Sorry for the long wait! I have been abroad for the past few weeks but I am back now and I have updated! Hope you like it and drop a review if you do :)
When Elijah and I returned to the ballroom, it felt as if a slight weight had been lifted off my chest. It was almost like a relief. Revealing to him that I was not fully mortal, that I was running from someone, had become a burden which I had carried around by myself for years.
My past had always been the reason why I never truly wanted to get close to people and it was the code I lived by. If there was no one to care about me, then there was no collateral damage. My naivety when it came to trusting the wrong people had led me to the life I led today.
I had paid the price but I learned from my mistakes. Don't get close to anyone and never trust anyone. It was safer that way.
Safer... but not free. That was the compromise. I guess whilst living a life of internal solitude, the loneliness had started to seep through the cracks and unable to take it, I found myself back in Mystic Falls.
Coming home had been quite the risk on my behalf, I knew that but the draw to return had been flaring up for quite some time.
Maybe it was selfish of me but I just wanted to feel anything apart from the constant fear and paranoia which followed me around like a shadow upon my life.
And for the past couple of days, it had worked. Seeing the people whom I had grown up with, being around my friends and family... it made me happy.
That was an emotion I had not felt for a long time. I had almost forgotten what true happiness felt like but once the initial joy wore off, the fear came hurtling back like a battering ram. Reminding me I would never truly find a home in Mystic Falls.
But for this one week I would. This one week, I would enjoy the pure bliss of freedom before I disappeared, once again leaving behind my friends and family in the dust. Goodbye was going to be so hard... to some more than others.
Sneaking a side glance at the man beside me, my expression automatically softened as I drank in his features.
Elijah Mikaelson was a man of complete aristocracy; from his casual stance to his ancient orbs which told me the stories of a thousand years past. He must have seen so much in his lifetime.
What must it have felt like to watch as cities rose and crumbled into dust? To experience the expansion of civilisations which would either thrive or die throughout the passage of time? Everyone eventually died in the end and one day, my time would also come.
Everyone dies... everyone except him. Whilst we became ashes in the wind, he and his family would live on. Like indestructible Gods.
Because the original vampires had lived for centuries, many would think they would be virtually immune to death's cold hands but that was not the case. Every being had a weakness.
The very thought that Elijah Mikaelson could be destructible petrified me but why? What was this draw I felt towards the noble original? I hardly knew him and yet being around him made me realise what it was like to truly feel alive.
Alive enough to make me want to unravel my tightly knotted string of secrets which I had succeeded in keeping close... until now.
Yes, I had opened up to him and yes I had been vague about the situation but he had gotten more out of me than my own sister had since I returned home. When he offered his assistance in protecting me, why did I feel equal amounts of terror and relief at the prospect?
As I carefully scrutinised the subject of my thoughts, I could instantly tell that despite his cool composure, the slight stiffening of his shoulders and the way he flexed his hand slightly before placing it in his pocket, told me that he was on guard.
And I knew why which brought me right back to my internal game of quick fire questions. Elijah had trusted me enough to let me in on his suspicions about his mother's intentions. What was it that made us want to trust each other more than our own flesh and blood?
As if sensing my stare, Elijah's head tilted to the side, his lips quirking up slightly and I paused in my tracks as his fingertips lightly brushed up against my knuckles.
Whether accidental or on purpose, I had no idea but either way, my skin flared at the touch.
Whatever questions I had would have to be put on hold for now as the one certainty ran through my mind. Whatever the answers were, I knew that the dapper suit-wearing Original would end up being the life or death of me and that didn't even bother me in the slightest.
Averting my gaze quickly from his heated one and swiping my tongue over my lower lip which had become incredibly dry, I searched the room for any kind of distraction. Or a drink.
Preferably something alcoholic...
It didn't take long for me to spot Elena standing within the crowd. She had swiped up a glass from a passing waiter with a gratuitous smile but for a moment, something about the entire scene didn't sit right with me.
It could have been my paranoia rising or Elijah's guarded position which was rubbing off on me but for a second I could have sworn that her fingers around the glass had trembled. My eyes narrowed as I examined her more carefully.
She was taking a measured sip from her glass as she serenely gazed around with a small smile on her face. Nothing looked out of the ordinary. Her reaction must have been a trick of the light from the chandelier above but I wasn't going to let one of the only answers I would get tonight pass me by.
Esther had requested to meet up with her and I had to know if whatever went on between them was anything for me to worry about. After all, my sister had let slip that the original witch had initially tried to kill her.
I truly hoped that whatever Elena had talked to Esther about hadn't compromised her safety.
From Elijah's suspicions and his now darting glances towards her, I doubted that he would let the opportunity to talk to Elena slide, especially when she was no longer being flanked by the Salvatore sandwich.
This opportunity wouldn't last long so I smoothly slipped my hand into his larger one before I gave myself time to think. His fingers automatically intertwined around mine causing me to smile slightly at the warmth of the contact.
A slight tug on my end was all it took for him to oblige to my demands and he easily fell into step beside me as we made our way across the ballroom towards her.
"Hey Elena," I called out softly when we were within the proximity to be heard.
Elena spun round, smiling when she saw me but it faded into worry as her gaze drifted down, pausing at the sight of my hand interlocked with Elijah's.
An unidentified emotion seemed to flit across her face before her eyes flicked back to mine with a strained smile. "Oh, hey Soph."
