Note: I hope you don't mind this one being much longer than the rest. Enjoy, and reviews are always welcomed! Also, I deleted my Elijah chapter-It wasn't what I wanted, but I do plan on starting a new Elijah story soon. I rather give you guys something worth reading than something half done!
Needless to say I wasn't talking to anyone I actually knew. I was raging at Damon and Alaric more than anyone for keeping all these secrets from me, and my anger was also for my siblings—or rather, two people I just lived in the house with.
I had a day to myself in which I had ignored every text and phone call I had gotten after Klaus and Elijah had left my house. I had stayed in my room, not coming out at all to talk or to eat. Which, in reality worked out better for me considering it was probably better for my esteem or self destruction if I didn't eat; I just wasn't sure which.
All of Saturday, I had thought and wondered about my life, about the lies I had been told and perhaps it was because of these lies that I had always felt so uncomfortable with myself. I wasn't about to go on some glory trip and blame my self destruction on the Nephilim inside of me—but honestly speaking, part of it, maybe was that. I had to wonder if my self-conscious was at work here. My thoughts wavered so far on those lines that I began to think about people who are stuck in the wrong bodies. Girls who want to be boys or boys who want to be girls. Then I realized that the word "want" was such a loose term. They didn't want to be anything, it was a need. All this time, all the starving and the cutting, maybe I needed to know who I was this entire time.
Or maybe I was just looking for an excuse.
Either way, my anger didn't waver an inch, not even once the Mikaelson ball came on Sunday night. The fact that I had figured out Damon had actually compelled me to stop cutting—I had put two and two together—both touched me and angered me. I wasn't exactly fond of other people making my decisions for me, regardless that they were most likely the best decisions. Another voice in my head, the annoying one that I liked to push away more often than not told me to suck it up and realize that all Damon did was love me. Granted, I had always loved him more, but that was of my own choice.
Besides, the voice continued, there was Kol now.
Kol.
What the fuck was I supposed to do about Kol?
Truth was I came up with no plan. My undying anger seemed to consume my body like a fire inside me. I planned on dealing with Kol once that horrible moment would present itself face to face with me. if I was smart, I'd probably stay away from the vampire that only wanted me for my blood, but like I said, I am not exactly known for my awesome decision making skills.
So, that Sunday night, I sat in the back seat of Elena's car, dressed and ready. No one was talking so the horrible awkward silence was definitely called for. I was thankful that Jeremy had taken the front seat and that Damon and Stefan were meeting us there.
Naturally, Elena looked beautiful beyond all reason to the point of disbelief. I shouldn't have been as shocked as I was, but really, how this girl managed to look so flawless was beyond my comprehension.
Although, I had to admit, of all the times I had gotten up in the morning and dressed myself, tonight was not one of the bad nights. My dress was old fashioned looking but somehow modern at the same time, sleek—red and black, corset style. Around my neck was a black tight necklace that I had attached to my ruby that had vervain in it. According to Elena, after further questioning, I had been right in knowing that the ruby was not an amulet. However, when it was being made, it was done with vervain. So in its own way, the vervain was inside it.
"Alright," Elena murmured as she parked the car. "Let's get this night over with."
Her excitement nearly knocked me off my feet. I got out of the car, being sure not to fall over in the heels I rarely wore. Groups of people, what looked like the whole town was coming to the ball. They were all filing in to the house which had been lavishly decorated.
The moment Elena walked in, Stefan and Damon had each claimed one arm. I wasn't the least bit surprised, and I had immediately lost Jeremy which was also not part of my plan. I looked over to the left, which much to my astonishment Klaus was talking with Caroline.
Now, I didn't know much about Caroline—except that by a turn of recent events she had been changed into a vampire. What I had known, despite us not being close friends in the slightest, was that she was dating Tyler Lockwood, and as far as I had known, they hadn't broken up. Yet, Tyler wasn't anywhere to be seen.
So, I made my way over to the table that looked like it was serving drinks. I definitely needed one. Jenna and Alaric weren't here as chaperones, and with Elena looking flawless Damon would pay no attention to me.
"Pardon," said a voice I knew all too well. "But aren't you a little young to be drinking?"
I stopped midway in pouring my glass of fine champagne and turned to look at Kol Mikaelson. I had to take a moment to myself, not to think about a sarcastic comment, but to try and refrain from throwing myself at him.
He looked...well, there was no nice way of putting it—he looked damn fuckable.
His hair was perfection, standing up in a way of elegance that looked like it hadn't even been touched with products. He wore an impeccable, expensive suit with a bow tie—very James Bond of him. His dark eyes were smouldering, and despite the fact that I was sure he knew I was angry with him, he was smiling nonetheless. I shouldn't have expected otherwise, after all, this was Kol.
"Aren't you a little old to be hitting on me?" I shot back, grabbing my glass and turning around.
