(A.N: Hey guys, literally just posted the last chapter yesterday, in case you get confused and needed to go back a chapter. Finally we get to see a glimpse of what's going on aaaaaaaaaaand You guessed it, the appearance of Elijah! Finally right? Well the next chapter has a looooot more to it, and it's definitely going to deviate from the show at this point for my writing purposes. I offered sneak previews for reviews, cause bribery gets you everywhere right? Anyway, here you go!)
Chapter 9
Shark in the Water- V.V Brown
"Kyra, Kyra wake up, please!" I heard Elena plead, almost foggy and distant like. What happened? I tried to bring everything back into focus, trying to pinpoint the memory. Masquerade ball… Kathrine… upset Elena… "Kyra, I need you to wake up," Elena tried again.
"French Toast!" I sat up suddenly with bleary eyes while everything slowly came back to me. Someone knocked me out with a rag. Right. Well… worse things have happened… mostly. This whole kidnapping business was really trying on the nerves. I looked down at my still very tattered dress and sighed. I really did like this one too. I looked around our surroundings, nothing looking familiar. So we were both definitely kidnapped. My eyes stopped at the freshly growing bruise on my sister's cheek. Violent kidnappers… great…
"Don't scare me like that!" Elena swatted my arm. I merely raised an eyebrow at her, saying really? It's not like you haven't done it to me before. "Anyway," she pointed to two figures across the room, "that's Rose and Trevor, they're the ones that took us. They aren't really saying why, but I've gotten bits and pieces. Something about me being a doppelganger."
I groaned and put my head in my hands, trying to pull it all together before my morning snark came out to play. "I have a feeling it has to do with that moonstone cures…I don't suppose they have coffee around here do they?"
"You're both out in the middle of nowhere, if you so much as think as running, I will kill you in front of your sister," the woman named Rose threatened me while she hovered over her papers. She had an aura of a pensive nature about her while her eyes scanned the papers in front of her like their lives depended on it.
"Right," I answered, unaffected by her threat. However, with the thought on the 'no coffee' situation, I shot her a murderous glare. "What about that coffee?" I needed my life source and some sunlight otherwise this wouldn't bode well for anyone.
"Kyra!" Elena attempted to warn me. "I'm sorry, when she wakes up she has a one track mind," Elena attempted to apologize to our captors. She shot me a glare, apparently worried they'd try to hit me too for my temper. The guy Trevor got the hint and sped off to the other end of the house. Dusty, grimy, used by vampires… there's no way I'm getting my coffee. Another thing to add to my list of, 'What's going to piss off Kyra today?'
"So… we're here because you're a doppelganger," I started my list of things going on. "A curse needs broken, and this has something to do with someone Kathrine pissed off and has been running from. It smells like something she'd be involved in." I paused attempting to think about it further, brain still trying to function without my caffeinated beverage. "What'd you do to piss this… entity off? Help Kitty Kat piss it off too?" I quirked my head to the side, waiting for a reaction. "I mean she seems to have that bad habit and that looks to be at the base of so many of our problems, so…" I trailed, watching the vampire visibly tense while I rose from the dusty, filthy couch I had been placed on.
"Kyra, stop," Elena tried warning me again. Maybe it was the lack of coffee, maybe it was maybeline, but my temper wanted to take the reins. She reached out to stop me by grabbing my hand in hers. Pulling my hand back from her grip I began to step forward.
"No, I don't think I will Elena," I tilted my head dangerously, gathering what rays of light I could around me. "You see, people keep trying to take my family from me, and I don't like that," I threatened further, feeling the effects of the small rays of sunlight around me, absorbing it all. Rose jumped back, feeling her skin singe and the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. She could feel the danger radiating off me, her fight or flight instincts going into hyper-drive. "Who is coming for my sister?" I asked in a tone that screamed foreboding. "You might be afraid of whoever it may be, but I can guarantee I will kill you faster than they can get here," I attempted to intimidate the vampire in front of me. I wasn't sure if I actually could kill her, but with the practicing I've been doing, and the slowly raising rage within me, I just might be able to take her out.
Trevor took that moment to come forth with a cup of coffee. Wise man. The burning stopped as I brought myself back. Rose could only stare incredulously from the events. Handing the coffee over I plopped back down from the energy I used up in my display of power. Did I mention coffee is life?
"Wait… you're… you're her," Rose whispered to herself, an epiphany crossing her face. It was a mix between awe and horror.
Sipping generously on the crappy, but still caffeinated beverage in my hands I replied with less ire than originally, "What, I'm infamous now?"
"That was little much Ky..." Elena rolled her eyes at me.
"She hit you and kidnapped us. Don't think I didn't notice that mark on your face," I waved my free hand toward my sister's face. "Granted she's obviously on the run," I continued, "that still doesn't give her permission to be a bitch," I replied, cradling my coffee like it was an infant. "Besides, I am getting angry with all this supernatural shit coming to kill us constantly."
"You should know better than anyone who's coming for her, and now you, Lisanna," Rose told me tentatively.
