Chapter 2: Cat and Mouse
Kol came for her like a shark scenting blood in the water.
Iris saw him the moment he left the balcony—the fluid, predatory grace of his movement cutting through the crowd like a blade. Her pulse kicked up, not with fear but with the electric thrill of the chase. She knew that look. She'd seen it on the faces of a hundred hunters, human and otherwise, who thought they could catch her.
None of them had.
She grinned, wolfish and wild, and slipped backward into the press of bodies. The party was in full swing now, the courtyard packed with supernaturals of every stripe, and she used them all as cover. A cluster of witches arguing about potion ingredients. A pair of vampires locked in a heated embrace. A group of shifters passing around a bottle of something that smelled like gasoline and regret.
"Little bird."
His voice was right behind her, low and amused. Iris didn't turn around—she just laughed and dove sideways, ducking under a table draped in velvet and emerging on the other side with her dress hiked up around her thighs.
"Can't catch me that easily, darling."
"Who said anything about easy?"
She was already moving, weaving through the crowd with the nimble grace that had served her well in a thousand Quidditch matches and a hundred escape attempts from the Dursleys. Her bare feet slapped against the cobblestones as she sprinted toward the far end of the courtyard, where a maze of trellises and climbing roses created a natural labyrinth.
The party was still going strong, but Iris's focus had narrowed to a single point: evade, escape, repeat.
She ducked behind a massive oak tree, pressing her back against the rough bark and struggling to control her breathing. Her heart was pounding, her blood singing with adrenaline. She hadn't felt this alive since the Battle of Hogwarts, when death had been a breath away and every second had mattered.
"You know I can hear your heartbeat, right?"
Iris peeked around the tree. Kol was standing twenty feet away, his head tilted, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. His dark eyes gleamed with predatory amusement.
"I'm not even trying yet," she called back. "This is just my warm-up."
"Warm-up?" He laughed, stepping closer. "Little bird, you're going to need more than warm-up if you want to avoid what's coming."
"What's coming? A punishment? Ooh, I'm so scared." She pressed a hand to her chest in mock terror. "Whatever will I do?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
She bolted before he could finish his sentence, tearing through the rose maze with branches catching at her hair and snagging on her dress. She heard him curse behind her, heard the sound of thorns ripping fabric, and cackled with delight.
"Language, Kol!"
"I'm going to—" The rest of his threat was swallowed by the rustle of leaves and the snap of a branch.
Iris emerged from the maze on the other side, gasping and laughing. She'd lost him. At least for the moment.
But then she saw Elijah, cutting through the crowd with the calm, methodical precision of a man who had hunted his prey for a thousand years. He was still pristine, his dark suit unrumpled, his expression serene. He looked like he was out for a pleasant evening stroll, not participating in a game of supernatural tag.
"Miss Potter." His voice was velvet over steel. "I believe you owe me a dance."
"I believe I owe you nothing." She grinned, backing away. "But I'm willing to give you a chase, if you're feeling sporty."
"A chase?" He raised an eyebrow. "I haven't been challenged to a chase in quite some time."
"Then this'll be fun." She blew him a kiss and took off running.
Elijah followed with a speed that made her heart skip a beat. He was fast—much faster than Kol, who seemed to be more about theatrical pursuit than actually catching her. But Elijah moved like water, fluid and unstoppable, always seeming to be a breath away from closing his fingers around her wrist.
She led him on a merry dance through the party, using every trick she knew. She ducked under trays of drinks, vaulted over tables, and once, she even grabbed a passing witch and spun her into Elijah's path, using her as a human shield. The witch shrieked in protest, and Elijah had to sidestep to avoid colliding with her.
"Sorry, love!" Iris shouted over her shoulder. "It's nothing personal!"
She spotted a vendor's cart laden with colorful bottles and had an idea. She skidded to a halt, grabbed a handful of the bottles, and started hurling them at Elijah. They exploded in showers of purple and gold paint, coating the air in shimmering clouds.
Elijah emerged from the chaos covered in glitter and purple goo, his pristine suit ruined, his composed expression finally cracking into something resembling annoyance.