"I've always liked younger girls." He didn't turn with me, he chose to look at my profile. "I'm glad you came, you look simply ravishing."
"I didn't come for you." I said, much too quickly.
He laughed. "Oh I'm sure you did Lana, let's not kid ourselves. You wish to interrogate me, I'm not stupid."
"Good one."
"You should be nicer to me," he stepped in front of me, he was so tall. "I am your dance partner after all." He winked at me. "I'll be right back."
I watched him walk away, partially stunned by how quick he was at anticipating me. Surely I wasn't that obvious that I was only here to get some answers. I frowned and tried to follow him, but stopped near the Salvatores once I saw that Kol was joining his siblings on the grand steps of the Mikaelson manor. The railings of the staircase were decorated with beautiful lights, making the Original Vampires seem like Angels.
A woman came down the stairs at the exact moment each sibling stood on the steps. She was older than all of them. This, I thought quickly, definitely had to be their mother. Naturally, she was gorgeous.
"Welcome," Elijah said looking like a King. "Thank you for joining us...you know, whenever my mother brings our family together like this, its tradition for us to commence the evening with a dance. Tonight's pick is a centuries old waltz, so if all of you could please find yourselves a partner, please join us in the ballroom."
I sighed, watching people disperse—Damon making a grab for Elena, and Kol gracefully moving to the crowd, avoiding Damon's glare before reaching me. He put out his hand and waited for me to place mine in his.
"Come on Angel." He grinned, his eyes sparkling like the Devil. I couldn't help smiling; the reference finally made sense to me.
I put my hand in his, wishing I had chosen to wear gloves like Caroline had. Since I didn't, the rush of electricity I got from his fingers swept through my body. I tried to remain calm as he wound our arms together, leading me to the ballroom where we commenced our dance.
As we stood in line, I avoided Damon and Elena's gaze once the dance began. Caroline however, sent me a weary glance as if she was saying don't worry, I'm right there with you. I smiled at her softly as she crossed over with Klaus, Kol and I taking the same, constructed dance steps that everyone else was.
"So," Kol said as we began to dance face to face. "What do you wish to know?"
"I rather not discuss this here, in a room full of ears." I said with dignity. "Especially since I'm trying to concentrate on not making a fool of myself."
"Don't be ridiculous," he smiled. "You dance beautifully."
"Not as well as you." I said bitterly.
"Well darling let's be honest, there's a many of things I'm greater at. I've been alive long enough to learn a thing or two." He laughed, twirling me. "You know," he said slowly. "My mother was up on the staircase with me."
"I figured." I said honestly. "She's very pretty."
"She wishes to meet you." he said suddenly. "Preferably before you and I have our little chat."
"Oh," I said, completely caught off guard. "All right, when?"
"When the dance is over, I presume." He grinned again, returning to his playful side. "You know, I know you won't believe me, but my interests in you have changed considerably."
"You're right, I don't believe you."
"Oh?" he raised an eyebrow. "Then tell me Angel, why have I not already drained you of your blood if my intentions were not pure?"
"You tell me," I murmured, lowering my voice. "I told you I don't want to talk about this here."
"Well I do," he said seriously. "I have a feeling that when we are alone you'll get a little out of hand with your words, and perhaps I, in turn will get a little too angry."
"Is that your fatal flaw then?" I asked immediately, not being able to restrain myself. "Damon said that vampires have heightened emotions. Is yours anger?"
"No, my flaw is my recklessness. I do what I want, when I want and don't give a damn about the rest of it," he tilted his head lightly. "I suppose you could say that's what brought me here. It seems however, that my years of killings have finally caught up with me, and as it turns out I cannot kill the one person I had wanted to kill the most."
So I was right, I thought immediately. All this, all the sweet chats, the kisses, it was all for my blood. All Kol wanted was whatever protection my blood would give to him. My heart sank deep to my stomach; even though I had expected the answer, I was broken.
That was all I had needed to hear. Thankfully, the music had ended at the same moment by a gift from the heavens. So my walking away from Kol in a hurry did not seem all that peculiar. Although, perhaps the tear that cascaded down my face was a small clue.
To my great surprise, it was not Damon or Elena who had intervened in my running off, but another Mikaelson. The strong hand of Elijah gripped my elbow. Klaus was by his side, and Caroline was only a foot behind him.
"What did he do?" Klaus hissed, looking angry beyond all reason.
"Nothing," I said quickly. I did not want to cause the family feud.
Elijah turned to Klaus and said quickly, "Go about your business. Leave Kol be. I will take Lana to mother." The King offered me his arm and I wound mine through his. Somehow, around Elijah it was easy to forget I was with a vampire.
As we walked up the stairs I couldn't help but turn my head a little to marvel at him. He was impossibly beautiful. I knew, that this man's outside appearance reflected what was on the inside.