"Who the hell is Lisanna? And why do people keep calling me that?" I cried out frustrated.
Rose narrowed her eyes at me. "Elijah will be here. He is one of the Original vampires. We were to deliver the doppelganger, but you were in the way. My apologies, I don't know how he will take the news of you being here as well. He's been searching for you for hundreds of years Lisanna," she added, going back to her nervous pacing over some papers on a table. Rose ignored us after that, not wanting to look me in the eye anymore.
Original? As in the first ever vampires? A shiver coursed through me involuntarily. Didn't Katherine say something about them? One thing I did know, we needed to get out of here and fast.
Rose glanced at her phone and with her vampire speed, fled the room. Trevor's body language gave away his anxious feelings. He paced with his vampire speed, making me dizzy. When she returned, Trevor and she began to argue. He wanted to run, but she on the other hand thought handing over Elena would give them favor to some Elijah guy. I heard her add something about me into the mix, but mostly ignored it. If nothing else, I could stall enough for Elena to get away from here. Really I could last until sundown minimum anyway, with best case scenario.
"So what'd you get while I was out?" I asked while the vampires were distracted with themselves, keeping a steady eye on them.
"Something about Original Vampires, the first ones in existence, and them wanting to sacrifice me to a ritual," Elena whispered back, also keeping an eye on the two vampires in the room. "They seem really scared Kyra…" Bringing a finger to her lips in a 'hush' motion, she showed me the note our witchy friend Bonnie sent us. Damon and Stefan on the way. That meant I needed to bide for time.
I nodded to her, putting my empty cup down, and stood myself back up. Like second nature, I stood in front of my sister. "So what you two are saying is an original vampire, that you both pissed off and who is super powerful, not to mention terrifying, is on his way here?"
"No, he is here," stated a smooth voice from the doorway. My senses heightened as my heart started racing. I had only felt this kind of fear in my nightmares. The man wore suit and stood in the door way. His stance, his gaze, all of it just screamed an ominous foreboding. His eyes fell to mine. Surprise overtook his features with a hint of recognition glinting in them. Who was he? Something about his face felt… familiar… "It's you." I heard him breathe out. Pulling himself back together, he looked back at Rose. "She's not the doppelganger, where is she?" he paused for a moment, gaze calculating. "Why you have her," he pointed at me, "We will get back to that momentarily."
Elena took that moment to stand by my side instead of staying behind me. I glared at her, but she merely took my hand and squeezed. We're family, we protect each other. That's what she tried to convey. With his faster than normal vampire speed, I blinked and he stood before us, a little too close to Elena. Smelling her, an astonished look donned his face.
"Human, that's not possible," he whispered to himself. In that moment, I pulled her behind me protectively. "Ah, there you are. First things first, Rose, you are pardoned, but I still have questions about her," He emphasized while waving a hand toward me. "Unfortunately, we have a long journey ahead of us and we should be going."
Elena gripped my hand tighter from behind me, looking to the other vampires she pleaded, "Please, don't let him take us."
"One last piece of business, then we're done. We have much to… discuss my dear fae," he glowered at me. What did I do to piss him off? He stepped away from us, and turned to the terrified vampire. Never thought I'd hear that one.
"I've waited so long for this day to tell you Elijah, I'm sorry, truly I am," The younger vampire whimpered, trembling under the Original's stare.
"Oh your apology is not necessary," Elijah half circled the shaking vampire, almost predatorily-like.
"Yes, it is," he hyperventilated, his eyes never leaving the floor before him. He knew, anyone could tell from the look on face. His death was imminent. "You trusted me with Katarina, and I failed you."
"While yes you are the guilty one," Elijah responded, voice laced with a façade of sympathy. "Rose only aided you then because she was loyal to you, now that I honor." He took a dramatic pause. "Where was your loyalty?"
"I beg your forgiveness," he finally met Elijah's eyes, terror deeply rooted in them.
"Elena, don't watch," I whispered. I could sense what was coming. These 'Original's' were vampire royalty. This vampire committed treason. While Rose could strike a deal for mercy, the other one's was considered inexcusable and traitorous.
"So granted," Elijah nodded. Without a long enough pause for me to look away, Elijah cut off the predator's head before me with nothing but his hand. Horror written on my face, I couldn't look away. I heard Elena's gasp as she gazed at the headless vampire in front us. I heard Rose breakdown to the side, my eyes never leaving the dead body. This man just killed her only family.
"Y-you," she breathed out in between sobs.
"Don't Rose," he warned. "You just got your freedom. Now tell me, how did you find her," he pointed to me after wiping his hand off.
"I-I didn't. She was collateral damage that came with the doppelganger," Rose nearly collapsed, staring at her beheaded family. "We didn't know who she was…"
"I see," he rolled off his lips contemplatively. "So tell me, Fae, what do you call yourself this time around?" Elijah asked me, an angry tone to his voice. What did I do? Fae?
"F-Fae?" I stuttered, fear obviously showing on my face. "Who… who are you?" I shook uncontrollably, looking between him and the body. Elijah's face briefly showed his surprise before he went back to his stoic expression. Elena decided to take her turn to protect me this time, swinging me behind her.
