His undead heart nearly stopped the moment his feet touched upon the stairs of her house.
Elijah ran a trembling hand through the bronze of his hair and inhaled the sweet scent of the summer air all around him. He had never felt more alive than he did right now, and there was only one particular reason for that incredible sensation. Well, a name, rather.
Elena.
She had been hurt earlier – massive cerebral hemorrhaging. Elijah knew this because he had been lurking outside of the Mystic Falls' hospital that morning. When no one was around, he had simply sneaked into her room. What he saw there nearly destroyed him. Elena's body, limp and broken, resting on one of those god-awful medical beds with an IV hooked into her skin. He had then experienced an overwhelming urge to sweep her into his arms and flee out whatever they could – the window perhaps. Anything to get her out of there. She belonged at home, safe, with Jeremy.
"And with myself," he couldn't help but think.
Still, it took everything he had not to blow his cover at the hospital – everything he had not to expose himself prematurely. He had big plans in Mystic Falls (as usual), and therefore he had to play it cool. He had to keep composed, for her sake. It wasn't even remotely easy walking away from the only thing that kept him alive for that matter – to leave Elena broke not only her heart but his as well.
Forever and always he has promised her. And he intended to keep that promise, too.
Even if it would kill him.
All it would take is a few gentle knocks on that door – the Gilbert's door, which rested right there in front of him. A few knocks and he would see her again. Her, with her chocolate eyes and pale, fragile skin. Beautiful Elena, her cheeks pink with blood, and true life in her veins. Real life. Not the distorted kind, like his. He thought about her some more as he reached out, his hand lingering on the door's wooden frame.
One knock.
Then two.
It seemed like an eternity to him – the wait for an answer. Her answer. A rushing noise filled his ears and his pulse quickened at the thought, tempting him. He wished to break down the entryway himself just to speed up the process. But, he waited.
One second.
Then ten.
The door finally opened, and he caught a glimpse of her dark, silken hair flowing down the front of her shirt before anything else. Immediately, he felt himself stiffen. There she was. Right there. Elena.
Yet, there was someone else behind her – guarding, almost. Who could it possibly have been? He looked.
Elijah nearly ripped the door to shreds then, as he recognized the figure.
It was Stefan Salvatore.
"Elijah," the young vampire angrily muttered.
A= surge of pain went through his chest.
"Hello again," he nearly whispered. And then he finally brought his gaze onto the woman in front of him.
Finally.
It took a moment for the shock to register on her face, but when it did, Elijah felt another surge of pain sear through his tightened chest. Was she really that surprised to see him again? Was she happy?
Was she disappointed?
"Elijah?"
Her voice was like honey to his perfect ears.
"Elena." He allowed himself a polite smile, though he could feel Stefan's eyes on his every move. It was infuriating.
"Control, Elijah…"
"May I come in?" he then asked in a pleasant voice.
Elena's face suddenly flushed red and she opened her mouth to speak, although no words came out. She almost looked as if she were choking.
"No?"
He tried not to show his sudden onslaught of disappointment.
"No! I mean… yes!" Elena cleared her throat and her voice came out stronger this time. "Please… come in."
When Elijah nodded, both Stefan and Elena turned away as they went to make more room for their unexpected visitor, though Elijah quickly reached out and touched Elena's waist, motioning for her to stop moving.
"Wait," he breathed.
She froze underneath his touch - but he continued, never withdrawing his hand.
Quietly, he leaned forward so that his lips were at her ear. "Meet me in your room at dusk. We must talk. Do you understand?"
Elena shook her head yes, though only a fraction of an inch so that he would notice and no one else – just in case. Just as she moved to step forward again however, Elijah abruptly shifted his head and gently pressed his mouth again her temple, closing his eyes as the scent of roses engulfed his nostrils. It was the most delicious thing he'd ever smelled in his life.
Hesitantly – slowly, Elijah then let go of the young woman and entered her house, though this time, with a victorious smirk on his face.