"You are very kind." I murmured. "More than the rest of them."
Elijah smiled kindly at me as we reached the top floor. "I am a man of honor Lana. I wish to give you all of the truth that you seek, even about my brother." He knocked on a door three times before kissing my hand gently.
I grinned as he walked away when the door opened, revealing the Mikaelson mother.
"Welcome," she said with a bare trace of a smile. She stepped aside to allow me to enter. "Come in."
I did as was told and took a seat on the couch, desperate for the need to rest my feet. She sat across from me, looking like she had stepped out of a magazine.
"Lana Gilbert." The woman said. "I am Esther Mikaelson, head of this family."
I nodded my head. "It's a pleasure to meet you." I said honestly. She seemed very serene. "I must ask, why did you want to see me?"
"Straight to the point," Esther smiled. "I wanted to see the only Nephilim in front of me, or at least, the only Nephilim we have found. What my children say to me is one thing, seeing it in front of me is another. I thought it was important to share my part of the story with you about my son Kol."
"Oh," I slumped my shoulders. I should have known this wouldn't be a happy trip.
"You know," she stood up and began to pace around the room. "Originally, we were all going to let him kill you."
"Lucky me."
"The plan was to lie low, get you cornered, and then I agreed with Kol that he could have his way with you. It was Elijah and Klaus who suggested otherwise. Rebekah too, but mostly for her own selfish reasons in the beginning—you see, my daughter misses her humanity. High school for her is the best thing in the world."
"Why didn't Elijah and Klaus want my death?"
"Well, I was told Klaus told you the truth of his reasoning. He has a special spot for hybrids. As for Elijah, he, Klaus and Rebekah are their own threesome inside this family. They traveled together away from us for centuries, and Elijah would not betray his brothers. His morals are too high for such things. Whatever Klaus wanted, Elijah would do his best to deliver. Yet, Klaus treats Elijah like a master." She smiled fondly. "It's an interesting relationship, those two. Of course, Kol, does what he wishes and doesn't think of the consequences, which is why he enrolled in the school. What he did not count on was the feelings he would develop towards you."
"Mother—" Kol's sudden voice surprised me and made me jump. My heart which had been beating furiously fast at all this sudden information only quickened further when I looked around in the doorway. He stood there, his humor gone, looking a little frayed. "I would prefer if I discussed this with Lana."
Esther however, ignored him. "Why are you dirty?"
"Got into a little spat with Damon Salvatore." He muttered, closing the subject. "Some privacy mother?"
Esther nodded and left us quickly. Kol shut the door while I stared furiously at the couch in front of me. The situation right now was entirely different from downstairs in the ballroom. At least there had been people there. Here, I was vulnerable.
"Is it true?" I closed my eyes as she spoke, not bearing to see what expression he would wear with his answer. "Is it true what she says? That your feelings have changed?"
"Well," I only heard his words and his footsteps, still keeping my eyes shut. "I tried to tell you that downstairs before you made your grand entrance, which by the way is the reason why Damon and I got into our little fallout—but alas," I heard him sit on the couch opposite me. "It was too be expected I suppose. You can open your eyes Angel."
I did, and was glad that he had chosen the couch across me. "What made you change your mind?" I murmured.
"Those scars." He looked at my exposed wrists. "When my mind caught the tenor of yours the moment blood was spilt, back when I was in Switzerland, I had not known the cause. It is a weird sensor that connects a vampire to the Angel blood, but it is there nonetheless. However, I am not psychic or telepathic, I had not known how the blood had spilt. So when I came to Mystic falls, I followed your scent to Alaric's classroom, knowing very well I was in the wrong class. I could have killed you then, but chose to wait. Seeing you for the moment was enough. I'd have plenty of other times to kill you. then, when we bumped into each other, I saw your scars, and when I realized why I had been drawn here in the first place—your blood suddenly became much more important than before, but not for the same reasons." Kol was so serious now that it made me scared. I wasn't used to so much truth coming out all at once. "I immediately wanted to help you." he said slowly, his eyes refusing to look away from me. "Unlike most vampires, I do believe in a God, and in this belief I feel it my duty to help those who do not have the power to help themselves."
"So I'm just a broken toy." I hadn't known tears were flowing—Christ almighty, what was with me crying. How pathetic I thought. "A broken, hybrid orphan."
"No," he said getting up. He walked over quickly and sat next to me, taking my hand and kissing it firmly. "You are beautiful, and kind. You are a temptation to me, yes," he admitted with sorrow. "But resisting you will be my greatest challenge and my greatest success. You Angel, are my redemption, and if you will let me, I will be your savior."
I couldn't help myself then. Breaking apart completely, I leaned in to kiss Kol's lips, holding him so close—we kissed like we were dying.