She shifted awkwardly as she nodded at Elijah's presence then her attention drifted back towards our hands once more. Worry started to play in the back of my mind. My sister respected Elijah but it hadn't even occurred to me that she may not approve of whatever this thing was which was going on with me and him.
My hand twitched at the thought and noticing my sudden tenseness, Elijah tightened his hand over mine and used it to pull me closer; his thumb tracing gentle circles against my palm.
Any doubts I had slowly began to dissipate into the air. Elijah had earned my sister's trust over and over. The only reservations she would have against our strange closeness would be to do with his family.
Klaus had been one of the main triggers which had forced her life on the firing line. The original hybrid had torn apart what was left of our family. He had terrorised her life, he had terrorised our friends' lives and he revelled in the power of authority which that gave him.
Seeing me with his brother would be an initial blow to the gut but my sister would get over it. After all, Elijah had no part as a perpetrator in his brother's schemes. His honourable nature would eventually win out with Elena. She just needed time to process.
"Elijah told me about your little rendezvous with Esther," I casually stated, providing her with a vague explanation as to why the two of us were together in the first place whilst at the same time, letting her know of my disapproval.
She went in there alone and despite my willingness to support her new-found sense of independence, a part of me felt slightly miffed that she hadn't even decided on letting me know when she was going.
When Elena winced at my words, I knew she had caught on. She jerked her head up. "I was going to find you but there wasn't enough time," she responded quickly, her face pleading with me to forgive her. When I stayed silent, Elena persisted, "I wasn't alone, the whole time Stefan was waiting for me."
That explanation did not even begin to placate me. Although the Salvatore brothers were equipped to protect her, they wouldn't stand a chance against an a thousand year old witch. Elena had been lucky in her recklessness and I didn't miss the fact that only one brother had been mentioned during her persistence to make me understand.
As if sensing my distress, Elijah's hand left mine but before I could begin to fathom why, he casually brushed my hair to the side and curled his hand around the nape of my neck.
My face involuntarily flushed at the contact; my body hyper aware of the heat radiating from his hand.
"Where are your Salvatore's? I must admit, I am surprised they left you here unattended," he questioned her and I jolted, only just hiding in a shiver as his nails ever so subtly scraped over my skin.
Since our talk he was clearly becoming more and more confident in these touches. They were almost teasing, testing the boundaries of my restraint and it took everything I had to not arch my neck and give in to his silent demand for surrender.
Oblivious to our interaction, Elena flinched, refusing to meet his gaze. "Damon's kind of... indisposed. He wasn't quite on board with the whole plan. Stefan is watching over him now," was her reply as she downed the rest of her glass and I didn't know whether to feel amused or worried at that.
Although the raven haired vampire probably got his neck snapped on a daily basis for being an aggravating prick, this time, I had to reluctantly admit that he was one of the only ones who had Elena's best interests at heart.
Because the truth had been undeniably clear since I first saw him interact with my sister. Damon Salvatore was undeniably in love with Elena and that put her in a precarious situation. She had to be careful with which Salvatore she let down.
Strong feelings for someone could drive some people to do terrible things.
When Elena lowered her arm, the glass hanging in her limp grip, I noticed it again. Something wasn't right. There was a slight quiver in her hand once more before she tightened her grip over the glass, her knuckles chalk white. Her eyes were darting around the room nervously, as if she was looking for someone... or avoiding them.
The last reason hit me hard and furrowing my eyebrows, I raised two fingers and beckoned her forwards. Elena knew me enough to know that it was best not to argue and she reluctantly moved forward one step.
That wasn't enough. Something had my sister worried or scared and if it had anything to do with Esther, the woman would learn what fear looked like. Eyes narrowing, I stepped forward, Elijah's touch falling away as I closed the distance between my sister.
Placing a hand on her arm and gently removing the drink from her hand before the delicate glass smashed from the amount of pressure she was clutching it with, I lowered my voice to a whisper. My tone was loud enough for the Elijah to hear but quiet enough for any guest to pass it off as a normal sibling conversation without any suspicions. "
You're trembling," I whispered, trying to catch her gaze but failing miserably. Not allowing that to deter me I pressed on harder. "Is it to do with Esther? What did she say to you?"
From behind me I felt Elijah step closer to us as we intently waited for Elena to speak. She looked around the ballroom once more and took in a deep breath before smiling at me.
"I'm fine Soph. Really, I am," she replied before adding, "I did what I thought was best when I went to see Esther but Damon couldn't find it in himself to respect my decision."
"Is it so wrong for him to care for you?" I mused out loud and Elena sighed, pinching a loose strand of hair between her fingers and tucking it impatiently behind her ear.
I think that's the problem. He cares too much," she snapped before quickly apologising. I just nodded shortly in response and swallowed. If she was acting like this with me, what was it going to be like when Damon replaced my role in this conversation? I truly hoped that she would take time to think this through with a clear head.
"If that's the case then prove to me that he wasn't right in trying to protect you from her," I stated which caused her to look at me but her lips were pressed in a thin line. When she declined to answer, I began to softly press. "What happened in there?"
From beside me, I felt Elijah lean ever so slightly forwards. The two of us prepared to listen intently to the following words which were about to come out of her mouth. We needed to be prepared. In case the witch tried to act.
"She just apologised for trying to have me killed," Elena finally replied before turning to finally address Elijah with a small smile. "She's a little intense."