"You don't remember me," Elijah spoke softly to himself more so than me. Elena made sure she kept herself between us.
"What do you want with Kyra?!" Elena asked bravely, ignoring her own situation like mine mattered more.
"What happened to you, Kyra was it?" the man before me asked, ignoring my sister.
"L-look, I don't know who you are or what you want," I stuttered. The man before me just exuded power in the most terrifying way. I felt like I had been staring into the brown eyes of a tiger. Entranced and petrified all at the same time. After what happened to Trevor, I didn't want Stefan and Damon to find us. They could get themselves killed!
He went to reply, but fast movement brought us from our confusing encounter. Elijah looked around irritated, ready to blame Rose.
"It isn't me!" she exclaimed.
"Over here!" Came a call from the back, causing Elijah to follow the disembodied voice to the back of the house, and Rose to flee. Just as that happened, I saw Elena disappear before my eyes. Good, that means she's safe, probably with Stefan. Another quick movement caught my eye, that one must be Damon.
"Here!" said another voice from a different side of the house, causing the Original to speed toward the voice again. While they did that, Damon clutched my shoulders and sped off, making my stomach jump to my throat for a moment. Damon brought a finger to his lips in a Shh motion. I was too busy trembling, scared and confused to argue.
"Tell you what," Elijah's voice called out, not far enough away from me. "If you hand over the Fairy and Doppelganger, I'll end your life quickly and you won't suffer." Damon looked at me and mouthed 'Fairy?' I merely shrugged, trying to keep my breathing even. I could hear Elijah walking toward our hiding places. "Or," his voice drawled on, giving us an ultimatum. "Or you just give me the fairy, and I'll let the rest of you go for now." Damon eyed me incredulously while I tried to steel my nerves. He had never seen me this afraid, and I'd never felt this kind of danger. Looking at my sister across the room in their hiding place, I knew what I had to do. Damon tried to hold me back, but I singed his hand with some of my stored sunlight and jumped into the open. I stared him down, trying to be brave from the top of the stairs.
"L-leave them alone. They were only trying to help us," I whispered shakily, knowing his vampire senses could hear me. "Please, just leave my sister out of it."
He eyed me curiously, "Sister? How peculiar… The other lives you were an only child."
"Other… lives?" I questioned. "I- I don't understand," I couldn't help but stammer.
He brought his hand up to my face, a gentle caress to my cheek that I didn't expect. "There is no need to fear me Lisanna. No harm will ever come to you from my hand," He whispered to me, bringing his face closer to mine as if we were old lovers. I froze. I didn't know what to do, who he was and why did he know all of these things that I didn't even know. Was any of it even true? I thought he was mad at me for something earlier, and now… He didn't get to move any closer, as his body flew into the wall with an almost sickening thud. I felt like the wind got knocked out of me for a moment. Damon seethed next to me for a moment.
"Don't you EVER, do that again," he fumed. Before he continued, Elijah threw him from my side, and followed after him. His hand was aimed for Damon's throat. Before I could scream out a No! Stefan came to his brother's rescue. I couldn't keep up with the movements in front of me, but the next thing I could see was Elijah staked through the heart and pinned to the wall. Pain erupted from my chest and stars danced across my vision. What just happened?! Everything hurt, I couldn't move, I could barely let out a strangled gasp for breath.
"Kyra!" Elena called out, rushing to my side after my legs collapsed under me. Too much stress. Too many ancient vampires. And too many unanswered questions! "Kyra, look at me, it's okay."
"What's going on with her? This isn't like you," Damon trudged over to me, hooking his arm under my legs while supporting my back. "I gotcha Ky, come on, you're safe now," he attempted to soothe.
"He isn't dead," I voiced, all emotion drained from my voice, only slightly weak from pain. "I don't know how I know, I just do. We need to leave, now," I urged, holding onto my friend's neck, burying my face into his chest for comfort, trying to calm the fear in myself. After getting us both to the car, I turned my head toward my sister. "Why does he think he knows me? He called me a Fairy, are those even a thing?! Are Fairies a thing now?!" I started to panic, wheezing out more questions. "And something about past lives? I don't get it! Why does my chest hurt Elena?" I asked the last part weakly. To say the least, my composure was shot. I had officially hit meltdown mode… yet again. I tried so hard this last week to pull myself together. All for nothing.
"Hey!" Damon nearly shouted to get through my hysteria. "Calm down, he's dead, you two are safe, let's get out of here," he waved Elena to get into the car.
"He isn't dead Damon! A bigger stake isn't just going to kill an Original vampire!" I screamed at him, the pain in my chest easing ever so slowly. "Those vampires were terrified of him. Do you really think they wouldn't just kill him if they could?"
Damon just rolled his eyes and threw me in the back seat. "Hurry up and get buckled in, if she's right, we need to get out of here, now," he ushered, jumping into the driver's seat.
