Love, Hate and Mistrust

Chapter Nine

As Elena's heart calmed and she tried to catch her bearings she was still reeling over what had just happened. She wanted to believe that he had compelled her without her knowledge; at least then she'd have a reasonable explanation for how she'd been feeling, for what...for who she'd been feeling for.

She refused to even let herself wonder if he'd merely been taunting her or if he'd been truly wanting to; as farfetched as the whole thing seemed coming out of the blue so suddenly she couldn't quite stamp out the feeling of disappointment. Shouldn't she be relieved?

When he'd stormed from the room with a grunted comment about food she was immediately reminded that his demeanour was very similar to that of the Beast from her favourite Disney fairytale and felt her lips curve in an amused smile thinking about how grouchy he'd seemed. She let her amusement fade when she thought of how just like Belle she was a prisoner in his home with no hopes of escape. The most important difference was that where Belle had a happy ending; Elena's ending would be her life.


"Ah, what is that?" Elena asked a short time later peering down at the tray Elijah had set next to her on the bed.

"Food" came a sharp, short retort. She'd clearly insulted him.

Elena gave him a sceptical gaze before picking up the fork and poking the 'food', she couldn't even bring herself to try a bite. She couldn't even think of a proper way to describe what she looking at but she was sure if she could it would have without a doubt included the words, inedible, jelly-like, wobbly, and slimy.

She took no time dropping the fork and shoving the tray as far away as possible before giving Elijah a probing stare.

At first he seemed a little flustered, and she had a suspicion that if he were capable of blushing he'd be pink all over. He managed to compose himself a little before giving her a heated glare. "What?" he demanded petulantly.

Elena purposefully counted to five, slowly, before answering, "Is this some attempt to kill me?" she asked with a straight face, "You've grown impatient and decided to poison me" she accused without a hint of anger or humour.

Elijah huffed letting out a long sigh and growling, barely resisting the urge to fling his hands in the air, "Don't be ridiculous" he growled.

Elena was amazed when she realised how much fun she felt baiting him, and even though he seemed frustrated she couldn't help but notice he wasn't truly angry. "Um, So what was it suppose to be?" she asked relaxing a little more on the bed.

Elijah frowned, "There was no label on the tin" he told her as he let himself settle into a chair a few feet away.

Elena couldn't help but notice how regal he looked when he sat, his every moment seemed to be precise and controlled making her wonder if he every relaxed.

"Wait?" Elena had to mentally shake her head to un-cloud her mind, "No label? Like not even an expiry date?" she asked with disbelief.

Elijah gave her a wary stare as if he'd heard warning bells, "The last event I can recall having had the need to be served food was in 1986" he recalled, "I'd invited a few of my neighbours over for supper" the obvious implication meaning he'd fed his neighbours who in turn had fed him.

"1986!" Elena repeated with shock, a look of disgust crossed her features and he found himself momentarily distracted by the look of rage and fury that flashed through her eyes as she let out a low very feral growl that he'd just managed to hear, "You tried to feed me something that's twenty-five years old?".

Elena resisted the urge to dry retch as she scrambled as best she could away from the 'food'.

"It's not exactly something I've ever needed to keep track of" Elijah protested as he felt shame flood him for appearing no better than an idiot. "I have not had the need nor hunger for food since I was turned centuries ago" he was almost proud of himself for the logic excuse he'd just gave.

"You have to be the worst kidnapper ever" she declared clearly exasperated. "I have no spare clothes that would actually fit me and now you're telling me I have to starve as well" she huffed. "Even the Beast fed Belle" she muttered under her breath not caring that he would of course hear her.

His spine stiffened as he heard her words, not only had she been insolent enough to insult him but now she compared him to a beast? If she were anyone else he would have punished them for such disrespect and yet although she was clearly irking him intentionally he didn't even feel the slightest anger towards her.

"If I recall I am not to blame for your ruined clothing" he reminded her with a almost cocky smirk, he allowed himself to inwardly chuckle when she gasped as if indignant before continuing, "And I think I can be forgiven for not preparing for your arrival as I 'd had no intention until you woke me this morning to bring you here" he allowed his back to relax slightly as he leant back in the chair; he could tell by Elena's facial expression that he'd won the argument and meteorically patted himself on the back for a job well done.

"You're right" Elena admitted softly after a quiet pause, but before Elijah could even have to chance to interrupt she gave him an almost playful defiant glare, "But, I believe we are both equally to blame for my clothes being ruined so I declare we're tied" she rushed out with strong conviction and gave him a look that dared him to protest.

If the chair Elijah had been sitting in had arm rests they would've been reduced to saw dust, as it was he clenched his fists and tried not to take the bait. After a moment of calm he gave her an all-knowing-superior smile and Elena knew he was up to something devious.

"As you are not a vampire, and in no way can you equal the control of composure and the ability to remain balanced upright with ease that I do, I concede that it can't be helped when you, whether inadvertently or not cause havoc and disaster wherever you venture" he murmured with a thin veil of humour, "You can't help that you're clumsy" he husked softly with delighted glee.

Even as Elena's mouth opened and closed, which she was fully aware must make her look like a goldfish; she couldn't even find words to voice in protest.

Clumsy?

Havoc and Disaster?

The last time she'd engaged in a battle of verbal insults had been just before she'd lost her parents. A twinge of pain squeezed her heart as it always did when she thought of them and after a moment's silence she forced the sad thoughts to the back of her mind determined not to lose focus. As much as she loathed to admit how vain and self-involved she'd been she had never been defeated when it came to verbal altercations with those that thought to judge her.

She smirked with barely suppressed mirth, "I guess being clumsy is just what I must suffer as a human" Elijah gave her a glare as she smiled almost friendly, "But I can't imagine how embarrassing it must be for you that you'd been snuck up on by a girl, I thought vampires were more aware" she sighed as if she was sympathizing with him, "Don't worry I'm sure it happens to all vampires at least once in their life, although I mean you are an original" she said with pity and a shake of her head.

Elijah gritted his teeth at the thinly veiled censure that dripped from her voice. The need to flee and break cups and plates made his fingers twitch. To feel like he was being scolded like a scatter-brained child for not paying attention made him seethe; and yet the excitement that coursed through him had nothing to do with anger or shame; even without a beating heart he felt as if the blood was heating through every vein warming him as never before, and he couldn't deny that it had everything to do with the beautiful fragile doppelganger who sat before him.


(Authors Note)

Im sorry for making you wait so long but my computer crashed so I had to re-write everything. Hope you liked this chapter and please reveiw.

Thanks