"That," he said, his voice dangerously calm, "was not wise."
"Probably not." Iris was already running again. "But it was fun!"
She circled back toward the main courtyard, her lungs burning, her legs aching. She'd been running for what felt like hours, and she was starting to tire. But she couldn't stop now. Not when she was winning.
And then she saw Kol, waiting for her at the edge of the courtyard. He looked worse for wear—his dark hair now streaked with rainbows, tiny unicorn-shaped sequins scattered through the strands. He must have gotten hit with one of George's more creative fireworks earlier, and the result was absolutely ridiculous.
"Nice hair," she called out, skidding to a halt. "Very fashion-forward."
Kol's eyes narrowed. "You did this."
"I absolutely did." She grinned, backing away. "It suits you."
She turned to run, but Elijah was there, blocking her escape. She spun and found Kol closing in from the other direction.
"Nowhere to go, little bird." Kol's smile was sharp. "Game's over."
Iris calculated her options. There was a gap between them, perhaps three feet wide. If she was fast enough, quick enough, she might slip through in time. But she was tired, and they were faster.
She decided to try anyway.
She dove for the gap, but Kol moved with supernatural speed, his hand closing around her arm. She twisted, trying to wrench free, but his grip was like iron. Elijah was there a moment later, his hands settling on her shoulders.
"Caught you," Kol murmured, his breath warm against her ear.
"Only because I let you." But she was panting, her chest heaving, and they both knew it was a lie.
"Of course you did." Elijah's voice was dry. "And the glitter?" He paused, long enough for her to squirm under his gaze. "That was all you too, I take it? Along with the rainbow-hued hair and the unicorn sequins?"
"Every last one." She smirked, but her heart was racing.
"Then I suppose we'll have to discuss your punishment." He looked at Kol. "Won't we, brother?"
"We certainly will." Kol's grin was wicked. He didn't say another word, simply hoisted her over his shoulder like a sack of flour. She gasped as the air was forced from her lungs, her dress riding up to expose the curve of her arse.
"Put me down!" She kicked her legs, but her struggles only made him tighten his grip.
"I don't think so." He patted her arse, a sharp slap that made her yelp. "You've been a very naughty little bird. And naughty birds get punished."
"I'm not a bird!" She squirmed, but he was too strong. "I'm a bloody menace, that's what I am!"
"Yes, you are." Elijah appeared at her side, his expression unreadable but his eyes gleaming with something that made her stomach flip. "And we're going to enjoy taming you."
The walk through the compound was a blur of grandeur. They moved through ornate corridors, past priceless works of art and ancient weaponry, until they reached a set of heavy oak doors. Kol shifted her weight, pushing them open.
"Brother," Kol announced, his voice ringing through the room. "We've brought you a present."
Iris was dumped onto a plush velvet settee, bouncing once before she scrambled upright. She looked around the room, taking in her surroundings in a single sweep.
It was a study, richly appointed with books and paintings and dark wood. And behind a massive desk, looking up at her with those ice-blue eyes she'd seen from the balcony, sat the golden-haired man. He was even more striking up close—broad-shouldered, sharp-jawed, with the kind of dangerous beauty that made her want to run and stay at the same time.
"So," Klaus said, his voice a low, amused drawl, "you're the one who turned my brothers into a rainbow and a glitter bomb."
"I prefer rainbow," Iris shot back, crossing her arms. "It gives Kol character."
Kol sputtered indignantly, but Klaus's lips twitched into a smile. He rose from his chair, moving around the desk with the fluid grace of a predator. He towered over her, and she had to tilt her head back to maintain eye contact.
"What's your name, little one?"
"Iris." She refused to be intimidated. "Iris Potter."
"Potter." He tested the name, his accent curling around it. "And what brings a tiny thing like you to my city?"
"Your city?" She snorted. "Pretty sure New Orleans belongs to everyone, not just you."
Klaus laughed, a genuine sound that seemed to surprise even him. "You've got spirit. I'll give you that." He looked at his brothers, taking in their disheveled appearance. "What did she do to deserve her punishment?"