Elena wrapped me in to a hug as soon as the door closed and the car took off. "I'm so sorry this is happening Kyra. All of this is my fault," she whispered mournfully to me.
Pulling Elena into one of my own bone crushing hugs with everything I had left in me, I tell her the same thing I always tell her, "Sisters forever, family protects each other."With a yawn I added, "Besides, you heard him. He's after me too."
"That's nice sisterly bonding and everything, but let's get back to that stunt you pulled back there Fairy dust," Damon glared at me through the rearview mirror. "Could you both do us a favor and stop pulling that asinine martyr crap? That'd save us quite a few headaches. We in agreement? Great."
I didn't bother arguing with him like normal, I just didn't have it in me. I couldn't tell where we were, but I did know my eyes felt heavy. Before I knew it, I had fallen into a light sleep in Elena's lap. I listened to them whispering back and forth, trying not to wake me up.
"She must be pretty shook up, no comeback AND she's fast asleep back there," Damon eyed his brother with concern.
"What do you think he wants with her?" Elena voiced her worries while she absentmindedly ran her fingers through my hair. She knew how to keep me calm, that's for sure.
"I get why he wants you, doppelganger curse mumbo jumbo crap, but what's he want from Kyra? Pixie dust?" I heard Damon's voice drip with his normal sarcasm. "I mean fairies though? Really?"
"We did just find out about werewolves Damon, so obviously there's more stuff out there than what we know. Whatever it is, we're going to need to find out. You said your parents adopted her when she was eight right?" Stefan asked from his place in the front. Good ole reliable Stefan, using brains not brawn. "What about before that? What happened?"
Elena got quiet for a second, trying to decide the best course of action, I almost heard the gears turning in her head from my position. Finally she replied, "She doesn't really talk about it, I know she doesn't remember much either. I remember Sheriff Forbes brought her by one day, and she seemed kinda scared. I don't know what happened, she just ended up staying with us after that."
"We should find out more, maybe it will help lead us in the right direction," Stefan added. Or, you know, you could not, dude. The awkward turtle was about to be swimming up with the way this conversations was headed.
"Where better to find out than the source? Hey, Tinkerbell, wakey wakey," Damon reached back and moved my leg to get me to stir. "I already know you're up princess, I heard your heart pick up."
"Damon!" Elena chastised, shooting him a harsh glare.
"I'm up, Jesus, Damon. What got up your ass today?" I huffed, sitting myself up in my seat. A little dizziness hit me, but not too much. The pain had almost completely faded.
"The cross that you keep trying to die on got shoved up there nicely. Maybe if you're a good girl I'll let you take it out later," he quirked back at me, derision written on his face in the mirror. "But that's for the pillow talk. Now, what does an Original want with you?"
"Hell if I know, I didn't even know I was a fairy remember?" I bit back at him. What was wrong with him? Elena's safe, and we were almost home right? Maybe it's because I didn't stop it from happening in the first place. I mean he's definitely in love with her, what with the whole kissing Katherine thinking she was Elena thing. So I guess I could that putting him in a foul mood. My power was supposed to help prevent this kind of thing from happening. That's why I practiced so much right?
"What about when you were eight? What happened then?" Stefan pressed from his side, ignoring his brother like normal.
"That's not something that I want to talk about, and it's not relevant anyway," I brushed them off. Damon looked like he wanted to argue more about my evasiveness.
I watched intently while Stefan silenced his brother with a look before turning to look at me. "At this point Kyra, we need whatever we can use. We just want to make sure you're both safe, that's all," he tried his soothing voice on me. That sort of thing only worked on Elena.
"It isn't relevant because the last thing I can remember is walking down the road for hours, alone, covered in blood, and hurt at eight years old. Then having the Sheriff pick me up and take me to the hospital just to have them tell me that there wasn't a scratch on me," I heatedly bit out. I don't like talking about it. It's awkward, it's uncomfortable, and I just don't like it. They got the hint and let it drop. Damon became uncharacteristically silent. That was a first, and I can add that to the list of reasons I don't talk about it. No one knows what to say, or do, and it just gets weird. Finally after that long, awkward, silence, we made it back to their house.
"You two are staying at our place, that's final," Damon argued, getting out of the car. "You two obviously can't be left alone," Damon glared between Elena and me after opening my car door. "Gave brother dearest and me a heart attack, metaphorically speaking of course, when we couldn't find you. Add in this 'Original', and well for all of our sakes, let's just hang out here tonight?" I heard the exasperation in his voice.
Elena went to roll her eyes, but Stefan quickly added, "As much as I hate agreeing with him, I think he's right this time. We'll get Kyra settled in to recover from, well… whatever just happened. How are you feeling by the way?" he directed the last part at me.
"The pain in my chest feels better, but I'm still really confused I guess… Guys, he talked to me like he knew me. How is that even possible?" I asked. I started to pull myself from the car only to have an arm beneath my legs and pulling me up before I protested. I merely glared at Damon from my compromised position. "I'm okay now Damon, I promise, I can walk just fine." I felt Elena eyeballing the vampire holding me, putting things together in her head, that to be frank, I never would have put in the same thought.