"She usually gives off that impression," Elijah replied but he looked confused. Suffice to say, I felt the same. Nothing about the situation was sitting right with me.
Esther had gone through a lot of trouble to get a private chat with Elena and all she wanted to do was hand out an apology? Something else had to be going on. Something which my sister wasn't aware of. The woman had been resurrected for a reason and I doubted it was so she could play happy families.
"That's all she said?" I questioned sceptically, looking into Elena's eyes but all that stared back at me were chocolate orbs full of calm.
"That's everything. All she wants is for you and your siblings to be a family again." She directed the last part of the sentence at Elijah.
"So it's true then? She's forgiven Klaus?" he enquired with furrowed eyebrows, watching her intently for any indiscretion.
"It's true," she replied with another small smile.
Elijah stared at her for a few moments, his eyes narrowing slightly as he scrutinised my sister for any traces of deceit. The next few seconds which passed by could only be classified as tense before he finally nodded in acceptance.
A breath escaped my parted lips. He didn't believe her but neither did he press the matter further and truth be told, I was glad he didn't. He was giving me reason to doubt my sister. I came back to rebuild the trust between us, not tear it back down to the foundations.
In all the time I had known her, Elena had always followed in my footsteps to be selfless. If that was what had happened between her and Esther, then I owed it to her to give her the benefit of the doubt.
A sound of a spoon clinking against a glass immediately broke through the chatter. Everyone stilled and with movements which were all perfectly synchronised, they turned their heads to the left.
My attention was forced away from the interrogation of my sister as I rested my gaze on the woman, who at the moment was the root of all my problems.
From beside me, I felt Elijah shift. I rested the palm of my hand lightly against his arm, perplexed as he automatically relaxed and leant into my touch. His dark eyes snapped to mine and my breathing hitched as his pupils began to dilate.
The look in those pitch black depths spoke of a raw promise that this thing between us was only just beginning. I never understood how someone could just radiate power by presence alone but there it was, swirling beneath the depths of his oak orbs.
Although we had acknowledged the connection between us, I was beginning to wonder how the hell I was going to handle a predominant male like Elijah Mikaelson.
The dark intensity of his stare stopped all formation of rational thought and my hand quickly dropped back to my side before I did something spontaneous which I could come to regret. Now was not the time.
His eyes closed briefly before snapping open to reveal a sharp and hardened gaze as he focused back on his mother.
Esther Mikaelson smiled as she stood proudly at the top of the staircase, looking down at all her invited guests. Whilst everyone else smiled back at her, I couldn't bring myself to do anything except narrow my eyes into slits. For now the witch had almost everyone fooled but something inside me saw her for what she truly was.
There was menace behind that smile. An icy coldness surrounded her. She reminded me of a viper. Waiting for the opportune moment to strike.
"Good evening everyone," she announced, her voice carrying strong throughout the room. "Waiters are coming around with champagne."
I watched Elijah take two from the platter and handed one over to me. I smiled as I accepted it, taking great care in not brushing my skin against his this time. At this point I honestly did not know how much more I could take until I caved.
"I'd like you all to join me in raising a glass. It provides me with no greater joy than to see my family back together as one. I'd like to thank you all for being part of this spectacular evening." She paused and her lips tilted up as she surveyed us. "Cheers."
There was a collective murmur of response as everyone took a sip from their glass. I turned back to face Elijah to find his attention already on me.
"Cheers," we murmured as our glasses clinked together and as one we both took a sip. As the liquid swirled around my tongue, I screwed up my face slightly. Normally a person to enjoy a drink on occasion, I was surprised that this champagne wasn't something which was to my liking.
Trying to distract myself from a possible embarrassment in the form of my gag reflex, my attention subconsciously swayed back to Elijah. To idly concentrate on the sensual way in which his lips were wrapped around the glass rim.
For now I tried to not let it affect me but tonight would be a whole different matter. When I would be internally conjuring up multiple scenarios which were a lot less PG where those lips could be put to a much better use.
As if I was in a trance, I watched his tongue swipe across his lower lip, wetting the area as he brought the glass down and my throat went incredibly dry. Not willing to down the whole thing, I swallowed then lowered the glass. "Not going to lie, that was disgusting," I admitted.
Elijah let out a soft chuckle and the deep baritone went straight into my veins. My cheeks flushed but I quickly forced it down as he set our drinks aside and replied, "It does have a rather acquired taste."
The music started up again but this time, it played to a much slower tempo. My heart must have missed a beat as I watched couples begin to make their way to the centre of the ballroom before coming to a stop. They wrapped themselves around their partner in a position much more intimate than before.
Before I could even begin to come up with a discreet exit strategy, Elijah took a hold of my hand, trapping it in an inescapable grasp. "Come."
It wasn't a demand, more like a persuasion. A smile played at the edges of his lips as I debated my options but came up blank. The original knew all too well that I wouldn't decline.
I raised my eyebrows, chewing on my lip as I took in the undeniable closeness of every couple. "You sure you want to risk it?" Moreover did I want to risk it?
We had been playing on the edge of an inevitable abyss of desire since the original got un-daggered. The pull was getting harder and harder to resist. And I wasn't sure I even wanted to anymore. This could be dangerous. For both him and I.
Despite my obvious reluctance, the smile stayed on his face. Unwilling to be deferred as he replied, "You won't humiliate yourself, I assure you."