"Where do we begin?" Elijah stepped forward, his voice dry. "She assaulted us with fireworks, painted us in glitter, turned Kol's hair rainbow, and stole his wallet while flirting with him."
"I gave it back," Iris pointed out.
"After emptying it of all the cash."
"I needed spending money. And he wasn't using it."
Klaus's smile widened. "She sounds like a handful."
"She's a menace," Kol muttered. "A complete menace."
"Mmm." Klaus turned back to Iris, studying her with an intensity that made her skin prickle. "And what do you think your punishment should be?"
She shrugged, her heart pounding. "I don't know. You're the ones who caught me. I'm sure you'll come up with something creative."
Creative they did. Klaus's eyes darkened, something shifting in his gaze. "We have a room. A special room. For naughty little things like you."
Iris swallowed, but she refused to look away. "Sounds kinky."
"It is." Klaus's voice dropped. "But it's also very painful. Are you sure you want to find out what's inside?"
"I'll do anything you want." Iris felt a spark of arousal ignite in her belly, a thrill of anticipation. "But I'm warning you, I'm not easy to break."
Klaus's lips curved into a smile that made her insides flutter. "I'm counting on it."
He took her hand, pulling her to her feet. Kol and Elijah followed them, their feet echoing on the gleaming floors. They walked down a corridor she hadn't seen before, and the light dimmed as they descended deeper into the compound.
The room was called the Red Room, and it was unlike anything she'd ever seen.
The walls were lined with black velvet, the floor covered with plush, dark carpeting. Iron shackles hung from leather straps on walls that were covered in hooks and gadgets with ambiguous purposes. Whips rested beside pots of salve. There was a hood that looked deceptively soft and masks made of polished leather. The air smelled like leather and roses, heady and intoxicating. It was a place designed for pleasure and pain, for those who understood that the two were intertwined.
Klaus moved behind her, his fingers trailing down her spine. Iris shivered.
"You came unprepared, little bird. We need to get you out of this dress." He reached around her, unzipping the minute scrap of fabric she'd been wearing all night. She stepped out of it, her clothes pooling at her feet.
She stood in the middle of the room, naked and vulnerable, while three ancient vampires looked at her like she was a feast laid out before them. She felt a blush spreading down her chest, but she held herself tall. She wasn't about to give them the satisfaction of seeing her shy.
"I want you to understand something." Klaus's voice was low, seductive. "From this moment, you belong to us. Your pleasure, your pain, your every moan and sigh—we own all of it." He circled her, his fingers grazing her skin, leaving a trail of fire in his wake. "You'll do as we say, when we say. And in return, we'll give you more pleasure than you ever thought possible."
Iris shivered. Anticipation pooled hot in her belly. "And if I don't do as you say?"
"Then we'll punish you." He stopped in front of her, his eyes blazing down at her. "And you'll learn to obey." He gripped her chin, tilting her face up. Klaus looked at her—truly looked—for the first time, and a flicker of pure, possessive heat lit in his eyes. "Do you understand?"
She nodded, but he shook his head.
"You speak when we tell you to speak."
Iris swallowed, her heart thumping. He reached behind her, and she felt the cold, smooth touch of leather against her skin. He laced the corset tightly, pulling it snug over her ribs so that it cinched her waist, pushed her breasts high. She gasped as he pulled the strings taut.
"Beautiful." Klaus stepped back to admire his work. Her breasts were practically spilling out of the corset, her nipples rosy and tight.
But there was more. He lifted her, placing her on a worn slab of polished dark wood, and her heart began to pound as he produced a pair of leather cuffs. He buckled them around her wrists, tight enough to feel constraining.
"These," he said, "keep you in place, but not too much to stop the blood." He attached them to chains that hung from the ceiling, and her arms were raised above her head, her body stretched out for their perusal.
"Now," Klaus continued, his voice a low command. "Lift your chin. Look at me."
She obeyed, and he passed a piece of soft silk around her eyes, tying it at the back of her head. The world dissolved into darkness.
Kol had been silent, watching with a predatory stillness, and he took a step closer.