"You two aren't a thing now, are you?" she asked, not able to help herself. I almost wanted to laugh. Hadn't Damon proved enough he loved her? He wasn't a bad guy. He just made bad choices from time to time with horrific ramifications. "I mean, not to get off topic, and it's not like I would judge or anything… it's just…you know…" she back tracked, trying to insinuate that I am an adult and can make my own decisions. I knew she just worried too much.
I rolled my eyes while adding with snark, "He wishes. I said I can walk jackass." I felt myself relax again, becoming the me I normally was whilst the adrenaline and feelings of overwhelming dread wore off. "Besides," I whispered so he could hear me, "you and I both know who you really have feelings for." He furrowed his brow, trying to decide what to do before he answered. That sounded like a jealous girlfriend, and maybe I was a little jealous but I didn't really have the right to be.
"Alright, that's it, put a pin in our group pow-wow conversation, I need to talk to this little shit alone," he adjusted me, indicating I was the little shit. With his vampire speed, he ran with me into the house, abruptly tossing me none too gracefully onto his bed.
"What is your problem Damon?!" I huff out annoyed.
"My problem?! MY problem?!" he ran a hand over his face showing his frustration. "My problem is you and your damn sister just falling onto each other's swords like that's okay. Your life means something. Stop trying to throw it away for your damn sister," he scowled.
"You know that's not going to happen Damon," I pushed back. "And why does it matter? Everyone else tries to do it all the time, but you're fine with that. And you, you do the same thing, why is it suddenly an issue when I do it?!" I raised my voice at him. Who did he think he was?
He stared me down long and hard, neither one of us breaking eye contact. Before I knew what was happening, he lunged forward. He grasped my face in his hands and crashed his lips onto mine with such hunger I became helpless to its power over me. I melted into his kiss, my arms foreign to me as they played through his hair on their own. My mouth parted enough to accept his invasive tongue, my throat letting loose a satisfied moan. He pulled apart just long enough for me to take off his shirt followed by my own. Damn hormones.
"You're sleeping in here tonight," he sighed contently. He trailed kisses down my neck to my collar bone, leaving a new sensation behind every kiss. My body felt like fire coursed through my veins. I definitely didn't expect this to happen.
"Wait," I stopped myself. "Wait, Damon, stop," I said a little louder.
Irritation evident on his face, he barely paused to ask, "What?"
"What just happened?" I asked, obviously confused.
"I was about to make a fairy fly with very happy, very dirty, thoughts," Damon smirked up at me from his current position.
"Funny, Damon, I meant what is this," I waved between us. "I'm not some chick you can just mess around with because you can," I eyeballed him. "And definitely not just because Elena isn't giving into your charms."
"Why do you keep bringing this back to Elena?!" he cried out frustrated, letting his head fall onto my chest.
"Maybe because you tried to kiss her?" I prompted him with a shake of my head.
"Right, that, we never got around to me explaining that. We were talking on the porch, we had gotten really close, and I was talking to her about you. Then, she kissed me. Granted, I should have pushed her off, but I also really wanted to piss off Stefan," Damon smirked at me with his trademark 'Damon smirk'.
Taken aback, I asked, "What do you mean talked about me?"
"We were discussing how miraculous it was that you, somewhere down the line, deemed me worth saving and risking your life for. How I didn't deserve it, but you thought so anyway," he told me gently, staring into my soul. Breaking his trance, he added in his usual demeanor, "I'm starting to think she was jealous of both you and Elena, so she wanted to make problems."
I sighed again, just accepting his poor life choices. "Okay fine. That still doesn't explain why you get so mad at me for trying to keep Elena safe."
"Didn't you hear yourself a minute ago? Do I really need to explain this further or is that sun light stuff getting to your head?" He gazed at me, his piercing blue eyes searching mine. Breathing out, he quoted, "'You let everyone else do it, why not me?' Why do you think Kyra?"I stared at him, making sure to keep my mouth closed. "I don't care about what happens to anyone else. I care about what happens to you," he stared into my eyes intensely with his beautiful blue orbs. He didn't mean that. There was just no possible way.
I rolled my eyes, pulling his head out of my chest by his hair. "Right, so that's why you were half naked with Katherine," I narrowed my eyes at him. If I was any other girl, I would jump him anyways. I, fortunately, was not just any other girl.
He grunted in annoyance, pushing himself up off the bed. "You never let me explain any of that. It was heated, I wanted answers, and I knew how to get them. It didn't actually mean anything," His icy blue eyes bore into my own intensely. I hated when he did that, it made me want to believe him.
I broke eye contact by rolling my eyes again, something I found myself doing often in his presence. "Right, well, we should get back downstairs, Stefan probably wants to talk more about the stuff, and uh… things," I trailed, jumping off his bed and putting my shirt back on. Avoiding feelings was key right?
Damon rolled his own gorgeous and very vibrant, blue eyes at me, but he got up anyway. "Fine," he added, "But we aren't done here." We made our way back down the stairs to my sister and Stefan. I put myself ahead of Damon, hoping some distance would help clear my head.