Shaking my head, feeling the embarrassment from before creep up, I thought 'what the hell' and slowly nodded, knowing that my fate was quickly sealing. I was already in too deep, might as well sink the entire way.
Inhaling a deep breath to maintain any sense of composure I had remaining, I turned and glanced towards my sister. "You sure you're okay?" I enquired. A part of me was hoping for her to decline, for her to beg me to stay with her so I could get some space from the immortal who caused my body to flow with fire.
"Yeah, fine don't worry about me," Elena replied but it was half-hearted. "I need to find Damon anyway," she stated with a determined nod before squaring her shoulders and disappearing off into the crowd.
Not even wanting to be near her when that conversation went down I turned to Elijah and tightened my hand around his. My way of surrendering. The pull flared up once again, so much so that I didn't even notice my sister pause in her steps and turn round to watch us with confused and conflicted eyes as I allowed Elijah to lead me onto the ballroom floor.
A quick tug of my hand had me pulled into his arms. With a nervous anticipation, I hesitantly curled my arms around his neck, thankful that tonight I had decided to wear heels and he curved his hands over hips, bringing me closer. Close enough for me to feel the steady rise and fall of his chest, the pure heat radiating between us.
The music continued like a steady heartbeat and we danced, neither feeling the need to step away.
As each second passed, the tension in my body began to release and the more my body started to relax in his hold. As if noticing my sudden complete compliance, he began to slowly trail his fingertips up and down my spine.
His touch was so smooth and so light that I shivered and buried my head into the crevice of his neck. A plan quickly forming, I gave into the urge to run my fingers through his hair and subtly began to play with the strands at his nape.
He instantly stopped dancing at my ministrations and feeling strangely brave, I traced my nails lightly over his skin, caressing him in the exact same sensual way he did to me when we confronted my sister. His warm breath tickled my neck before there was quiet rumble of sound against my ear, a cross between a groan and a growl.
I bit my lip from hiding a smile. It felt strangely empowering to know first-hand that I affected him just as badly as he affected me. "Is something wrong?"
"You are testing my restraint, sweetheart," came the low murmur of a reply and a demanding pressure under my chin forced me to tilt my head up.
When I saw a face full of strain, when I could almost taste the raw desire emitting from his expression as he kept his hand gripped firmly around my jaw, I knew then and there that I was way in over my head. Our heads were mere centimetres apart. The connection between us hummed with wanton abandon.
"You were the one who said we had unfinished business," I whispered as I brought up a hand to gently rest against his cheek. His hand covered it and oak eyes darkened a shade as they hovered hungrily over my lips.
"That I did," he whispered. My knees trembled and a warm hand pressed solidly against my back, giving me no leeway to move away even if I wanted to as he leant forwards and dipped his head down.
My heart began to pound erratically as I came to realise how much I had been craving this since I first laid eyes on him. Of their own accord, my eyes fluttered closed and I instinctively arched my neck, craving to feel the sensation I knew I would feel when his lips finally took possession of my own.
"Hey – oh my god! Are we interrupting something?"
Like a band had suddenly snapped, I quickly pulled my head back with a sharp jerk and my eyes snapped open. Elena and Stefan were staring at us, shocked mouths agape but it was Caroline who had my immediate attention.
The bubbly blonde vampire was standing a little to the side, her arms crossed with a knowing smile covering her face as she tilted her head to the side and raised an eyebrow.
There was no way to even begin to justify this predicament. Nothing except the truth would be classed as believable at this point. My reaction to the Original would have already given it away.
Elijah closed his eyes briefly and I saw the flare of frustration pass over his face but by the time I had blinked, his expression was cool and composed. Yet I still caught his few give-aways from the clench of his jaw to the way his hand against my back flexed and as we stared at each other, I knew his thoughts were mirroring mine.
This wasn't over.
"How may we be of assistance?" Elijah asked with an exceptional forced calm as the two of us reluctantly turned to face them.
Caroline was the one who was brave enough to step forwards. Her bright smile faded quickly to be replaced with worry. "We can't find Matt."
I froze. Now they had my full attention. Reluctantly pulling away from Elijah, whose arms loosened to allow me to step away, I fell into a quick stride beside Caroline. My gaze darted rapidly around the room for any sign of the blonde quarterback but found nothing except crowds of strangers.
Stopping and rapidly turning round to face the three who stumbled to a halt, my eyes flitted between them, my voice was sharp as I asked, "Who was the last to see him?"
"I-" Caroline began but she was cut off as the sudden sound of a loud crash reverberated around the room.
Ice cold fear froze my veins and before any of the others could begin to react I was off, sprinting towards the sound as fast as I could in heels knowing the others would be following. This was exactly what I had been afraid of.
Matt Donovan. Kind, compassionate and very human Matt Donovan. If Rebekah had anything to do with this in the slightest after our silent understanding... I didn't even want to begin to think of what I would do if my anger took over...
If I fell out of control...
Flinging out my hands, the doors burst open and the night air wafted serenely around my face and through the unruly tresses which had fallen out of place in my haste to find my friend. What I stumbled upon however was not Matt Donovan.
Slowing down, I watched on in horror as the two figures fought.
Kol Mikaelson was flat out on his back snarling as a familiar raven haired man crouched over him. Damon grabbed the original's neck and with a sharp flick of his hands, a sickening crack pierced the air.
Kol's head snapped to the side at an odd nauseating angle. His body completely still. His chestnut eyes blank and unseeing.