"Let's see how sensitive you are, little bird." His fingers traced the inside of her thigh, feather-light. Iris gasped. She could feel their eyes on her, even though she couldn't see them. The darkness amplified every sound—the soft rustle of fabric, the quiet intake of breath—and made her hyperaware of her own nudity, her vulnerability.
Elijah was behind her, his breath warm on her neck. "You've been so brave," he murmured, his hands coming to rest on her hips. "But bravery has a price, doesn't it?" His fingers dipped lower, brushing through the slick, wet folds of her cunt.
For all her bravado, no one had touched her like this. Inexperienced and achy, Hermione would've called what she felt shame, but Iris was too busy chasing the sensation to comprehend its meaning.
Iris gasped. She could feel the callouses on his fingertips just barely, could feel the careful way he traced her. She was trembling, her heart pounding in her chest.
"You're already so wet," he noted, his voice pitched low. He parted her lower lips, sliding a single finger through her slick, wet crease. She moaned, pressing into his hand. The darkness magnified the sensation, made it sharper, hotter.
"Please," she whispered.
"Please what, little bird?" Kol circled behind her, letting her feel his chest, the solid heat of him against her upper back. He dipped his head, pressing his lips to the shell of her ear. "We've barely begun."
Elijah teased her. He worked slow circles into her clit before moving his finger to her entrance, teasing her, sinking in a single inch before pulling back. She bucked her hips, chasing more.
"Greedy little thing, aren't you?" Klaus's voice was warm with approval.
Her head fell back against Elijah's shoulder as the man behind her sunk a finger into her, then a second. He worked them in and out, curling them inside of her, and she could hear the wet, slick sound her pussy made around him. She clenched around his fingers, desperate for more.
"Please," she gasped. "I want you inside me."
"Mmm." Elijah withdrew his fingers, and Iris whimpered at the sudden emptiness. "We haven't even started with your punishment yet. You owe us for the humiliation you put us through, little bird." His fingers traced over her slick, wet lips, teasing her clit again. "We haven't even shown you what pain feels like yet. Do you want to feel it?"
"Yes." She sobbed. "Yes, please."
A swift, sharp crack landed on her arse, and she yelped. The sting bloomed, sharp and hot. A second slap hit her other cheek, and she cried out, trying to arch away.
"Count them." Klaus's voice was calm. "We want to hear you counting."
"You forgot to say please," Elijah said, and the paddle hit her again.
"Please," she gasped. "Three."
"The rules are simple," Klaus said, his voice deceptively mild. "You will address us with respect. You will be grateful for every touch we give you. You will count every blow, and you will thank us after each one." "Now, turn around."
She obeyed, turning to face the room. She didn't know where they were, which one of them was speaking, but the next crack of the paddle landed against her already overheated skin. She cried out, the sound turning breathy against her will.
"That didn't count," she heard Klaus say coolly. "You didn't count. We'll have to double the punishment."
"No, wait—" The paddle fell again, harder this time, and she cried out.
The game continued. Each blow sent her reeling, the pain morphing into pleasure, her mind going fuzzy and blank. She was nothing but sensation, nothing but the sting of the paddle and the press of their flesh on hers, the sound of her own whimpering in her ears.
She'd lost count of how many strokes had landed. Her arse burned, but her cunt was uncomfortably empty, leaking slickness down her thighs.
Klaus had knelt between her thighs, his eyes hooded as he lapped at the mess his brothers had made of her.
"You did well, little bird." His voice was warm, soothing. "Such a good girl, taking your punishment." He sucked her clit into his mouth, and she sobbed. "But we're not done with you yet."
She felt the tip of his cock nudge at her soaked entrance. He slid in slow, inch by torturous inch, until he was fully seated inside her, and she whimpered at the feeling of being so full.
"Such a tight little cunt," he praised. "You feel exquisite, little bird."
He set a lazy, deep pace, pulling almost all the way out before sliding back in. Her hips bucked up to meet him, desperate for friction. He was long and thick, and every stroke hit a spot that made her see stars. She was so close, so close, her orgasm coiled tight in her belly.
"Please," she begged. "Please, I need to come."
