Chapter 4 – Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow

I had been an 'Immortal' for nearly a week now, and I began to notice my strengths as well as my weaknesses. As suggested by Esther I only feed off of Tatia unless a stranger came into the village. I only took what I needed to survive, but I still had to feed Tatia my blood to heal the wounds I had inflicted. I did not enjoy feeding on humans, but animals did not satisfy my hunger. Feeding on humans was the only way I could survive, but the urge to bleed Tatia or any other victim dry was difficult to resist, but I swore to myself I would not become a monster like the wolves.

My emotions where extremely heightened throughout the entire week of discovering my new identity I found it difficult to be near Elijah, not that I wanted to harm him. I felt as though I could not control my feminine urges when he was near.

The full moon was near and soon Esther would complete the transformation of Elijah as well as the rest of her children. I was strolling in the wood seeing a how I didn't have any chores to complete. I walked towards the tree from that night thoughts of Henrik being mauled by my father haunting my mind. Soon a scent over took me, it was familiar almost comforting, but something told whatever or whomever it belonged shouldn't be trusted. I followed the trail of the scent until I spotted them, the wolves in human form.

"We must act." One said angrily. "Viktor's death must not go unpunished."

"We strike when the moon is full."

"The witches are up to something." Another added. "I can feel the presents of something new in the village, even in these woods."

He looked my way and I took off before they could even notice I was there. I reached the outskirts of the forest and returned to human speed. I rushed to Esther's door to warn her. I knocked politely on the door, and I was greeted by Mikael.

"Good day Sir is Esther in?"

"No I believe she has gone to visit Ayanna." He replied. "Is there something I could help you with?"

"No… no I suppose I will head that way."

I made my way back towards the woods, and as soon as I was out of sight I speeded to Ayanna's home. I knocked frantically at the door.

"They're going kill him…" I panicked.

"Who's going to kill who?" Ayanna replied.

"The wolves they're going to kill Elijah on the full moon." I continued. "Esther they can sense me as well, they know you and Ayanna are up to something." I paused. "You must turn Elijah and the others before the moon is full."

"The wolves sense you?" Esther investigated.

"Yes, and I could sense them as well." I began. "I was walking in the woods, and I could feel their presents and it drew me near them."

Esther gained the same worried look that she had given me when I revealed I knew about Niklaus. She stared hard at me and then opened her mouth to speak.

"Mika you must leave the village tonight."

"What… why?"

"If the wolves can sense you it puts the others at risk." She continued. "Your family, Niklaus even Elijah."

"I can help protect them."

"But you can't watch everyone at all times." Esther added. "Mika it's for their safety."

I was quiet as the information overtook and overwhelmed my mind. I wanted to know Elijah was safe, but I didn't want to leave him.

"Ayanna may I have something to write with?"

Ayanna left the room for a moment and came back a moment later with a piece of parchment and an ink quill. I took the pen and paper and began to write.

My Dearest Elijah

I hope one day you can forgive me for leaving, but I felt I was doing what was best for you. We will be together one day, and will have an eternity to make up for this lost time. Until that day come know that I will always love you in this life and the next.

Forever and Always

Mika

"Will you give this to Elijah when the time is right?"

"I will guard it with my life."

I left the small cottage and walked through the wood back to the tree that started this whole mess. I climbed onto the same branch from that night and sighed. I was so caught in thought that I didn't even notice Elijah walking towards me.

"We meet again." He greeted.

"Hello Elijah."

"Why so down?"

"No reason." I replied. "What are you doing out here?"

"My father sent me out to find my mother."

"I just spoke to her she is still with Ayanna." I replied. "But you are a long way from Ayanna's and the village."

"I suppose." He added. "Why don't you come down from there, I don't bite."

"But I do." I half teased half told the truth as I jumped from the tree.

I felt the scent from earlier once more, the wolves were near. I knew we couldn't make it to the village quick enough.

"Elijah it's not safe here."

"What do you mean we're alone?"

"The wolves are here." I continued. "We need to get to the caves."

We ran as fast as Elijah could and hurried into the caves, I prayed that the wolves were ignorant to our presents.

"How did you know they were out here?" Elijah questioned.

"I was walking and I stumble onto one of their meetings."

"Meetings?" He replied. "Meetings about what?"

"Killing you." My heightened emotions now getting the better of me.

"I'm not going anywhere."

He held my face in his hands and our eyes met. I longed to kiss him, but feared I would lose control. My heart screamed 'kiss him', but head screamed 'run'.

"I love you Mika."

Those three words were all I needed to hear to send me over the edge. I leaned in and parted his lips with my own. My hands tangled in his messy hair and his around my waist and neck.

"Elijah we…" I struggled to get the words out. "We can't."

"Says who?"

We continued our escapades, and I began to worry as I felt my body welcoming my other half. It took everything I had to suppress the beast within. My animalistic urges sunk in and before we knew it we were stripped of our clothing. My body quivered with excitement, I griped a nearby rock to steady myself as Elijah entered only to have it crumble in my hand.

"I love you Elijah."

I held back my tears knowing I would soon have to leave the man I loved, but I took joy in the fact this would be one of the last memories I would have of Elijah. Until the day we met again.