"Damon, what the hell was that!" I yelled at him, hearing other footsteps hasten towards the scene. Surely the older Salvatore knew better than to pick a fight with a being much stronger than him? When Kol Mikaelson woke up he would be out for revenge and most importantly blood; Damon's.
The sound of the doors opening again diverted my attention and I craned my head back to see the rest of the Mikaelson family gathering with Elena and Caroline bringing up the rear. All the ones equipped with supernatural hearing must have honed in on the fight.
Stefan was the last to join and he forced his way past Klaus to survey the scene. "Are you crazy?" he exclaimed in horror as he took in Kol's limp body.
Damon panted as he glanced around, suddenly realising that he had an audience. His eyes were completely feral as he steadily straightened up and took a step back.
"Maybe a little," he replied a little breathlessly and then his eyes fixed solely on Elena with a look of complete disgust. "Far be it for me to cause a problem," he stated with a smirk.
I shook my head in exasperation, turned on my heel and weaved past the other originals, back into the mansion. It was obvious that Damon must have wanted a reason to lash out and Kol had been the perfect opportunity. But why attack Kol in the first place?
Making my way towards the grand staircase, I took the stairs two at a time until I came to the balcony which would have overlooked the fight. Damon would have pushed Kol off here and now I knew why.
A familiar figure was sagging against the wall and a sigh escaped my lips as I revelled in the relief that he was still alive. Although he looked okay, he seemed visibly shaken as he looked down.
Following his gaze, I zeroed in on his arm which was shaking viciously where he tried and failed to mask his pain. He made no move to acknowledge me as I tentatively made a move to approach him.
"Matt?" I said softly.
Matt laughed as he finally turned to face me. "It's funny you know," he stated before letting out another chuckle but this one seemed off... with an edge of disdain. I remained silent, knowing he needed to get this out. Matt continued, "You would think that after all this supernatural business I should have tried to get health insurance by now. But I can barely afford to pay the bills."
He trailed off and looked down at the floor bitterly, clutching his injured hand. Vampire blood would have easily healed it up but I knew that he would rather break his other hand than go to ask one for help. Especially when they were the reason his life was messed up to begin with.
The blue eyed human would suffer in silence, take in a breath and carry on without expecting any consolation. I wasn't going to allow that to happen. Not when I was able to do something about it.
In that moment, what he would think of me afterwards didn't even matter and before my thoughts caught up with my actions, I was already in front of my friend, gently reaching for his quivering hand.
"You don't need health insurance Matt," I whispered as I carefully examined where his bones were broken before enclosing his hand in both of my own.
"Sophie… what?" Matt questioned.
"Did you know," I cut him off vaguely as my eyes narrowed in to slits, the focus beginning to set in. My concentration reaching out to the particles beneath his flesh, coaxing them up into a frenzy. "That the body is mostly made up of water?"
Matt gaped at me in astonishment as I carefully released his hand and took a step back. Watching him with a smile as he experimentally clenched his fingers into a fist then relaxing them. There was no shaking, no clicking of broken bones, no nothing.
"I don't feel any pain," he exclaimed.
"That is the general idea," I muttered before turning on my heel and when I didn't hear the sound of footsteps following, I extended my arm behind me, my hand making a beckoning gesture. "Come on."
A rush of hurried footsteps was heard as Matt caught up before he slowed down and simply complied with following me in a stunned daze. The two of us made no attempt at a conversation. No words were needed at this point and I knew my friend would be completely lost in his thoughts by now.
When we both turned the corner to the staircase and out of sight, a figure stepped out of the shadows, her expression one of stark recognition and fear as she had observed the entire scene.
Not one second after we stepped foot back into the ballroom, the two of us were ambushed.
"Thank God, we've been looking for you for like forever," Caroline rushed the words out and Matt glanced sideways at me with furrowed brows. My eyes avoided his but I turned my head slightly to the right, then to the left. My sister and the blonde vampire were too distracted to notice the exchange.
"I went out to get some air. Sorry if I worried you," Matt hastily explained which caused Caroline to let out a loud scoff.
"Worried? We were so not worried."
I arched an eyebrow, remembering the way she made me the latest victim of cock-block.
"Really?" I drawled, deliberately roaming my gaze over her hair which seemed a lot more unkempt, to the perspiration of sweat coating her forehead.
Caroline turned from Matt to me and glared, daring me to attempt to contradict her. "Yes Sophie, so cut the sarcasm. We were not worried in the slightest."
"Not one bit," Elena finished off, nodding solemnly and Matt laughed at them.
Huffing, Caroline turned on her heel and stalked away into the dissipating crowd. My lips twitched at that and Elena half-heartedly shrugged before hurrying after her.
As soon as they were out of sight, there was a peaceful silence as Matt and I just stood there, side by side, watching the chatter and laughter of people who had obviously indulged in too much to drink.
Some were stumbling around without care in the world for dignity and stature, whilst others stood tall as they talked with a deliberate poshness to their tones, failing miserably to fit in with the etiquette of tonight's hosts.
A quiet gruff voice from beside me caused my surroundings to blur out of focus. "You need to tell them."
No I didn't. A mental voice inside my head replied and yet I didn't repeat the words out loud. It wasn't that easy.