"Kyra, is everything okay?" Elena pounced the moment I came into sight. She must have picked up on Damon's broody mood the way she looked between us.
"Yea," I waved her off. "I have an idea though," I offered. It had been on my mind ever since we found out Bonnie was a witch. Damon tilted his head curiously, wondering when I would have had a moment to think up an idea. "I'm going to ask Bonnie to help me remember."
Elena's brows furrowed with worry at the thought. "But, Kyra," she said carefully, "What about your nightmares? What if they're real?"
I shrugged, trying to be indifferent at this point. To be truthful, the thought scared the ever living shit out of me. As it stood, those nightmares are just what they are, nightmares. If they were real, then it really happened and I would have to find a way to come to terms with those memories. "Then I'll deal with PTSD as we go? I don't know, either way I need to remember before whatever happened, happened. It could help us out in the long run, especially if I'm supposed to know an Original that's trying to kill you. Besides, what's the worst that could happen?"
"Pain, agony, suffering, you know, generally unpleasant things," Damon quipped up, tense behind me.
"I'll just have to remember, they're just memories. That's all," I attempted to soothe their worries. "Fine, can we at least talk to Bonnie tomorrow about it?"
"It could definitely give us an edge," Stefan inputted from Elena's side. Elena turned to her boyfriend, a look of betrayal on her face. Damon shot him a deadly glare until he added, "But we can do that after we get more information. Damon can go talk to Sheriff Forbes tomorrow and get Kyra's case file and find more out that way. After that we can decide where to go, sound good?"
"I guess that's okay," I nodded. "You two can snoop, tell me what you find and we can decide where to go from there," I reiterated, exhaustion finally settling in.
"I think it's time we call it a night, it's been a long day," Stefan pointed out the obvious. Elena looked like she wanted to argue, but a stern look from Stefan stopped her. "Goodnight you two," he waved to us, leading my sister back to his room, kissing her any time she looked like she'd protest.
"Didn't we just talk about that falling on a sword thing?" Damon broke the silence, his face telling me everything. Mad, but not pissed, so that's always good. "It's like talking to a brick wall with you."
"I'm not putting myself in danger Damon," I rolled my eyes, yet again. "This is completely different. Can we just drop it? Please?" I asked him tiredly. I watched him debate with himself from beneath my eyelashes. I thought he'd start fighting with me more, but I guess I looked as tired as I felt.
"All right, let's get you in bed Tink," he guided me by my shoulders back to his room. "You know, if you roll your eyes much more, they're gonna get stuck that way," he pointed out to me. I didn't bother to retort, the exhaustion had hit me like a freight train. "We'll talk more tomorrow." He surprised me when he placed a tender kiss on my forehead. Climbing into his bed, I fell asleep nearly the instant I hit those blankets. I don't remember when but I ended up tucked under his chin while he caressed my back. I thought I heard hi m whisper, "I'm not going to let anything happen to you Ky, I promise." This position felt familiar. He smelled like leather and cologne I noticed, as I drifted off to sleep.
The room fell away around me. There was only me walking through a fog, and up to an unfamiliar house, with an unfamiliar fence, and an unfamiliar door. My feet lead the way as if they had a mind of their own. This wasn't like any dream I'd ever had, and it felt so… real. I didn't bother to knock because despite not remembering this place, and regardless of the details around me, I knew there was something in there for me, and only me. "Maybe some answers," I thought aloud. I followed the sound of a piano that drifted down the white stairs adorned with a well trafficked red rug, the faded white paint chipping from the old wooden hand rail. The floors creaked while I followed the sad tone in a trance. What was going on? Am I in the Phantom of the Opera? Following the voice of Moonlight Sonata to a broken piano with a depressing ending to its love story? One way or another, I had to find out.
"Kyra, isn't it?" the Original vampire from yesterday called out to me from his spot behind the surprisingly clean piano. It stood out in the dusty room, the only bright and clean thing in it. Almost like a beacon in this abysmal room. "That's your name this time around, correct?" The sad love story in the piano tune of Moonlight Sonata began to turn into something more light hearted, and hopeful. Claire De Lune?
"What do you mean?" I asked tense but unafraid. Why is that? I feel like I'm floating… wait… "Did you compel me? Is that why I'm here?" I asked incredulously. Stefan and Damon couldn't, but if this guy was an Original…
A soft chuckle escaped his lips. His chocolate brown eyes gazed softly into my own and his hands never left the ivory keys. "No… I'm afraid not, Kyra," he said my name as if testing the way it sounded on his tongue. "Even back then I couldn't compel you either. That might have something to do with your fae bloodlines," he explained. His eyes were much kinder than when I first met him. It was disconcerting. "You're asleep right now, and with the connection we share, I'm able to come to this place in your dreams when we are apart. We used to do this quite often you know," He smiled with a remembrance in it that made my heart skip a beat. "It wasn't nearly as dark as it is now, but I suspect it has much to do with why you can't remember me."
