty little shit."

"And your baby?"

"Whether Elijah believes me or not-" I raised my voice. He was somewhere around here. "He's not Klaus'. I carried that kid, he's mine."

"I don't doubt that." The way she said it bothered me.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing." She stuffed her hands in her pockets. "It's just, you're clearly protective of your child, overly so if you won't let many see him, which would indicate no one protecting you while you were growing up. Even if you were on good terms with Klaus, it's unlikely you'd let him near the kid."

"Who are you again?"

"Camille. I'm his therapist."

No fucking way. "He's doing therapy?" I laughed. "Did he get to the part of his life where he forcefully tore us all from our packs, fed us his blood, and then broke our necks. Or how about when he hunted us all down like animals while we fled for our freedom."

She blinked.

"So no, even if I were on good terms with that asshole, I wouldn't let him see my son. It's not an issue of who did or did not protect me when I was a kid." Don't think about him, don't think about him, don't think about him. The only good thing that came out of this shitstorm was his death, and my subsequent release. "Fuck you for making assumptions."

Camille held her hands up. "Sorry."

She didn't sound it.

"Whatever. Can you leave or are you stuck here too?"

"He said it's not safe."

"And you believed him? Geez, he's got you."

She opened her mouth but Elijah appeared at the top of the stairs, slowly descending. "Enough, ladies, please."

"Blow me, Mikaelson. You knew Klaus would trap me. I bet you're as much as of a deterrent as a protector, you're clearly here for her, I was the surprise appearance." I did wonder what was going on that made Klaus batten down the hatches, so to speak.

No, it wasn't my business.

I wasn't going to get caught up in all of this. Not when I had Bennett to think about.

"Just let me go. I don't want this, don't want Klaus. I've already been away from my newborn too long. You gonna keep a baby from his mom because your brother has some fucked up obsession?"

Camille glanced between us.

Elijah's jaw twitched. "Niklaus wont be pleased."

"Like I give a shit if he's happy or not."

"What about your phone?"

"Isn't the first time I lost one of those, probably won't be the last. You won't believe how often those things get crushed on-" They didn't know I was a hunter. "It's nothing. Point is, I'm not worried about it."

Shit.

Elijah's brow rose. "No, please continue, what is it you're doing that would put that much danger near my nephew."

"None of your business."

"Why should I let you go head first into a situation like that?"

"Perhaps the ancient rune on my shoulder. I'll be fine. My son will be even better when his mother is home."

"And what about his father. Every boy needs one."

"Good thing he's got some male figures in his life to compensate for the gaping hole that isn't Klaus Mikaelson." I sighed, running my hand down my face. "Please, just let me go."

"I had no idea you had such deep regard for me."

I closed my eyes. Despite the rune, he still scared the shit out of me every time I heard his voice. I didn't want to turn around.

"Even if Elijah wanted to, I'm the only one who can dismantle the barrier." He was getting closer. "Perhaps if I keep you here long enough." Right behind me. He dragged his fingers up my arm. "Those friends of yours will bring the child to my doorstep."

Goosebumps trailed in his wake, and I despised how my traitorous body was reacting to him, how my skin felt alive, or that warm, gut feeling was staring to swell.

"Don't do this to me."

"You'll have to be more specific, little tempest. I've done a great many things to you, and I intend to do more still." Klaus whispered against the shell of my ear, hands skirting around my shirt and settling on my stomach.

Well, his shirt.

Mine had mysteriously disappeared.

He pulled me against his chest.

"Like I said. We're not having sex." I stepped out of his hold. "And I'm not going to stop fighting you until I get back to my kid."