Chapter Seven

"I believe that will be enough." Nikolas said stepping out of the shadows.

"Someone looks well and here I was concerned about your injury."

"I'm sure you were Mr. Morgan," he said stepping between Jason and Elizabeth. Nikolas had been angry before but now he was furious. How dare this nobody threaten Elizabeth at all let alone on his property? He barely contained his anger long enough to ask her, "Shouldn't you be packing?"

"You were serious about that?" she asked half-surprised by his insistence. She should have known Nikolas wasn't playing with her. Elizabeth had to assume his talk with Steven went well.

"Elizabeth you know that I was. Go on Mr. Morgan and I need to have a little talk."

Her eyes slid from Nikolas to the blonde man before her. He was still filled with arrogance and Elizabeth almost felt bad for the man. Almost. She couldn't forget that he had been about to kill her. Elizabeth left quietly suddenly feeling the urge to speak with her brother.

"Now where were we?" Nikolas asked impatiently once they were all alone. "I remember you were about to explain a few things to me. Like the fact Courtney ordered you to kill Elizabeth."

Jason at least had to sense to look nervous about the situation. "Look it isn't what you think."

"I highly doubt that. I know all about you and about Sonny's illegal dealings but before tonight I didn't care."

Jason was stunned by the news. Nikolas had always appeared to be straight-laced and uptight. "You... you didn't?"

"Why would I? The Cassadine do not always operate on the right side of the law. I could even overlook your... private dealings with Courtney." Nickolas nearly laughed at the look on the other man's face. Clearly, he did not think anyone knew about their trysts when in truth nearly everyone did. It was something of a joke with his circle of friends. "What I won't tolerate is murder on my land. Unless of course I'm the one doing the killing."

"You? Nikolas I hate to be blunt but your a soft and to be honest weak. I doubt you have the stomach for violence."

"Is that so?" he chuckled menacingly. "Care to test your theory?"

"What do you mean?"

"My uncle warned you about this grove as did Elizabeth I am sure," he said pausing to build the tension. "You know the townspeople say a monster lives here."

"People can be stupid."

"I have to agree but they also happen to be right."

"If you're trying to scare me it won't work." Jason replied shaking his head. He wasn't worried about Nikolas. After all bigger and better men had tried to intimidate him. So far, none had succeeded.

"What a shame. Fear gives blood such an interesting taste," he said casually enjoying the way Jason's eyes widened. It seemed as if the man was finally getting a clue. The small amount of blood he had taken from Elizabeth earlier had just taken the edge off his hunger. Something he was reminded of by his lengthening fangs. Nikolas knew the moment Jason saw them. Fear consumed Jason's body and he immediately noticed. "I thought you weren't scared of me?"

"This must be some kind of trick. It can't be real. I've seen you go out during the day."

"Ahh. My little secret. Or rather the gypsy's secret." he said pulling out the small medallion necklace he always wore. "Elizabeth made this for me several years ago. Much like her grandmother made one for my uncle. It is the main reason why they camp here during the winter. Protection for protection."

Jason took several steps back trying to figure out a plan. No matter what Nikolas said, he was he dangerous. "I wasn't going to hurt Elizabeth I swear. Courtney needed to believe that I had is all."

"I don't believe you and even if I did... well you know my secret. I can't let you live."

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"He's going to kill Jason." Elizabeth said staring out the window. She hadn't been able to tear eyes away from where she left Nikolas. It was difficult to know what he was doing even more not to do anything. She hated Jason more than almost anyone but Elizabeth wasn't sure she wished the man dead.

"I know Elizabeth. What would you have me do? Stop him?" Steven asked scoffing at the idea. Very few people on this planet would get by with telling Nikolas no. In fact, Elizabeth might be the only one. Which was probably one of the reasons he sent her away. The other of course was the carnage he was about to cause.

"I doubt Nikolas is in the mood to listen to reason."

"You're right about that. He's furious and I can't blame him."

"Men." she mumbled gathering up most of her art supplies. Part of her still couldn't believe Nikolas was serious. It was as if all her dream were coming true at the same time. The problem was she scared it was just that. A dream. "Steven are you okay with this?"

"Honestly, I don't know. I know how much you love Nikolas and I remember how things used to be between the two of you."

"But?"

"But... he ran away the last time the two of you got this close."

Elizabeth bit her lip nervously. She couldn't deny Steven was partially right. "Do you think he'll run again?"

"Before all this maybe but he's changed the last few days. Nikolas saw Jason grab you and I think it woke him up to some things."

"He wants to marry me."

"I know Lizzie. He asked for my blessing earlier."

"Did u give it?"

"Yeah. Not that saying no would have stopped him." Steven joked before growing serious. "You know I'm happy for u right?"

"I know Steven."

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It was nearly dawn by the time Nikolas returned to his bed. After taking care of Jason, he moved on to Courtney. He had at one point been willing to allow the girl to live. After all, she meant little to him but Jason had of course changed all that. Now none of the people would accompanied him would ever leave Wyndemere. Not that anyone would be aware of that fact.

His last task before coming to bed was sending out a coach. The driver was under strict orders and Nikolas fully expected them to be obeyed. In a day or two, he would receive word that the Corinthos siblings and Jason had been ambushed. Even though there would be no bodies, the authorities would soon conclude the three were dead. Just like, he planned.

He moved silently across the dark room not bothering to light a candle. With his extra abilities, he did not have much use for them anyways. It didn't mean he couldn't be surprised on occasion though.

Nikolas had been so preoccupied with his plan he hadn't noticed the dress lying across a chair. Or the art supplies scattered on the table. Or even the small brunette lying in his bed. Immediately everything else was forgotten. All he could think about was the fact Elizabeth was lying in his bed. She trusted him enough to follow his request. It was something a few days ago, he would have thought impossible.

Fighting back a yawn Nikolas stripped off his cloths. Despite the growing ache, he felt he knew he didn't have the time. Nikolas planned to get a few hours sleep before his wedding. Father Coats was expected just after breakfast. As he drifted off, he briefly wondered if he should have told Elizabeth. Perhaps but he knew she would eventually forgive him. After all, he planned for their marriage to last forever.

~THE END~