"How did you-" I started to ask. My mind couldn't stop skipping back and forth like a table tennis match. "How is this- Is this real? What do you mean this time around? What did you mean fairy? Just who the hell are you?!"I called out, frustration breaking through my calm pretense.
He stopped playing then. Standing to lean against the piano, he crossed his arms and eyed me suspiciously like I could be hiding something from him. He decided to answer me with a question of his own, "Why don't you remember me? That's the better question. Of course, it also appears you remember nothing else of your past as well. Strange… you used some of your abilities back at that house did you not? How did you use them if you did not know you are of the fae?"
"I thought I was just some sun witch or freaky plant thing," I replied, looking away from his tensely searching dark eyes.
"None of this adds up Kyra. What happened in this lifetime? I thought I'd never see you again, and here you are, three hundred years later, seemingly no memory but still able to access your power," he pondered out loud, circling me like the predator I knew he was.
"I don't remember much of anything before I was eight. Sometimes I think I do, but it just turns into nightmares," I tried, crossing my arms in front of me protectively, attempting to shield myself. Why did I explain any this to him? What am I trying to defend myself for? "Why am I even telling you this, you're trying to take my sister!"
"If you want answers, meet me on the Lockwood property in two days," he offered. Neither a hint of malice nor any underlying deceit colored his voice.
"But why? Couldn't you just kill me and take my sister then?" I stared him down. What was the catch here?! "And why two days?"
"Unfortunately, I have some business I must attend to," he told me with a soft look, smoothing out his dream suit. "Kyra, you might not remember it now, but I am a man of honor, and I swear to you always; no harm will ever come to you at my hands," the strength he held in his vow nearly shook me with surprise. I did need answers. Maybe he could give them to me. "Besides, I couldn't kill you even if I wanted to. I don't possess the nightshade, nor do I have the desire to cause myself more pain than you have already unknowingly inflicted upon me."
Before I could add anything intelligible to the conversation, the setting around us had begun to change drastically. "What's going on now?" I asked a little salty. This week had not been my idea of fun.
"It appears you're beginning to lapse into your dreams Kyra," he answered, looking around curiously. I had a massive wave of anxiety hit me at the thought. It was like I was stuck in that perpetual freefall feeling while my heart thundered in my chest, trying to break free. Even with shallow breaths, my heart rate wouldn't slow."Is everything alright?" Elijah asked, worry sprinkling his voice.
"I don't want to go back to those dreams again," I whispered, tears starting to form in the corner of my eyes. I could feel myself regress back into that eight year old that wandered down the road, no memories, just covered in blood and sore. I looked down, remembering what I wore. The bright white sun dress that fell past my little eight years old self's knees appeared while my physical stature regressed. I watched the crimson red blood seep through slowly. I needed to let myself become numb. I needed to find a way to switch off my fear. No one could help me here. I was alone.
"Kyra what's happening?" Elijah asked, kneeling before me and grabbing my little hands into his desperately trying to understand the situation.
"You aren't here Elijah, you aren't real. They're going to hurt me again, they're going to find me," I voiced in a helpless monotone. The emptiness I needed to feel to get through this nightmare had consumed me.
Fraught with worry, he grabbed my shoulders gently. His eyes searched my dark, vacant ones. "You need to wake up Kyra, please. I'll help you, but you need to wake up. Kyra," he pleaded.
"KYRA!" I jolted with a start to my name being yelled, bringing me back to reality. Sort of. My fogged dream had half of my mind still in my eight year old dream-plane body. In my nightmare hazed state, I dashed out of bed and tried hiding beside a dresser. My heart was still pounding and eyes focused on a place that was no longer in front of me.
"Kyra, it's just me," the voice said softer this time. My eyes started to focus on the environment around me. I remembered where I was. Now familiar brown eyes flashed before me, slowly turning back into the brilliant blue I had become accustomed to. It was his face. The one I kept seeing everywhere before we even met. Damon sat crouched before me, his hand cupping my face gently, wiping away only what I could assume were tears on my cheeks. "Hey, its okay, you're safe here Ky, I've got you," he murmured, pulling me into him. He let me sit there, and just held me like I needed him to for a good thirty minutes before I composed myself. Was I still asleep?
"I'm sorry," I apologized, looking back up to him. "I guess that didn't reassure you too much huh?" I chuckled humorlessly.
"Maybe we should hold off on Bonnie bringing back whatever that," he waved his hands, "was."
"I think… I think I need to do this Damon. I think there's so much more I'm supposed to remember than just what happened. If I have to relive that then… then I'm just going to have to. It's not like I don't have to live with these anyway," I shrug, running a hand through my bed head to straighten it out some. I had made up my mind at this point. I felt fed up not knowing who and what I was. "What time is it?" I asked, cutting off his early morning arguments and snark.
"Seven, in the morning. Come on, let's get you back in bed," he tried to usher me toward the plush and overly comfortable duvet.