Her voice came out as a sob, raw and desperate. "Please, I need—"
"Ask properly," Kol said, from somewhere just behind her ear. She felt another pair of hands on her, one sliding up her stomach, the other wiggling a finger in her arsehole. The sensation made her jolt, her entire body flinching at the sudden intrusion. "Beg nicely and maybe Klaus will send you over the edge."
"Please—" She swallowed, panting. "Please, sir, let me come."
"What's the magic word?"
"Please, please, please—" She was babbling now, incoherent with need. "Please, let me come. I'll do anything—anything you want." Klaus chuckled, low and dark. "That's better." He reached down and rubbed circles against her clit, and she shattered.
Iris came apart with a cry that echoed off the dark walls of the Red Room. Her inner muscles clamped down around Klaus's cock, her body shaking violently. He held her through it, letting her ride out the waves, and when she collapsed, her heart still hammering, he was still hard inside her.
"Such a beautiful little thing," Klaus murmured, his hips beginning to move again, a slow, hypnotic rhythm that drew her back to the surface. "I'm not done with you yet. I'm going to fill this tight, beautiful cunt up until you're overflowing."
Iris whimpered at the dirty promise. She reached down and found her own clit, rubbing in frantic circles, chasing yet another orgasm. It built quickly, her body still buzzing with the aftermath of the first.
Klaus looked at Kol then Elijah. "Ready to take her together?"
The wicked, ravenous look they gave her in return made her breath catch hot in her throat. Kol moved to stand in front of her, his cock thick and leaking. He pressed the head against her lips, and she opened her mouth obediently, tasting the salt of his pre-cum.
"Take me deep, little bird. Show us what a good girl you can be."
She wrapped her lips around him, working him with her tongue and throat. Behind her, Klaus maintained a steady, deep rhythm. Kol slid a hand around to her neck, almost a grip, a gentle reminder of his presence. She was impaled and filled, her body a vessel for their pleasure.
A sob bubbled up in her throat to see Elijah shed his shirt and move behind her, his movements fluid, precise. A hint of his chest. A whisper of his breath. And then he too was there, sliding into the tight, virgin ring of her arse, and she was the center of their world.
Her eyes rolled back in her head as they stretched her in both directions, filling her so completely she couldn't tell where one of them ended and the other began. They worked her in perfect rhythm, one pulling out as the other pushed in, setting up a steady, relentless rhythm that flicked little sparks of fire through her nerve endings.
"You feel that, little bird?" Kol's voice was strained, hoarse. "You're being so good for us. Taking both of us so deep. You love it, don't you?"
"Yes," she cried, sloppy and incoherent, spittle running down her chin. "Yes, yes, yes—"
A shout, and Kol came, spilling down her throat. He pulled out with a shudder, his hands sliding to her waist to keep her steady as Klaus continued, chasing his own end. The rhythm extended into the first slap of his thighs against her, a sharp, echoing sound that was wet and sharp, sticky hot.
"Fuck," he ground out, raw and guttural. "Iris, I'm going to fill this tight little cunt until it's dripping with me. And then we're going to start all over again."
She could come again, another orgasm was building fast, ripped out of her core by the sheer animal force of the three of them. She slipped her hand down to her aching, neglected clit, rubbing frantically. She was filthy with sweat and cum, and still they rutted her, unstoppable in their hunger.
"Come," Klaus commanded. "Come now."
She shattered on his command, a scream lodging in her throat as her body convulsed around him. Elijah finished a moment later with a shuddering groan, his release flooding her insides. But Klaus didn't stop. He slammed into her wrecked, sensitive body until he finally spilled deep inside her with a roar that echoed off the walls and ricocheted around inside his skull.
For a long moment, there was no sound but their ragged breathing, the slow drip of sweat and cum onto the wooden floor below.
Klaus pulled out with a slick sound, and Iris collapsed forward, caught by Kol's arms just before she hit the ground. Kol held her, stroking her hair back from her face.
"That was... Fun," she rasped, her voice broken and raw. "What else have you got?"
Klaus laughed, the sound rough and satisfied. "You have no idea what you've just started, little bird. I can't wait to teach you everything we know."