DISCLAIMER: No existing fictional characters from The Vampire Diaries belong to me. They are property of L. J. Smith and the CW. However, all OC characters belong to the authors.

A Man's World.

Nightfall swept over Mystic Falls, coating it in a blanket of darkness. Amy sat crossed-legged on the edge of Leah's four-poster, oak framed bed, confusion encompassing her features. Jaw hanging ajar as oceanic-blue eyes darted between her fiery haired friend and the towering brunette male stood beside her. Leah was pacing around the room like a caged animal, deep emerald eyes lowered to the wooden flooring. Tyler had his broad figure blocking the open doorway, preventing any escape for Amy. She hung her head in shame; ringlets of mahogany falling to cascade over her shoulders. She was disappointed, not because Leah had discovered her secret, but because she had kept it hidden from the one person she knew would understand.

"I don't understand… You just can't be a witch. No." Leah mumbled, partially to herself, unable to bring herself to look at the girl sat opposite her.

Tyler immediately pulled the wooden door shut, an awkward silence consuming the room. It wasn't exactly something they would like Mayor Lockwood hearing; a human living in the house with a witch, hybrid and vampire.

"Yes. Just like you are a vampire and Tyler is a hybrid. I am a witch. What is so hard to believe about that?!" Amy burst out, her cheeks flushed with heat as both Leah and Tyler turned to stare at her.

Rather than arguing, Leah collapsed onto the bed beside her, dragging nimble fingers through her wavy mass of scarlet. Detecting calm in the aura of the room, Tyler moved from the doorway to perch on the edge of Leah's mahogany dresser. His lips sealed into a firm line as he attempted to find a resolve for their situation; distracted as Amy and Leah began to roll around in laughter, receiving a glare from the tall male.

"What?" He pressed, tiredly pushing a hand through his tousled hair. Honey-brown eyes rolling as the girls high-fived one another, pleased with their dramatic display. Leah bounded to her feet, dragging Amy up with her; bowing her svelte form once as Amy applauded. Tyler watched warily before shoving his towering form from the dresser and stomping from the room, slamming his own door after entering. Amy's shapely eyebrows raised as she reached the volume of witchcraft she had lay on the desk in anticipation for hers and Leah's display.

"I'm heading out for a few hours. Don't wait up." Amy confirmed as she made a dash for the bedroom door, grasping her iPod and earphones as she exited. Not moving fast enough as Leah's voice followed her through the door in the form of "You have less than hour, don't make me come looking for you. Be aware of the creatures of the night, A."

Calling back to Leah before she made an exit into the crisp night air; "Creep, you know I'll be back. Don't worry about me, witchy juju will keep me covered, L."

Frosty air probed her milky skin, causing shudders to erupt along her spine. Underestimating the cool midnight winds as she rubbed fiercely at the flesh of her bare arms; attempting to soothe the goose bumps now visible to the naked eye. Before she could control herself, her feet directed her towards an antique looking building, that of the witches burial ground. Power hurled itself in Amy's direction, setting the petite girl back a step as she was overwhelmed with the harsh mutters of witch spirits, something of a warning. Rather than heeding the warning she continued forwards, tightening her hold on the heavy book she held to her chest. This wasn't the first time she had been to the witches burial ground, nor would it be the last, yet the eerie atmosphere undoubtedly made her wish Leah had come along.

A rush of cool air whipped around her advancing form causing her to drop the heavy grimoire, cursing as pieces of paper strayed from the volume. Before she could gather the papers the broad silhouette of a man appeared before her, clad in a black suit and tie. Cobalt coloured eyes bulged as the man moved forwards all too gracefully to collect the grimoire and papers with intricate drawings and phrases scribbled in pencil.

'Leah would love this.' Amy thought sarcastically, cursing herself internally for not taking her friends advice and staying home. Perhaps this would be a lesson, if she survived of course. Subconsciously she had been staring at the exceedingly attractive male who now offered the leather-backed book to her.

"I apologise for frightening you, ma'am." He intersected. Amy felt herself swoon internally at his ridiculously perfect accent, clearly foreign. Pausing for a moment she simply allowed her gaze to stray along his toned figure; his jaw prominent, wide cocoa coloured eyes, full lips. At first glance he seemed completely mortal, no danger whatsoever yet the closer Amy looked the more powerful and prominent his aura became. A realisation dawning on her; the power that had almost knocked her from her feet was in fact his. 'How could such a man be that powerful?' A minute voice asked her, her inability to answer the question irritated her to no end.

Resisting the urge to gawk further, she simply nodded, "Of course, sir. May I ask; what are you doing here?" Pausing for a moment to intake a breath. "I… I have to go."

His eyebrows instantly furrowed, appearing almost pained at her swift exit. "Please, call me Elijah." Before she could disagree, he took her dainty hand in a firm yet painless grip, locking his gaze with hers as he brought her knuckle to his lips, pressing the most tender of kisses to her pallid skin. Heat rose in her translucent cheeks to cause a deep scarlet blush, glacial eyes refusing to part from his captivating stare.

"Pleased to meet you, Elijah. I'm Amy." She muttered, barely able to speak as nerves consumed her. It wasn't every day she met a tall, dark stranger who had such fantastic manners. Swallowing thickly she drew back her hand, clasping the grimoire in a feeble grip. "I need to leave. I'm expected elsewhere."

Brushing a hand along the length of his coal-black blazer he bowed his head in a hurried nod. "Very well, Amy. It has been a pleasure meeting such a finely tuned woman." With that, he vanished, nothing but a gust of air signalling his existence. Something that would become a distant memory. Feeling fragile and exhausted, Amy wandered through the woodland outskirts to reach the pristine building that she now called home. Weary of Leah's reaction to the evening's events and the mysterious man she had stumbled upon.

The last thing she was aware of was the rhythm of rain pelting at the window, sleep consuming her consciousness. Leaving her in a semi-conscious dream state, reflecting on all she had experienced today.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this chapter. This is dedicated to Amy, a friend of mine. The next chapter will be written by her as we are writing this story together. We both sincerely hope you enjoyed this and will be posting the next chapter soon. We would love to gain feedback from you all.

Thank you,

Leah and Amy. x