Caroline may understand but I knew my sister. Her life had been ruined by the supernatural, she may not admit it out loud but it was the undeniable truth. If one more species was added to her growing list, I doubted she would be able to handle it. There was already copious amounts of drama which surrounded her and the Salvatore siblings as it was.
If she knew the supernatural was connected to my leaving, she would fall off the metaphorical edge upon which she had been teetering on for quite some time.
Instead of providing a direct answer, my eyes went out into the crowd, staring unseeingly as I asked, "Don't you have a shift at the grill to be getting to?" It was a deflection and it was rude but in the long term, it was for the best.
Either completely oblivious to my deflection or recognising it all too well, Matt smiled as he flexed his hand happily once more.
"I'll save you an absinthe or something stronger," he stated before straightening up and getting ready to leave. Before he could, my hand shot out, grabbing a hold of his arm.
Matt turned to face me and I opened my mouth to express my gratitude for him not saying anything. Instead he left the decision in my hands, knowing it wasn't his secret to tell. That meant more to me than he knew but I found that I couldn't bring my lips to form the words.
He nodded. No words were needed.
With a soft smile, he pulled away and strode out of the mansion. From within the thinning crowd, my eyes caught sight of Rebekah who had been watching after him, her face a picture of puzzlement and regret as she zeroed in on his hand.
I smiled slightly and turned away, deciding too that it was time to leave.
Before I even made a move towards the door, my plan was interrupted by an arm which swiftly encircled itself around my waist.
His palm splayed flat against my stomach as he easily drew my body back to press tightly against his suit-clad chest. His jaw brushed against my cheek as I heard the quiet voice, smooth and sensual at my ear. "I don't suppose you have something to do with Mr Donovan's mysteriously healed hand?"
Breath suddenly ragged, I tilted my head away from him. I needed to quell the intense desire which was rising rapidly in his presence. "I have no idea what you are talking about," I managed to reply.
"You certain about that?" His breath caressed my neck and this time I couldn't hold in my gasp as his lips brushed slowly across the shell of my ear.
When his thumb began to absentmindedly trace the underside of my breast, my legs began to quiver.
"Would you prefer to re-evaluate your answer?" he asked lowly, which was followed by a light sting as he nipped teasingly at my ear. I sagged into his hold, relying on his arm as my only support and he chuckled softly.
Suddenly he paused and the arms around me tightened. In a quick rush of air, he had spun me around to face him. The expression on his face told me that the game he had been playing with me had come to an end for now as he tilted his head to calmly look at someone behind me.
Craning my neck around, I followed his eyeline to see Esther surveying us through a narrowed gaze. Raising her hand, she curled two fingers, beckoning to him before turning away and disappearing from view.
Confliction appeared on Elijah's face and making his decision easier, I braced my hands on his shoulders and rose up to press my lips against his cheek before lightly trailing a path to his ear.
"Be careful," I whispered and as I was about to step away, his arms encircled my waist and pulled me close. Secure in the warmth of his hold, I allowed my eyes to close for a few seconds before stepping away.
"I meant every word I said tonight Sophia," Elijah said and I smiled sadly after him as he went to follow his mother. That's what I was worried about. Elijah Mikaelson - The noble brother who always stood by his word. It could very well be the death of him and that was something I would not allow.
Lost in my thoughts, I found myself making my way over to Caroline who smiled cheerfully when she saw me. "Soph, guess what? I'm your ride home."
I grinned as she linked my arm with hers. "Well isn't this my lucky day," I replied sarcastically, sending a small smirk in her direction as she flounced us out of the mansion and into the crisp evening chill. "Is my sister sharing in this moment of wonder?"
"She's hitched a ride with Stefan."
I groaned and lay my head against her shoulder. Fabulous. What the fuck was she thinking? Shooting Damon down and turning to Stefan not a second later for some sort of comfort. So much for her talk of a Salvatore free body guard. "I'm going to have to give them both the third degree aren't I?"
"Oh, I would love to see that," Caroline responded with a laugh.
My smirk widened as we walked towards the car. "Maybe I should carry out a test run with you and a certain original hybrid if you would like?"
Caroline paused; her hand resting on the car door before she shook her head and slid into the driver's seat. "No need, I'm with Tyler. No number of fancy bracelets and fancy drawings will change that."
She turned on the car as I slammed my side shut. When we didn't seem to be moving although the engine was obviously running, I turned to Caroline and braced myself at the mischievous smile on her face.
"Although... we could start with you and a certain original with an impeccable taste in suits. Were my eyes deceiving me but did we interrupt… a kiss?"
The side window suddenly became incredibly interesting and I chewed on the inside of my cheek, knowing that Caroline's open suggestion had caused my cheeks to flare.
Narrowing my eyes I muttered half-heartedly, "Shut up."
Caroline laughed. "And there's that denial. There was so much sexual tension I really thought the two of you were about to dry hump on the ballroom floor!"
She continued to laugh to herself and despite my embarrassment, a reluctant grin spread across my face.
As I watched the surroundings pass me by as we sped down the road, I knew that what she was implying was true no matter how hard I tried to deny it. I was well on my way to falling for Elijah Mikaelson.
The door flew open to Esther's study, crashing against the wall with a loud bang as the original witch walked into the room seething.
Sensing her son approaching from behind, she whipped around, the magic around her crackling dangerously before she reined it in. Elijah was the most suspicious of her intentions. She wasn't about to give her son another reason to be wary of her. Not when she was so close to succeeding in her plans.