"Sorry, wide awake now. I'm going to go get some stuff to make breakfast. Go back to sleep okay? I need some fresh air anyway. Not to mention coffee," I replied, jumping back up to metaphorically pull myself together. I needed air. Everything just seemed suffocating in this room and too enclosed. I could see Damon about to oppose the idea, so I did something I wouldn't usually do. I gave him a quick kiss to stall him and added, "We're here in Mystic Falls now right? Elijah wouldn't come after me in broad daylight. So no worries. Besides, I need to go let Aunt Jenna know we crashed here last night."
"Then let me-"
"You're not coming with me. I need a moment alone, that's all okay?" I smile softly at him and his concern. "I just need to process some things by myself, that's all. I promise."
"Fine," he rolled his eyes, "But don't expect me to let you be gone longer than an hour without someone with you."
"You act like I can't handle a vampire by myself," I raised a brow challengingly, hands on my hip in defiance.
"An Original vampire is a whole new ball game sweet heart. We don't even know how to handle this yet, magical fairy blood stuff or not," he waved at me up and down. Sighing in defeat after I gave him a heated glare, he finally yielded again, "Okay, okay. But if anything happens, call me. Don't do that damn thing you do. And we still have to have talk when you get back, got it?" he called after me while I tried to leave before he could finish.
"Can't remember what you mean!" I called back to him, knowing he could hear me. I couldn't help the smile that caressed my face while I walked out of the house. I never expected this of all things to happen to me, and with Damon of all people. Sure Damon can be rough around the edges, but I can see the good. Deep, deep, deep, down there. It's just a little hidden from hurt and years of pain.
I made it around the block before a hand covered my mouth from behind me. My scream muffled, I kicked my feet out into the air. The sun gathered about me as I began to burn the assailant's hand with my own. "Kyra, wait," the voice commanded, not even a hint of pain shadowing through. Turning around, I froze. "I just wanted to make sure you were all right," the voice offered its concern. The Original from my dream stood before me.
"How did you know where I was?" I questioned, my courage returning to me again. Original or not, I was tired of these games and questions that just posed more questions than answers. "Did that dream thing actually happen? What the hell is going on?!" I cursed out at him frustrated. He could only stare at me for a moment, an awestruck look on his face.
"It really is you. Despite not knowing who you truly are, you still have a semblance of who you were. It troubled me when I first saw you back at that house, but I knew," he rambled to himself, walking closer to me with every word.
I took a step back from him, making him stop his trek. "Listen, I might not be absolutely terrified of you anymore, but I still don't know you." I shook my head. "I might have a solution though," I offered him after seeing his face fall in dismay. I'm not sure why, but that look didn't sit well with me. "I have a friend, that might be able to help me remember," I clarified.
"Don't," he stopped me suddenly. Now that brought on suspicion. Why wouldn't he want me to remember? "If your mind locked itself to you, there must have been a reason. This isn't something you should just dive into without precautions," he chastised me. "At least let me help you, and you'll get all of the explanations you need. Please, just don't do anything rash," his eyes begged me to listen to him. I almost wanted to. Almost.
"Why does everyone assume I'll do something rash?" I mumbled out, sass hinting in my tone.
"Call it experience," Elijah smiled fondly at me. "For now, Elijah Michaelson, at your service," he bowed. Taking my hand in his, he brushed his lips across my knuckles. Releasing my hand, he stood up. "Should you ever need me, just call my name. I will be there in a heartbeat," he promised me. His chocolate brown eyes told me he meant it.
"That might be hard since you don't have one," I shrugged. "A heartbeat, that is." Even with my sass and attitude, he only smiled at me warmly. Who was he supposed to be to me? Obviously we were either close or he's delusional. I'm not sure which I'd prefer at this point. "Anyway, I have things to do. I'll see you in two days at the Lockwoods."
He looked surprised. "Trust me already?" Cheeky bastard.
"No, you just have a lot of explaining to do Lucy, and I'll need to find a way around my sister and our self appointed body guards," I waved him off. I paused for a moment, debating what I wanted to admit to him. "I just… I want to know why I've been seeing your face, everywhere…"I whispered, mostly to myself. I made my way back down the street to my intended destination: Coffee. There were three things that helped me concentrate and figure things out; coffee, music, and my spot. Unfortunately, I only had access to one for now, I would have to get to the other two later. I don't know what it was about that smirk on his face that made him look so handsome to me, but the feeling was there, and it just confused me even more. Instead I decided merely glared at him over my shoulder and continued back to my route to the coffee shop. That's it, it's because I haven't had coffee, so I'm just losing my mind.
Now I have Damon, Elena, not so much Stefan but he's up there, and an Original vampire watching me like a hawk because… because he cares? I'm not sure why he would though.
That might have been the last push I needed. I couldn't stand not knowing anymore. Walking into the coffee shop, I pulled out my phone and dialed Bonnie's number. She picked up after the first ring.
"Oh my god! Are you guys okay? Did you get my message?!" she yelled through the speaker.
"Bonnie, I'm gonna need you to take it down a notch. I'll tell you everything, can you meet me here at the cafe? I'm going to need your help…" I spoke with determination into my phone.