"No violence that was all I asked. Rebekah and Kol disgraced our family tonight!"
Her son, immune to her ire, just raised a calming hand. "It won't happen again mother. I'll deal with them."
Esther sighed, the anger evaporating to leave a small dose of regret. Only small. Nothing more. "Thank you, Elijah. I wish the others were more like you."
She reached out to cup her son's cheek. He froze for a moment before he placed his hand atop of hers. The original witch watched her immortal son closely as she steadily spoke her next sentence. "I observed your apparent closeness with the doppelganger's sister tonight."
When he tensed, she carried on as if she hadn't noticed. "I'm happy for you my son. You have been alone for so long."
And somewhere deep down inside of her, she was happy for him. Maybe in another lifetime her son and his woman may have worked it out but she wouldn't allow it. Elijah may be honourable but he was still a monster.
And monsters couldn't be allowed to live.
Elijah relaxed at her words but Esther was no fool. From now on she had to make her moves more carefully. The full moon was almost upon them. Not long now. Elijah stepped backwards and Esther's hand fell from his cheek.
"Thank you mother," he said with a soft smile which Esther forced herself to return.
As mother watched son leave the room, he only hesitated once to briefly meet the eyes of his older brother who was lingering by the door.
Finn Mikaelson watched Elijah like a hawk until he had disappeared out of sight. The eldest Mikaelson then swiftly stepped further into the room and closed the doors with a sharp slam. "Are we alright to speak freely?" he enquired.
Esther crossed the room to pull out a sheet of parchment from one of her desk draws. Once she was sitting down at the table she replied, "Yes. The sage still burns."
Picking up a pen, the room was silent apart from the sharp scratches of ink against paper as she wrote furiously in runic. This had to be done. The balance must be restored. Her children had to die... but in doing so there would come a cost. A cost of an innocent girl.
She would become collateral damage all because fate had decided to put her on Elijah's path.
A hand on her shoulder caused her to flinch. "You aren't having second thoughts, are you?" Finn demanded.
"Of course not," Esther muttered but the hitch in her voice easily portrayed her lie. "It's just Elijah. He's so moral. And the doppelganger's sister already cares for him deeply. I can see it."
"You're doing the right thing, mother," Finn soothed.
Esther looked forward unseeingly and put down the pen. "You understand what this means don't you? This spell I'm casting tonight will bind you together as one." Frowning, she leant back in her seat and confessed, "I have linked Elijah's girl too."
Finn's mouth was pressed in a straight line as he glanced down at the parchment and sure enough, beside Elijah's name was one other. Sophia.
His head snapped up to cast his mother a confused stare. This piece of news was new to him. What possible reason could his mother have to class Sophie Gilbert as a threat?
"I'm afraid you are going to have to elaborate," he finally stated.
Esther shook her head, lost in her memories. "Sophia Gilbert is not human. Not fully. Until tonight I thought your father had hunted her kind down to extinction but she slipped up her identity when she healed Rebekah's date."
She let out a long, tired sigh and leaned forwards, tracing a finger over Elijah's name.
"She would not have been a problem if it wasn't for her bond to Elijah," she uttered. A bond which was strengthening rapidly by the second. "As long as Sophia lives, Elijah will be immune to death. Not even the power of the white oak will kill him. That is the duty of the protector. In the larger scheme, the sacrifice of one meagre mortal life will matter not compared to the thousands of other innocent lives we will save."
At her revelation, Finn couldn't even begin to conceal his shock. He hadn't heard of the title protector for a long time. Not since Henrik...
Seeing no other way, the oldest Mikaelson sibling reluctantly nodded. Sophia was a liability. His younger brother cared for her like he did with Sage… the oldest Gilbert must be a lot more powerful than the one he had met a thousand years ago. Especially since she had Elijah, an original vampire, as her protector as well as her mate.
It was incredibly rare and something that sacred should be treasured. Finn quickly pushed the guilt to the back of his mind. "I understand. When it is time, I will be ready to die."
"Then we must complete the link," Esther said. A dagger lay on the table and when Esther picked it up, Finn obediently held out his palm. The stinging sensation of metal slicing across his flesh didn't even affect him now. A thousand years of nothing but darkness inside the confines of a box had dulled any painful sensation.
Blood seeped up from beneath his skin and Finn clenched his fist, splattering the rustic droplets onto the parchment.
A hand entwined with his own and Finn's guilt disappeared, comforted by his mother's smile as she started the spell.
The original watched on intently, still in awe of his mother's magic as he watched his blood ooze across the page, sliding across the runic names of his family members. Rebekah's, Kol's, Niklaus', Sophia's, Elijah's and finally finishing with own. The parchment resembled the drawing of a tree.
Binding his siblings and Sophia Gilbert all together by blood.
Esther's chants ceased. "The link is complete," she stated, her voice faintly echoing around the room. "You are one."
The piece of parchment burst into flames.
Once the remaining guests had departed, Elijah Mikaelson entered the living room to find Klaus leaning against the wall, arms crossed as he glared at the unmoving form of their youngest brother who was lying dead on the couch.
Silently standing by his half-brother's side, the two of them watched and waited. A rasping gasp broke the tense air as Kol's chestnut eyes snapped open. His body jerked up as he looked around wildly.
"Welcome back brother," Elijah stated casually and Klaus prowled forwards, fully intending to unleash hell on his younger sibling. Sighing, Elijah grabbed his brother's shoulder, the muscles in his hand straining as he successfully kept the hybrid in place.
A large smirk twisted across Kol's lips as watched with dark and eager eyes. Drinking in the sight of his older brother taking charge of the reins. "Ooh, has our dear brother finally summoned up the balls to put you on a leash Nik? Poor puppy. Not fun when you don't get what you want all the time now is it?"
Klaus growled, his eyes flashing a dangerous yellow. It was a clear warning and the only one Kol would get. The wolf inside him was raging, eager to pounce but still he was unable to attack.
Snarling, he turned to face Elijah, hybrid visage on full show. "I won't hesitate to bite you Brother. Let me kill my other one," he spat, the words distorted by the four sharp fangs protruding from his gums which made him sound more animal than human.
Undeterred by his brother's rage and the agonising pain of which a hybrid bite could cause, Elijah shook his head. He refused to stand down this time.
With a flash of air, he slammed his brother up against the wall, pinning him against the unforgiving brick. "Mother is upstairs Niklaus," Elijah reminded him. "Control yourself."
"Yeah Nik, control yourself," Kol taunted as he leaned back against the sofa, propping his legs up onto the coffee table in front of him. He stared intensely at his hybrid bastard of a brother, goading him to make a move.
Klaus' eyes narrowed into slits but still, he managed to restrain himself. "Don't push me Kol. Maybe the Salvatore was right in snapping your neck."
"So where is our dear sister?" Kol asked as he got to his feet.
"She left after you tried to murder her date," Klaus responded with false calm, trying to shrug himself out of Elijah's restraint but his brother still held him firm. Only Elijah was ever able to successfully see through his multiple facades.
His anger at Kol was still bubbling but he knew that he would have to go through his older brother in order to attack his youngest. Klaus may be many things but he was no fool.
The hybrid could see through Elijah's facades just as easily.
Recently, Niklaus had sensed a change in his brother. A man who was usually so composed and restrained but now... Klaus could feel the power behind the hand pinning him hard against the wall, he could almost see something animalistic stirring behind Elijah's oak eyes.
If Klaus engaged his brother in his fight, he would bet that now the odds would be pretty much even.
"Speaking of, how is the quarterback's fragile little hand? How will he ever explain to the doctor how he broke all the bones in that limb?" Kol enquired with a grin.
"Mr. Donovan won't have to," Elijah murmured and when his two brothers snapped their heads towards him, he elaborated, "His hand has healed."
Kol looked confused and slightly put out but Klaus lips twitched. "The mysterious little Sophie Gilbert," he mused and Elijah nodded. "I knew there was something different about her."
Knowing he had finally calmed down past the daggering phase, Elijah released his brother and Klaus straightened up before turning to him.
"What is she?" he demanded but his cerulean eyes were gleaming with intrigue.
The two older brother's didn't notice how abnormally silent Kol had suddenly become. The youngest original was focusing his attention on the window, staring out into the night.
Elijah paused, "I-" he trailed off as he felt an unfamiliar vibrating coming from inside his suit. Klaus arched an eyebrow and perplexed, Elijah reached into the pocket. His fingers closed over the object which had interrupted him and pulled it out.
The screen of the phone was lit up, showing one new message.
"Well I would expect you to have better taste in phone's brother. Unless you are deliberately trying to blend in with the commoners?" Kol said, leaning against the wall with his head cocked to the side as he stared disgusted at the battered contraption.
Elijah stared down at the mobile screen absentmindedly, "It's Sophia's."
Normally he wasn't one to pry into one's personal belongings and he wouldn't have done if the caller ID was not labelled Unknown. The time for debating was over; he flipped the device open.
He scanned the text... once... twice...and then his undead blood ran cold.
"Brother, what is it?" Klaus stepped forward, strangely concerned when he noticed his older brother's sudden change in composure.
Without answering, Elijah dropped the device into Klaus' awaiting palm and the hybrid quickly read it with Kol peering curiously over his shoulder.
The noble original ran a hand through his hair and for the first time in a thousand years of living, he realised what it was like to truly feel dread. An emotion such as that one could only mean one thing to a man who was concerned for a woman's safety.
Throughout his immortal life Elijah had encountered his fair share of lovers. He came to realise that Katerina had been nothing more than a passing fancy but he thought he had loved Tatia and Celeste.
That was a lie.
Those feelings were nothing in comparison with what was rapidly growing to feel for the enigma which was Sophia Gilbert and under no circumstances was he going to let her go. Not even if she fought. He would keep her safe.
As he had kept his family safe. Always and forever.
"She will be protected brother," Klaus assured his brother as he passed the phone back, the original hybrid's eyes flashing a lethal gold. "I give you my word."
"And I have to admit, I do love a good fight," Kol continued but even though his words were playful, Elijah could detect the promise behind it.
He inclined his head in gratitude and his gaze roamed back over the text once more; a cold and uncontrollable fury surging through his veins. Normally he was labelled the composed one in situations such as these but his restraint was depleting fast.
Oak eyes merged into black and veins protruded from his eyes as he read through the six words once more.
Your original can't protect you forever x
An enraged snarl escaped Elijah Mikaelson's lips. No one threatened the people he cared about and lived. Especially when the person threatened was his mate.
Whoever sent the message was going to meet a violent end. Whoever the sender was would eventually learn, in a decidedly painful and unprecedented way, what happened when you made an enemy out of the originals.
